One will understand if Declan Cannon awakens Sunday morning in New Orleans filled with concern. That’s because, on Sunday afternoon, Cannon is booked to ride the 3-year-old filly Pondering in the co-featured sixth race.
Twice this winter, trainer Brendan Walsh has given Cannon a leg up on Pondering and sent horse and rider out into Fair Grounds competition. And twice this winter, Cannon and Pondering have gone their separate ways during those races.
The $50,000 Blue Ribbon Stakes on Monday at Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Okla., drew a competitive field of eight, but it’s simple to build a case for Elegant Echo.
She’s one of two stakes winners in the six-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies bred in Oklahoma.
Elegant Echo is making a few key moves for Monday. She’s back racing with statebreds and also is cutting back to one turn. The last time Elegant Echo sprinted against Oklahoma-breds she won the Oklahoma Classics Night Lassie in October at Remington Park.
Quarter Horse racing returns Sunday to the Red Mile in downtown Lexington, Ky., for six days of high-speed races spread over a 10-day period.
Racing Sunday through Tuesday, eight races per day are being offered as part of a meet awarded to Sandy Ridge Racing, a company owned by Revolutionary Racing that is building a Quarter Horse racetrack in Ashland, Ky., near the border with West Virginia. The company broke ground on the track in September, roughly one year after a casino opened on the property, and expects to host live races at the location in 2026.
A Gun Runner colt sold for an Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. record $3 million to top the company’s March sale of 2-year-olds in training, giving consignor Eddie Woods a big bang as he prepares to take down his shingle.
Sports betting has been legal in Nevada for decades, making it the long-standing leader in regulated wagering in the United States. Nevada was also the first state to allow mobile sports betting, launching online wagering in 2010. Until the repeal of PASPA in 2018, it was the only state with fully legal sportsbooks.
While Nevada offers numerous mobile sportsbook apps, state law requires bettors to register in person at a licensed casino before placing wagers online.
Thanks to its extensive casino infrastructure and deep betting market, Nevada remains one of the premier destinations for major sporting events, including the Super Bowl and March Madness.
Continue reading for the latest updates and key information about sports betting in Nevada.
Disclaimer: For those outside of Nevada, you may face restrictions on the offers you see on this page.
Oct. 2, 2024 — Nevada reported $455.2 million in sports betting handle for August, up 21% from July and 5.4% year over year.
Sept. 13, 2024 — Allegiant Stadium partnered with BetMGM and GameSense to display responsible gambling messaging during the NFL season.
Sept. 11, 2024 — July handle totaled $376 million, down 21.8% month over month and 7.8% year over year.
Aug. 28, 2024 — Professional poker player Damien LeForbes pleaded guilty to operating an illegal sportsbook and money laundering in Nevada and California.
Aug. 21, 2024 — Nevada regulators filed a complaint against Resorts World related to allegations of allowing bookmakers to launder money.
Nevada was the first state to offer regulated mobile sports betting in the US, with STN Sports launching in 2010. Today, roughly a dozen sportsbook promos operate statewide. All require in-person registration at a partner casino before placing mobile wagers.
Below is a breakdown of the major sportsbook apps available in Nevada:
Based in Reno, Atlantis Sports is the sportsbook app for Atlantis Casino Resort Spa. It’s known for independently setting its own lines and frequently being first to post MLB season win totals.
Operated by Boyd Gaming, B-Connected represents properties such as The Orleans, Sam’s Town, and Cannery casinos. The app offers one of the broadest betting menus in the state, particularly for prop bets.
Available at BetMGM bonus code Resorts properties including Bellagio, Aria, and Mandalay Bay. Bettors must register in person at an MGM location to use the app in Nevada — even if they already have a BetMGM account elsewhere.
Used across Caesars promo code Entertainment properties statewide. Like BetMGM, in-person registration is required for Nevada access, even for existing out-of-state users.
One of the newer entries to Nevada’s mobile market, Circa Sports operates out of Circa Resort & Casino and Golden Gate in downtown Las Vegas. It’s known for catering to sharp bettors and posting market-setting college football lines.
South Point and Rampart operate separately but share odds. South Point’s veteran bookmakers are among the most respected in the state.
Owned by Station Casinos, STN Sports was the first mobile sportsbook app in the United States. It offers live betting, extensive prop markets, and biometric login for added security.
The sportsbook app for Treasure Island. An independent option that may feature lines or pricing different from larger corporate books.
The mobile companion to the iconic Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas. While the app itself is straightforward, it benefits from one of the most respected sportsbook brands in the country.
Now under Caesars Entertainment, William Hill remains a distinct app operating on Caesars’ Liberty platform. It services several major Las Vegas properties and offers a large international sports menu.
Available at Wynn Las Vegas and Encore. Separate from WynnBET (used outside Nevada), this app also integrates racebook wagering options.
Opening a mobile sportsbook account in Nevada involves a few more steps than in most other states because in-person registration is required. Here’s how the process works:
Choose your preferred Nevada sportsbook app and download it to your mobile device.
You must go in person to one of the sportsbook’s affiliated casino locations to register. Each app is tied to specific properties, and some operators have multiple locations across the state, while others have only one or two.
At the casino, you’ll fill out an application and verify your identity to create your mobile betting account.
Your first deposit must typically be made in person and in cash at the sportsbook cage. After that, most apps allow additional funding methods depending on the operator.
Before heading to a casino, call ahead or check the sportsbook’s website to confirm:
The location handles mobile registrations
The sportsbook counter is open
You have the required identification documents
Once your account is set up, you can place bets anywhere within Nevada state lines using the mobile app.
Once you arrive at the sportsbook inside the casino, you’ll need to complete an in-person registration process.
During sign-up, you’ll fill out an application that includes:
Full legal name
Date of birth
Residential address
Contact information
A completed W-9 form
You must be 21 years or older to open a sportsbook account in Nevada.
You’ll also need to present a valid government-issued ID. It does not have to be a Nevada ID, but it must be current and valid. In addition, you’ll be required to provide your Social Security number or tax identification number to finalize registration.
In many cases, the casino will also require you to enroll in its players club or loyalty program as part of the setup process.
Nevada law requires that your first deposit be made in person at the casino tied to your sportsbook app.
Most bettors complete this step immediately after registering, though you can return later if you prefer. Minimum initial deposits typically range from $50 to $100, depending on the operator.
After your account is funded and activated, you can begin placing wagers anywhere within Nevada state lines using the mobile app.
Once your account is established, future deposits and withdrawals may be handled either in person or through approved payment methods, depending on the sportsbook.
Common options include:
Play+ prepaid cards (often with a service fee)
Checks or money orders (varies by casino)
In-person cash transactions at the sportsbook cage
William Hill allows deposits through its network of kiosks across the state. It also supports PayNearMe, enabling funding at participating retail locations such as convenience stores.
Some casinos — including Station Casinos, MGM properties, and Westgate — offer branded debit-style cards. These can be funded via debit cards, credit cards, or electronic transfers and used for sportsbook transactions.
Because policies vary by operator, it’s a good idea to review your chosen sportsbook’s banking options in advance.
Nevada has the oldest regulated sports betting framework in the United States. Because wagering has been legal in the state for decades, the law has evolved over time and reflects multiple updates layered onto its original foundation.
Nevada allows wagering on a wide range of sporting events. Very few categories are prohibited.
The primary statutory restriction applies to amateur non-collegiate sports, which effectively bans betting on high school athletics. Lawmakers later clarified the language to ensure certain Olympic-style competitions were not unintentionally excluded.
College sports betting has also evolved over time. While wagering on college events was once prohibited entirely, current law allows betting on:
In-state teams (such as UNLV and the University of Nevada, Reno)
Out-of-state college programs
Nevada also permits wagering on esports and other nontraditional sporting events, provided they receive regulatory approval. However, entertainment markets such as the Oscars are generally not allowed.
One of the most distinctive aspects of Nevada law is its in-person registration requirement for mobile sportsbooks.
Before placing bets online, bettors must:
Visit a partner casino in person
Register their account at the sportsbook
Make their initial deposit on-site
This rule has remained in place since mobile betting launched in 2010. While some national operators have advocated for removing the requirement, Nevada regulators have continued to uphold it. The policy reflects the state’s long-standing casino-centric gaming model.
Nevada is home to nearly 200 sportsbook locations statewide, according to the Nevada Gaming Control Board. A significant portion of those are kiosk-based operations, including many under the William Hill brand.
Among the many options, several sportsbooks stand out due to their size, reputation, or influence in the industry.
Long regarded as one of the most iconic sportsbooks in the world, the SuperBook helped define modern sports wagering in Las Vegas. While no longer the largest by square footage, it remains one of the most prestigious.
App: Westgate SuperBook
Location: Westgate Resort & Casino, Las Vegas
Circa Resort & Casino features one of the largest and most visually impressive sportsbooks in the country. Spanning multiple stories with a massive high-definition screen, Circa has positioned itself as a major competitor in the Las Vegas market.
App: Circa Sports
Location: Circa Resort & Casino, Las Vegas
A locally owned operation known for setting its own odds, South Point is respected among serious bettors. It is also closely associated with VSiN, a sports betting-focused media network.
App: NV Sports Books
Location: South Point Hotel Casino & Spa, Las Vegas
Located in one of the most recognizable resorts on the Strip, Caesars Palace offers an upscale betting environment with strong national brand backing.
App: Caesars Sportsbook
Location: Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
Situated inside the historic Mirage property, this sportsbook has long been known for its comfortable seating and spacious layout. (Note: The property is transitioning to Hard Rock branding.)
App: BetMGM (property affiliation subject to change)
Location: Las Vegas Strip
Over the past decade, Nevada — and Las Vegas in particular — has become a major hub for professional sports. With the arrival of the NHL and NFL, the growth of the WNBA, and major events like the Super Bowl and NBA Summer League, the Silver State is now firmly established as a sports destination.
Here’s a look at the most popular betting markets in Nevada:
Las Vegas Raiders
📍 Allegiant Stadium — Las Vegas
Nevada landed its first NFL franchise when the Raiders relocated from Oakland to Las Vegas in 2020. Since then, Raiders games have become some of the most heavily wagered events in the state, especially on the Las Vegas Strip.
The NFL remains the most bet-on sport in Nevada, particularly during the regular season and playoffs.
Las Vegas Aces (WNBA)
📍 Michelob Ultra Arena — Las Vegas
NBA Summer League
📍 Thomas & Mack Center / Cox Pavilion — Las Vegas
Nevada does not yet have an NBA franchise, but Las Vegas hosts the NBA Summer League each year, drawing national attention. The WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces have become one of the league’s premier teams and a popular betting option.
Given the city’s success with other pro teams, Las Vegas is frequently mentioned as a potential future NBA expansion destination.
Las Vegas Aviators (Triple-A)
📍 Las Vegas Ballpark
Reno Aces (Triple-A)
📍 Greater Nevada Field
Nevada does not currently have a Major League Baseball team, though that could change. The Oakland Athletics have announced plans to relocate to Las Vegas, with a proposed stadium targeted for a future season.
Until then, MLB betting in Nevada primarily centers on out-of-state teams, though wagers on Triple-A games may be available depending on sportsbook rules.
Vegas Golden Knights
📍 T-Mobile Arena — Las Vegas
The Golden Knights debuted in 2017 and quickly became one of the NHL’s most successful expansion franchises. They reached the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season and won the Stanley Cup in 2023.
Hockey betting surged in popularity statewide following the team’s arrival, and Golden Knights games consistently rank among the most wagered NHL matchups in Nevada.
College sports betting is fully legal in Nevada, including wagering on in-state programs.
Popular teams include:
UNLV (University of Nevada, Las Vegas)
University of Nevada, Reno (Nevada Wolf Pack)
Unlike some states, Nevada does not prohibit betting on local college teams, making NCAA football and basketball especially popular wagering markets.
Live horse racing is legal in Nevada, but there are currently no active professional racetracks operating in the state. Occasional harness races may take place at county fairs, but there is no regular live racing circuit.
Horse betting is still available through racebooks, which offer simulcast wagering on races from other states. However, Nevada’s overall pari-mutuel wagering volume is relatively modest compared to its sports betting market.
Daily fantasy sports (DFS) are effectively unavailable in Nevada.
In 2015, the Nevada attorney general determined that DFS contests fall under the state’s gambling regulations. As a result, operators must obtain a Nevada gaming license to offer DFS in the state.
Major DFS platforms such as DraftKings and FanDuel ceased operations in Nevada and have not returned. While DFS is not explicitly illegal, it is not currently offered by major providers, and there is no clear timeline for its return.
Current Sportsbooks
12It's unlikely that people outside of Nevada will recognize most of the state's mobile betting apps. There are about a dozen of them, and most are local platforms like B-Connected Sports, STN Sports, and Wynn Sports. There are, however, two major national players – BetMGM and Caesars – that offer mobile wagering in a state where both bigwigs boast numerous retail sports betting counters.
The same goes for William Hill, which is fully owned by Caesars but functions as a standalone brand in Nevada. Among the best-known Vegas sportsbooks with betting apps are the Westgate SuperBook and Circa, the latter of which offers mobile wagering in Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, and Nevada.
January, 1949
Nevada becomes the first state to legalize sports wagering, which gets its start in turf clubs that are unaffiliated with casinos.
January, 1959
The Nevada Gaming Commission is established with the passage of Nevada's Gaming Control Act.
January, 1975
Nevada's legislature clears the way for casinos to offer wagering on horse racing and other sports, with race and sportsbooks soon becoming de rigueur in Las Vegas, Reno, and smaller gaming hotbeds around the state.
January, 2010
Nevada gaming officials decide to allow online gambling, albeit with a requirement that anyone wishing to avail themselves of mobile wagering must register for an account with a brick-and-mortar sportsbook that has a mobile app. Later in the year, STN Sports, the online sportsbook of Station Casinos, becomes the first to offer mobile wagering.
January 20, 2022
The Nevada Gaming Commission approves remote registration for online casino accounts but rejects it for sports wagering, meaning sports bettors who want to wager on their phones in Nevada will still have to register in person for an account at a physical sportsbok.
Sports betting has been legal in Nevada since 1949. It was not until 2018 that a key U.S. Supreme Court decision enabled this form of gambling to spread across the country.
Anyone who's 21 years of age or older can wager on sports in Nevada at one of its brick-and-mortar sportsbooks or betting kiosks. In order to place mobile bets in Nevada, bettors must sign up for an account in person at a participating sportsbook.
Sports betting regulation – and the oversight of gaming at large – in Nevada is handled by the Nevada Gaming Commission and the Nevada Gaming Control Board. The two entities are connected, with the NGCB issuing recommendations on licensing and the like to the NGC, which renders decisions on such matters.
This is Nevada. Good luck finding a sport you can't bet on, and if you're uncertain whether you can make a type of exotic wager, odds are you can find a sympathetic sportsbook that will take your action.
Again, this is Nevada. Where there's a will, there's a wager, although it's probably unreasonable to expect to be able to legally bet on third-grade dodgeball games and stuff like that.
Daily fantasy sports contests are legal in Nevada, but since the state requires DFS operators to secure a gambling license, you will not find DraftKings, FanDuel, and most other leading providers in operation there.
It's legal to bet on horse racing in Nevada, where many local sportsbooks feature racebooks, both in person and via mobile app. But Nevada's racing regulations prohibit online account-wagering platforms like TVG and TwinSpires from operating within state boundaries, while live racing only occurs during weekend-long meets at places like White Pine and the Elko County Fairgrounds.
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21+. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
ARCADIA, Calif. – An Irish filly on St. Patrick’s Day at Santa Anita? Sounds like a cliché.
There was nothing corny about the U.S. debut of Raw Ability, an import from Ireland who will make her second stateside start Monday. If she runs as well as she did last summer at Del Mar, Raw Ability will be tough in the second-level allowance turf mile at Santa Anita.
The weekend has finally arrived, and all eyes are on the college basketball world and marquee conference tournament matchups in the Big Ten, Big 12, Big East, ACC and SEC.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Bettors who suspect that Shocking Grey’s recent stakes upset was a fluke will have no problem fading her in the $100,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes on Sunday at Santa Anita.
Bettors who believe Shocking Grey’s win in the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint was legitimate may look forward to backing her in the Irish O’Brien over the same hillside course.
After serving various stints in the racing industry, Damon Thayer was first elected to the Kentucky Senate in 2003. A small-government Republican, he eventually served as Senate Majority Leader for 12 years.
Saturday college basketball betting is focused on conference tournaments in the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, SEC and Big East, and using the Caesars Sportsbook promo code PLAYRACEDYW will help Caesars bettors double their winnings throughout the games.
