Nevada legalized casino gambling in 1931. It was the only state with casinos until Resorts in Atlantic City opened in 1978.
Nevada is home to some of the most luxurious casinos in the world, including Aria, Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Fontainebleau, Resorts World, Venetian, and Wynn. It has casinos for every type of player, from small locals joints to massive luxury resorts.
Las Vegas is not the only gambling destination in Nevada. Other options include Laughlin, Mesquite, Primm, Reno, and Tahoe. State tribes are also permitted to have casinos.
Nevada gambling options are nearly endless. They include slots, table games, video poker, electronic table games, poker, sports betting, keno, bingo, and horseracing. The only major gambling option that is unavailable is a state lottery. However, in 2023, the state legislature passed a potential constitutional amendment that would legalize a lottery. It will come up for another legislative vote in 2025. If it passes there, it heads to the November 2026 ballot.
Nevada casinos
Nevada casinos offer a massive selection of games. Slots are by far the most popular type of machine. Baccarat, blackjack, craps, and roulette are the most profitable table games for Nevada casinos. Other options include video poker, keno, crapless craps, Heads Up Hold’em, Let It Ride, Three Card Poker, and Ultimate Texas Hold’em. Live and electronic table games are available.
Machines start at the penny denomination. Live table games have minimum bets ranging from $1 to $500. Electronic table games start as low as a quarter.
Tavern and store gambling
Gambling is permitted at taverns, stores, and airports. This puts gambling nearly everywhere in the state, including most bars, gas stations, grocery stores, and laundromats. These businesses may have no more than five to fifteen machines, depending on the license. Airports may operate like standard casinos with hundreds of machines.
These types of licenses are called restricted. Only machines are permitted. Allowable games include slots, video poker, video keno, and electronic table games. Live table games are not permitted at restricted gaming establishments.
Nevada sportsbooks
Nevada was the first state with legal sports betting. The state’s sportsbooks opened in 1949. In 2010, online sports betting was introduced. At first, it was only available on intranet websites. Mobile sports betting eventually replaced that product.
Nevada was the only state with full sports betting until the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018. That law guaranteed Nevada’s sportsbook monopoly. Sportsbooks are now legal in over 30 states.
All types of sports bets are legal in Nevada. This includes straights, parlays, teasers, pleasers, futures, and props. Betting on baseball, football, hockey, basketball, boxing, mixed martial arts, auto racing, and many other types of sports, is available.
Racebooks
Off-track betting on racing is legal on horses in Nevada racebooks. Some sportsbooks double as racebooks. Some are not a part of parimutuel pools, even within the same company. Books without parimutuel pools offer fixed odds that often come with capped wins. Always read the house rules before placing a wager.
Live greyhound racing is illegal in Nevada. However, bets may be made on dog races. Racebooks do not typically offer this type of off-track betting.
Live horse racing is legal in Nevada. There are no open tracks.
Nevada gambling age
All forms of commercial gambling, including casinos and sports betting, require players to be at least 21 years old. Charitable gaming, like bingo and raffles, is available to those 18 and older.
Nevada gambling FAQs
What is the minimum age to gamble in Nevada?
Most forms of gambling require patrons to be at least 21 years old. It is 18 for charitable gaming.
Does Nevada have a state lottery?
Nevada does not have a state lottery. The process for changing the constitution to allow one is one-third complete.
When did casinos open in Nevada?
Nevada’s first casino opened in 1931.
When did sports betting become legal in Nevada?
Sports betting was legalized in 1949.
Do all Nevada casinos have table games?
No. Many Nevada casinos only have slots and video poker. Major casinos have live table games.
Can you gamble at Las Vegas and Reno airports?
Las Vegas and Reno airports have slots, video poker, video keno, and electronic table games.