Nevada is ahead of the pack when it comes to legal gambling, both live and online. While three states now possess laws allowing it, operations for online gambling have so far only commenced in Nevada, while Delaware and New Jersey are working to get things started later this year. In this guide we’ll look at the laws which have enabled this situation for Nevada, the current state for online casino play, and the future outlook for the state.
Since Ultimate Poker opened its doors to Nevada residents for online poker [1] at the beginning of May 2013, there has been widespread expectation amongst Nevadans that they will see online casinos catering to the state springing up, alongside of course further sites offering online poker. There will undoubtedly be more online poker sites following in the wake of Ultimate poker, including WSOP.com which is already running play money games. However, the situation is not going to be so straightforward for online casinos, for specific legal reasons which we will examine in this guide.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board continues to experiment with new ways for residents and visitors to wager on sports. In recent years, the board has approved betting on awards like the Heisman Trophy, professional entry drafts like the NFL draft, and even video game competitions like the Golden Tee World Championship. Nevada is ahead of the pack when it comes to legal gambling, both live and online. While three states now possess laws allowing it, operations for online gambling have so far only commenced in Nevada, while Delaware and New Jersey are working to get things started later this year. In this guide we’ll look at the laws which have enabled this situation for Nevada, the current state for online. Legal Online gambling is taking Nevada by storm, these online sites are established in overseas countries but are legal for Nevada residents to play. Since everyone already knows about the casinos, poker, and sports betting Nevada’s notorious for, instead I want to focus on the legal Online gambling in Nevada.
What online gambling can I legally do in Nevada?
As far as state law is concerned, you can legally wager on online poker sites licensed to run in Nevada. However the Gaming Control Act [2] which has allowed this development with online poker does not currently include provision for online casino games, meaning that unlike New Jersey and Delaware, no-one in Nevada is currently preparing to launch licensed online casinos. There are developments in the works which some dare to hope might allow for this to happen, but also a number of stumbling blocks still in the way.
While Ultimate Poker currently hold the monopoly on real money online poker wagering in Nevada, this will be a short lived affair, with a number of other sites due to open soon. Online casino betting is certainly a matter of interest to many parties in Nevada, because as is well known, poker constitutes a tiny percentage of profits derived from physical casino betting, and the same is likely to hold for online play. The number of online poker players would be dwarfed by those who would log on to wager in casino games.
This is why there is such business excitement surrounding the laws being passed in New Jersey, as they seemingly allow online casino betting as well as poker. For this to apply in Nevada would require laws to be passed, or at least the existing Act to be amended, something which cannot occur in legislation until the next meeting of the Nevada Legislature in two years’ time.
A number of partnerships between tech companies and brick-and-mortar casinos are in the works at the moment, as a result of these changes in state legislation, most notably between Caesar’s Entertainment Corp and 888 Holdings.[3]
One thing you can definitively do from Nevada is wager on Nevada-licensed online sports betting sites. Nevada is the only state in which sport betting is legal, taxed, and regulated [4]. It is the only state where you can wager on single event sports, legally that is. Delaware is hard on Nevada’s heels in this regard.
Read More State Laws
Are There Any New Nevada Online Casino / Gambling Developments?
Several developments are on-going in the rapidly changing face of Nevada gaming law.
First of all, a new law has been passed allowing Nevada to operate and pursue business links interstate [5], which is a complex development whose ramifications both within the state and nationwide are not yet entirely clear. The state law allows other states to work with Nevada in allowing access to Nevada licensed online poker.
A similar bill is being passed in New Jersey, and it is widely believed that the two states are in a “race” to capitalise on this possibility of increasing traffic to the licensed sites. It is not yet known what the response will be to this on a federal level [6].
It is clear, however, from a legal perspective that this specific move will not necessarily pave the way for any licensed casino websites in Nevada, as can be seen from this legal advice [7] published on the Nevada Gaming Commission website.
As is well understood from the Pokerstars precedent, no site which continued to act illegally in accepting US players after 2005 (after this was deemed illegal) will be allowed to gain a license in Nevada for a period of ten years. Known as the “bad actor clause” , the consequence of this is that none of the major online casinos which have turned a blind eye to US players’ wagers in recent years would stand a chance at getting licensing, even if the law currently allowed casino wagering under the new Gaming Act.
Present law in Nevada also restricts the capacity to enter the online gaming market [8], essentially to those who can afford a half million dollars for the license, and in practice mostly to existing major casino resorts. Some have complained that this is strangling an emergent market, but others claim that it’s essential to reduce competition.
The fact is that for those wishing to play licensed casino games online, it remains somewhat positive that the major players likely to be running licensed poker gaming will be connected to major resorts whose dominant form of land-based profit comes from non-poker wagering such as roulette and other house games. It is presumed that these bodies will be lobbying for laws to be passed which expand the remit for online wagering to include casino type games.
Another recent law, passed at Nevada state and Senate level, was the provision for entity betting. In simple terms, this would allow entities such as groups or companies to place bets on sports as well as for individuals to do so. This bill “disappeared” at Assembly level [9], which frequently means that the powers that be do not feel the time is right to attempt to pass it. Even those who lobbied for the bill do not have clarity on what will happen next with this one, nor on how it might relate to online wagering.
What is the Future for Legal Online Gambling in Nevada?
This is the million dollar question, but it is still impossible to answer at this point in time.
It may be that those resorts which achieve licenses for online gaming begin by offering poker, push ahead with interstate gaming without incurring federal action, and eventually lobby for and achieve legislation for casino betting too. It is however certain this couldn’t occur without further laws being passed or amended.
Of course it may also be that the tide turns the other way, that the interstate gaming is stamped out federally, and that Americans in Nevada and elsewhere have to choose between playing live casino games in a physical Vegas resort, wagering on sites which are welcoming US players illegally, or just not playing casino games.
What Could Happen to Me if I Play at Online Casinos in Nevada?
You’d need to consult a lawyer for a more definitive answer, but even they might not give you one. The consensus seems to be that it’s likely nothing would happen to you personally, unless you were unlucky enough to have money lost that was in an online account held by a company indicted or shut down for allowing US players. We of course do not condone such activity. If you want to stay within the letter of the law, and only play on sites which are legally licensed, you won’t be playing online casino games in Nevada any time too soon. Nonetheless there is change in the air in Nevada and in the USA itself with regard to this issue at this point in time. A lot can happen in two years, so watch this space.
References for this Article
- [1]NYDailyNews.com: Online poker is back: First legal website launches in Nevada
- [2]Gaming.nv.gov: Nevada Gaming Control Act and Ancillary Statutes
- [3]Americangaming.org: Sports Wagering
- [4]ReviewJournal.com: Internet wagering attracts crowd; how will Nevada fare?
- [5]MarketPlace.org: In Nevada, online gambling poised to go interstate
- [6]ABCNews.com: What’s next after Nevada legalizes online interstate gaming
- [7]Gaming.NV.Gov: Reply Comments Concerning Interstate Agreements for Interactive Gaming
- [8]Lasvegassun.com: Only bing fish allowed to swim in Nevada’s online gambling
- [9]CalvinAyre.com: Entity betting legislation fizzles out in Nevada
Best Nevada online poker site in 2019
Latest Nevada online poker news
- by Sean ChaffinJanuary 3, 2020
- by Sean ChaffinDecember 11, 2019
Nevada: Home to first licensed US online poker room
Contents
- 3 Good Signs: PokerStars Beefs Up PACOOP As Michigan Adds Online Poker
- 3.11 NV online poker FAQ
It all started with regulations drafted by the Nevada Gaming Commission on Dec. 22, 2011. An opinion letter written by the Department of Justice became public the following day stating that online poker did not violate the Wire Act. The DOJ opinion written three months earlier was in response to a state lottery inquiry.
Nevada Casinos Map
Nevada Legislature took up the online poker issue in February 2013. It confirmed the regulations drafted by gaming regulators. Nevada lawmakers also included language that permits the governor to enter into liquidity sharing agreements with other states. Nevada has since entered into such an agreement with Delaware and New Jersey.
Ultimate Poker became the first entirely legal poker site in the US on April 30, 2013. There was no previous announcement leading up to the launch. The news hit the mainstream, and Ultimate Poker executives took to the airwaves to help promote the product.
Station Casinos was the group behind Ultimate Poker. The company is the largest locals casino owner in Las Vegas.
The site was heavily promoted at the casinos owned by Station and through direct mailers to players registered with the Boarding Pass players club. Ultimate Poker players could deposit and withdraw from any cashier cage operated by Station Casinos.
Ultimate Poker drew several hundred players from its first day. The first major Sunday tournaments hit its cap of 200 entrants and produced a $20,000 prize pool. Legal online poker was alive once again in the US.
WSOP.com launches and takes over the Nevada market
The fortunes of Ultimate Poker started to decline when WSOP.com launched on Sept. 17, 2013. It only took about six weeks for WSOP.com to overtake Ultimate Poker for the No. 1 spot regarding online poker traffic in Nevada.
WSOP.com Nevada was heavily promoted during the summer World Series of Poker. This helped it draw players away from Ultimate Poker.
The software used by WSOP.com was far superior to the one used by Ultimate Poker. This included the introduction of Omaha, Omaha High/Low, Seven Card Stud and Seven Card Stud High/Low. Ultimate Poker only offered Texas Hold ’em at the time.
Real Gaming enters Nevada
Real Gaming became the third online poker room in Nevada. Backed by South Point Casino, a locals casino on Las Vegas Boulevard south of the Strip. The site only offers No Limit Texas Hold ’em cash games and one-table tournaments.
Ultimate Poker ceases operations
The competition proved to be no match for Ultimate Poker. The site struggled with inferior software and an inability to improve it in a timely manner.
Ultimate Poker dealt its last hand of online poker in Nevada on Nov. 17, 2014. It previously folded its New Jersey operations on Oct. 5, 2014, citing the bankruptcy of its business partner Trump Taj Mahal as the reason. Ultimate Gaming, its parent company, has since ceased operations.
WSOP.com now controls more than 99 percent of the Nevada online poker market. Real Gaming struggles to draw a single full table and is completely dark most hours of the day.
Interstate online poker compact with New Jersey and Delaware
Nevada and Delaware launched the first poker liquidity sharing agreement in March 2015, and New Jersey joined the mix in May 2018 to create a tri-state player pool in the US.
As the only platform available in all three states, WSOP.com was the only site to take full advantage of the liquidity sharing at launch. WSOP revealed new promotions, a bigger and better rewards program, and larger tournament guarantees in conjunction with its suddenly larger network.
888 provides WSOP.com’s platform and hosts the only poker network in Delaware. There are three skins on the Delaware poker network: Delaware Park, Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway. All are racinos that operate video lottery casinos in the state.
WSOP.com Nevada online poker details
WSOP.com is the Nevada online poker leader due to its ties to the World Series of Poker. It offers Texas Hold ’em, Omaha, Omaha High/Low, Seven Card Stud and Seven Card Stud High/Low.
New players receive a 100 percent, up to $400, first-deposit bonus. A similar reload bonus is offered every month.
All WSOP.com deposit bonuses clear at a rate of $10 for every $50 in rake and tournament fees paid.
The Action Club is WSOP.com’s VIP program. Players earn rakeback between 8 and 35 percent and freeroll entries based on the amount of monthly rake paid.
You can cash out rakebacks through the software in amounts of $10 or more. Other promotions include World Series of Poker satellites and monthly sit-and-go leaderboards.
WSOP.com Nevada online poker bracelet event
WSOP.com hosted the first World Series of Poker online bracelet event on July 2, 2015. It was a $1,000 entry. The tournament played down to two players on the first day. The final two opponents met at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas to finish the event live two days later.
The online event has returned every year since in an even more robust form. In 2018, for the first time, players in New Jersey can compete in the online bracelet events with players in Nevada.
Satellites and super satellites to many World Series of Poker events occur at WSOP.com during the spring and summer. A handful of these satellites are freerolls. Others require a buy-in as little as $1.
Nevada live poker rooms
Nevada is the home to live poker in the US. Las Vegas is where most of the action occurs.
Venetian is the largest poker room in Las Vegas. It offers 59 tables. That number goes up during its Deep Stack Extravaganza tournament series.
Bellagio is the second-largest Las Vegas poker room. It spreads 37 tables. Other major Las Vegas Strip poker rooms include Wynn, Aria, and Caesars Palace.
There are several popular poker rooms in Las Vegas located off the Strip. The Orleans is the largest and is the home of Omaha High/Low and Fixed Limit Hold ’em in Las Vegas. The Orleans draws an equal number of locals and tourists.
Red Rock is the second-largest locals’ poker room. You’ll find it at the far west end of the Las Vegas Valley in the suburb of Summerlin. Green Valley Ranch, in the southeast part of town, is another active poker room in the locals market.
Visiting Las Vegas
There are numerous activities in the area if you need a break from poker. Rio has a zip line running between two hotel towers. The Palms offers a movie theater. Gold Coast has a bowling alley. All of those options are within walking distance.
Those with a car may want to explore Las Vegas and the surrounding area. Red Rock is a national park just west of the valley. Valley of Fire is about an hour north, Hoover Dam about an hour east. All are great outdoor activities.
Here are some of our favorite nongambling attractions in Las Vegas.
Those looking to party can take a cab for less than $10 to the Las Vegas Strip. There are top nightclubs at Cosmopolitan, Bellagio, MGM Grand, Aria, Wynn, Encore, Venetian, and Caesars Palace.
Those that enjoy the old-school feel should take a trip downtown. It will cost about $25 each way from Rio. Make sure to get in the cab at the convention center and tell the driver to take Industrial (part of which has been rechristened as Sammy Davis Jr. Drive) to keep from getting long-hauled on the highway.
Downtown Las Vegas is where legalized gambling started. It offers much better odds for those looking to gamble. The best blackjack in Las Vegas may be at El Cortez.
Great video poker is spread at numerous casinos. Craps players will want to hit the 20x odds spread at Main Street Station. In addition to better gambling, the minimum table game bet is often just $5 downtown.
While downtown, you may want to check out Fremont East. This is a block that’s undergone recent revitalization and is between Las Vegas Boulevard and El Cortez. It includes a strip of bars and clubs.
Here are our five favorite things about downtown Las Vegas.
Where to stay for the World Series of Poker
Finding a great place to stay can be tough. Rio typically offers competitive rates.
Make sure to check out Gold Coast. Directly across the street from Rio, it will likely be cheaper. The Orleans is just two blocks away, although it is a little too far to walk.
If you have a car, you may want to check out some of the locals’ casinos owned by Station. Staying downtown is another option.
Some players choose to stay at an extended stay to save some money. These are always hit and miss. Avoid the area along Tropicana the next exit down the highway from Rio. Most other neighborhoods with extended stay hotels will be in more desirable areas.
NV online poker FAQ
What Nevada regulated poker rooms are live?
WSOP.com is the only regulated Nevada online poker room as of Jan. 7, 2019.
What happened to Ultimate Poker?
Ultimate Poker was the first online poker site in Nevada. The company was not successful and ceased operations Nov. 17, 2014. Players have been paid in full.
Do I have to be a Nevada resident to play online poker?
No, but you need to be within the state of Nevada to play at regulated online poker rooms.
How does a poker room know a player is within Nevada?
Online poker rooms use three location devices to determine whether a player is within Nevada at the time of login.
One is the player’s IP address. This locates the point of a player’s internet connection. Cell phone triangulation is also used to determine a player’s location. The cellphone pings off multiple towers and its approximate location determines whether the player may sit at real money tables.
Mapping of wireless internet connections provides another location method. Real Gaming uses a smartphone app that uses multiple sources to verify the location.
Is Nevada location verification technology precise?
No, this is why players located within one mile of the state line may not play. This is the margin of error for cellphone triangulation and other methods. This ensures that no players can play outside the state.
What cities are within one mile of the Nevada state line?
Players in Primm, Mesquite, Laughlin, Jackpot, West Wendover and Stateline may not be able to play online poker in Nevada due to being within one mile of the state line.
How do you deposit at a Nevada online poker room?
WSOP.com accepts deposits via electronic checks, Visa, Mastercard, Neteller, PayNearMe, PayPal and cash at the cages of the following Las Vegas casinos:
- Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino Las Vegas
- Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
- Planet Hollywood Las Vegas Resort & Casino
- Harrah’s Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
- Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
Real Gaming accepts cash deposits at its South Point cage, PayNearMe, check by mail and bank wire.
How do you withdrawal from a Nevada online poker room?
WSOP.com pays withdrawals by electronic checks, cash at five Caesars casinos in Las Vegas and check by mail. Real Gaming mails a check that may be cashed at South Point or deposited as normal.
How old do you have to be to play online poker in Nevada?
Nevada requires all online poker players to be 21 years of age or older. This is the same age requirement to gamble at brick-and-mortar casinos.
Do Nevada online poker rooms share player pools with any other state or country?
Nevada online poker is only offered to players located in the state. 888 and WSOP networked player pools between Delaware and Nevada in March 2015. New Jersey joined in 2018 to create an even bigger player pool. Players located in the three states can compete against each other on WSOP.com.
How do I open an account?
Accounts must be created online. The information provided is run through a database to confirm the identity of the player.
Why does my state not offer regulated online poker?
Most states require legislative action to expand gambling. This includes online poker. It will likely require a bill being passed by both state houses and a signature from the governor for a state to regulate online poker.
When did online poker launch in Nevada?
Online poker in Nevada launched April 30, 2013. This was the date Ultimate Poker went live. WSOP.com launched Sept. 19, 2013. Real Gaming opened in February 2014.
What games are offered at Nevada online poker rooms?
WSOP.com offers Texas Hold ’em, Omaha, Omaha High/Low, Seven Card Stud and Seven Card Stud High/Low.
Real Gaming offers only No Limit Texas Hold ’em.
Can I deposit from outside Nevada?
Real Gaming allows players to deposit from outside Nevada. WSOP.com does not offer this feature.
Can I withdraw from outside Nevada?
Yes, all poker rooms will allow players to withdraw from outside Nevada.
Does Nevada offer online casino games?
No, Nevada only offers online poker at this time.
Online Casino For Nevada Residents For Rent
Are player-to-player transfers allowed?
Online Casino For Nevada Residents Pass
Player-to-player transfers are not allowed due to fraud and money laundering concerns.
Online Casino For Nevada Residents Map
Which Nevada poker site is the largest?
Online Casino For Nevada Residents Jobs
WSOP.com.