Sports-betting-in-Las-Vegas

Las Vegas remains the mecca of betting in the United States — and this is despite its monopoly on gambling being long gone. While sports betting may be legal in the vast majority of states now, there’s still something special about laying down wagers in Sin City. The sportsbooks are bigger, the crowds are always there, and the aura is palpable.

This is why we felt compelled to write a betting guide to Las Vegas. We already have one in the state of Nevada, but let’s be real, you’re going to Vegas to bet and probably on the Strip. Welp, allow us to explain everything you need to know about Las Vegas betting.

Is Sports Betting Legal In Las Vegas?

C’mon, do you really need to ask this question? We all know it’s legal and has been since the '50s. While betting was around before Vegas, no city is more synonymous with wagering than Las Vegas.

The most challenging aspect of betting in Las Vegas is deciding where to do it at. Seriously, the city is dotted with state-of-the-art casinos and sportsbooks. Before you land in Vegas, we wanted to save you the trouble of deciding on where to bet. In the next couple of sections, we’ll explain who deserves your attention most.

International Online Sportsbooks Available In Las Vegas

While sports betting is legal and thriving in Las Vegas, bettors should be aware that certain wagers are still off-limits at state-regulated sportsbooks. The Sin City offers an extensive legal betting market, but some popular bet types are only available through international sportsbooks. Nevada's legal books are prohibited from offering bets on political events and may have restrictions on in-state college teams. Other niche markets like entertainment props or esoteric sports are often unavailable through regulated operators.

For those interested in these types of bets, international sportsbooks provide a wider array of options. These offshore sites accept wagers on political events, a full range of college sports without restrictions, and numerous specialty markets not found at legal Las Vegas books. By expanding your options to include these international sportsbooks, you can access a truly comprehensive range of betting markets.

While using offshore sportsbooks comes with some risks, the sites we promote have been thoroughly vetted for safety and reliability. Our team has personally used these platforms for years, ensuring prompt payouts and fair treatment of customers. We only recommend trusted operators with long track records of integrity in the online betting space, allowing you to bet on your terms while still benefiting from secure and dependable service.

Legal Online Sportsbooks Available In Las Vegas

Vegas has unique rules around online sports betting. It requires bettors to sign up in-person BEFORE they’re allowed to bet alone. A rule like this isn’t to “protect” bettors as they’ll spin it. It’s a rule, influenced by local casinos, to keep online-only operators like DraftKings and FanDuel out of the mix. So when you look at the list of Las Vegas betting apps below, that’s why those platforms are left off:

Name of BookieAvailable?
William Hill? Available
Bally Bet? Available
BetMGM? Available
Caesars? Available
WynnBet? Available
STN Sports? Available
Circa Sports? Available
Last updated on: September 30, 2024

Las Vegas Online Sportsbook Comparison

Betting-in-Las-Vegas

We’ll be focusing strictly on betting apps in this section — there’s way too many physical sportsbooks in the city to compare and contrast. However, online sportsbook options are more reasonable (in part to that in-person registration rule). Here’s the sportsbooks we recommend based on specific features:

Best sportsbook for betting options: “The King of Sportsbooks” is actually an appropriate term for BetMGM. They have the biggest market share in Las Vegas, and it’s partly because of their betting menu. It has everything a bettor could ever need, and then some.

Best sportsbook for competitive odds: We’ll be honest, this one is a dead heat. Caesars, BetMGM, Williams Hill (which is owned by Caesars) — they all have nearly identical odds. These days, it’s harder and harder to find variance between betting lines since most bookies are pulling lines from the same source anyway. So we can’t definitively say anyone is better here.

Best sportsbook for bonuses: Here’s another tough category because bookies are consistently switching up their promos. One day, you might get a more killer offer from Caesars, the next WynnBet might outdo them. However, we don’t want to give out another tie. Therefore, we’re picking BetMGM. It’s close but this bookmaker has a tendency to just give bettors a little extra in the promo department.

Best sportsbook for mobile: You might be surprised, but our choice is William Hill. Interestingly, although Caesars owns William Hill, they still run it separately with its own branding. That’s actually a plus because William Hill’s recent app overhaul has been a game-changer, elevating the user experience above the competition. Live betting, in particular, works really well on the William Hill mobile app. On-the-go bettors have met their match with William Hill.

Best sportsbook for user experience: Caesars gets our top pick for one game-changing feature: live NFL streaming. As the first to bring this to bettors, they continue to offer seamless access to local games and primetime action like TNF, SNF, and MNF — all without needing a TV or streaming service. Yes, free streaming! Just open the app and the games are ready to roll. It’s an experience that’s a cut above the rest!

Las Vegas Quick Facts

FactLas Vegas
Launch date:1949
Legal age:21 Years Old
Online sports betting? Yes
Number of licenses12
Remote registration?No
Retail sportsbooks? Yes
Retail casinos? Yes
Online casino sites?No
Online poker? Yes
Betting on college sports? Yes
Betting on esports? Yes
State population3 million
State regulatorNevada Gaming Control Board
Last verified? September 12
Last updated on: September 30, 2024

What You Can’t Bet On In Las Vegas?

Las Vegas isn’t a city known for rules. It’s the opposite actually — a town built in bending them to their will. You see this with sports betting regulations. While other states have openly banned betting on certain types of college sports, for example, Vegas says everything is on the table for sports bettors. Well, everything except one betting market.

Non-sports betting markets are NOT offered at local sportsbooks or apps. Presidential election outcomes, the coin flip toss at the Super Bowl, Grammy award winners — those aren’t counted as real athletic events. Therefore, it’s not regulated and not allowed to be bet on.

If Vegas doesn’t offer it, then you know no other state does either, and it’s true. There’s only one way to get action on those markets and that’s via offshore sportsbooks. These work just fine in Nevada, and sometimes even better than licensed apps. Head there to bet on these ancillary markets.

Who Can Legally Bet in Las Vegas?

Las Vegas might be the betting capital of the Western world, but it’s not a free-for-all — there are some hard rules in place. Let’s break down the essentials:

Legal Age: You must be 21 to legally place a bet. It’s the standard across the country aside from a few select states.

Mobile Betting: Yes, you can bet on your phone in Nevada. Licensed apps work anywhere and everywhere in the city, from Henderson to North Las Vegas.

Retail Sportsbooks: Naturally, Nevada, home to the most extravagant casinos in the world, allows in-person betting. You’ll find sportsbooks in nearly every major casino. These are great hang-out spots if you’re in town, especially for major events like the Super Bowl or March Madness.

In-Person Registration: Before diving into mobile betting, you have to register an account in person at a sportsbook. As we mentioned earlier, this law keeps online-only sportsbooks like DraftKings and FanDuel out of the state on purpose (rivals like BetMGM carry a lot of influence in the Silver State and lobbying dollars).

Geofencing: Betting is strictly for those physically within Nevada’s borders. Geofencing technology ensures that bets aren’t coming from nearby states like California, where betting is banned. Even VPNs can’t sneak past this security.

Taxable Winnings: The upside? Nevada has no state income tax. The downside? Your winnings are still subject to federal taxes, which apply based on your income bracket. Uncle Sam always gets his cut, unfortunately.

Las Vegas Sportsbooks & Casinos

Honestly, this section can get its own article because Las Vegas has world-class sportsbooks and casinos up and down the city. Here's just a small sample size of what's waiting for you in Sin City:

Circa Hotel And Casino Sportsbook

One of many Hotel and Casino Sportsbooks available in the city of lights. There is a range of casino games and slots available to bettors who are looking for some entertainment in the city. With so many hotels on offer, it's important to know you're not being taken for a ride and are getting the best quality service on offer in the city.

Aria Resort Sportsbook

The Aria resort is one of the crown jewels of the strip and the name attracts millions of players from across the globe every year. The experts here would strongly advise taking a look through our guide to the Aria Resort Sportsbook before turning up, as there are a number of important things to understand.

Caesars Palace Sportsbook

Arguably the most recognizable Casino in the world. A must-stop destination for any bettor visiting the city to gamble. Setting the benchmark for sportsbooks across the globe, the Ceasars Palace sportsbook is well worth playing on while visiting Vegas.

Lagasse Stadium Sportsbook

The most famous sportsbook in the city. With over 100 seats and world-class food being delivered to your seat, bettors are able to enjoy the biggest sporting events in the world surrounded by avid bettors and a second-to-none atmosphere. Take a look at what's on offer at the Lagasse Stadium Sportsbook before arriving in Las Vegas.

Binion's Gambling Hall Hotel

Founded back in 1951, the Binion's Gambling Hall Hotel Sportsbook rose to fame during post-war Las Vegas and has remained one of the premium betting outlets for Las Vegas residents and visitors. We'd strongly advise taking a look through what's on offer at the Binion's Gambling Hall before arriving to get a feel for where to bet and the best offers available.

The Bellagio Hotel

The Bellagio fountains are some of the most famous on the strip and a guaranteed attraction for many visitors to the City of Lights. Based on the famous town situated on the beautiful Italian Lake Como, the hotel has become one of the iconic symbols of the city and offers a great Casino facility, as well as 5-star hotel accommodation.

The Cosmopolitan Hotel

Situated on the boulevard, the Cosmopolitan is one of the last remaining true luxury hotels in the city. Offering a broad range of suits and rooms to cater to visitors from all corners of the globe, with their own interests and desires. As well as that the Cosmopolitan sportsbook is great and offers customers a unique betting experience every time.

D Las Vegas Hotel

The D Las Vegas sportsbook is excellent, and with the hotel growing in popularity, many are choosing to wager here. Offering a broad range of betting odds on the major leagues, as well as covering the odds for major sports leagues from all over the world. Certainly, one to keep an eye on in years to come.

Golden Nugget Hotel

The Golden Nugget hotel and casino is about 5 miles from the airport and offers a unique experience, not only as a guest but when betting with the Golden Nugget sportsbook. Its hotel and casino facilities draw in millions every year and with such an excellent sportsbook backing it up, the Golden Nugget is sure to go from strength to strength.

Hard Rock Hotel

The Hard Rock Hotel is part of a global brand and many who visit Las Vegas feel safer staying with the Hard Rock name. As such, the Hard Rock sportsbook gets a lot of action with bettors wagering on many of the major sports leagues in the US, as well as big fights and events that take place in the city. Check out the latest odds and insights from this great sportsbook today.

Planet Hollywood Hotel

Right on the Boulevard, the Hollywood Planet Hotel is a real favorite and carries itself on reputation. Much like the Hollywood Planet Hotel sportsbook, which also commands a great number of bets every year. The Hollywood Planet hotel has become a place to come back to year after year for many loves of the city, so be sure to see what's on offer in their book today.

Lagasse's Stadium Palazzo Hotel

A grand 5-star hotel located in the center of the city. An almost unmatched level of service, offering customers the whole package. This includes a new breed of sports bar to support the ever-growing Palazzo sportsbook: a world-class restaurant and entertainment club.

Luxor Hotel

It's a 4-star hotel this time and one you'll recognize immediately from the movies. The Luxor features a giant black pyramid, with a huge Pharoah in front of it, styled the Egyptian-style pyramids. While the Luxor is great for aesthetics, it also features some of the most competitive odds in the city through the Luxor Hotel sportsbooks.

Mandalay Bay Hotel

There are few names more synonymous with Las Vegas than the Mandalay Bay Hotel. The Hotel features a beach-style interior with many recently restyled rooms to choose from when staying. The Hotel is excellent, but the Mandalay Bay Hotel sportsbook is the main feature here. Its reputation among sharp bettors is warranted, as it continues to provide the odds on all the major events worldwide.

MGM Hotel

The MGM Hotel, or MGM Grand, is lit in dark green at night and has established itself as one of the major sportsbooks and betting facilities on the strip. The MGM sportsbook is one that acts as a benchmark for many others in the city. Moreover, the MGM name is recognized around the world and many visitors from abroad quickly associate the brand as being the very best in the city.

Mirage Hotel

The Mirage Hotel features a huge water feature outside the entrance and regularly holds shows in the evening to entertain visitors to this legendary city. Not only do the Mirage facilities entertain guests, but the Mirage Hotel sportsbook is one of the major offerings to customers. With a seemingly endless list of sports betting markets available to users, the Mirage is certainly a great option for bettors.

New York New York

An odd idea to name a hotel after a city in the same country the very same country. Nonetheless, the New York New York sportsbook and hotel offer users a great way to experience the joys of gambling in Las Vegas, while in the comfort of such a complete facility. The Hotel is first-rate and it has quickly established a reputation as one of the leading sportsbooks in town.

Paris Hotel

Directly across the famous Bellagio, this French-style casino draws in thousands every year. With a great range of food to choose from, the Paris Hotel is the perfect provider for wagering on major sports leagues and sports events across the world. The Paris Hotel sportsbook is not to be overlooked!

Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa

The Red Rock Hotel was recently renovated, now offering customers a quite unique experience and one which will dazzle first-timers to Las Vegas. As well as a great range of facilities, the Red Rock Hotel sportsbook offers very competitive odds and a broad range of betting markets - check out their sportsbook for the latest odds on major events.

Venetian Hotel

One of our absolute favorites. The Venetian is a classy hotel, offering customers an experience unlike that which they'll find in many of the other hotels in Vegas. The pool area is world-famous and attracts celebrities from across the globe every year. As well as the facilities, the Venetian Hotel sportsbook is excellent and is one of the main reasons these customers keep coming back.

Wynn Hotel

This hotel is famous not only for its service quality but also because the Wynn has a first-rate golf course attached to it. The Wynn Hotel sportsbook covers all the golf events on the calendar and all other sports betting markets available in the City of Lights. Overall, it is complete and offers unique betting opportunities.

The M Sportsbook

The M Sportsbook is a unique facility and one of the only places in the city where bettors will be provided with desk space, a swivel leather armchair, lamp, and individual television to track whatever market they please. A unique betting opportunity in Vegas.

Treasure Island Hotel

The Treasure Island Hotel sportsbook and casino is at the centre of the strip and offers customers the chance to wine and dine, enjoy the nightlife, then move onto the tables at their own discretion. The facility has become famous over the years, as one of the newer betting locations in the city this can be hard, having committed to providing a decent service to visitors.

Las Vegas Sports Betting Timeline

Las Vegas has long been the country's premier center for all types of betting — sports betting included. People wanting to place bets in person would have to travel to Sin City in order to do so. This is because PASPA had awarded the state a complete monopoly on sports betting. This was a very convenient situation for the state, which made a nice chunk of change every year on tourism and sports betting.

2018 Brings A Scare

This paradise was adjusted when the Supreme Court declared its monopoly illegal in 2018. Shortly thereafter, state after state began opening their regulations to allow local online and offline sportsbooks to open up shop. Many became concerned about the Las Vegas economy, which relies so much on tourism and its fame as betting capital.

By 2024, It is Clear Vegas is Here to Stay

These fears have turned out to be exaggerated. The Las Vegas betting industry is doing just fine—even in a post-pandemic world. In fact, during the most recent summer, the city set a revenue record for its betting industry.

While it is tough to imagine that the city can continue to shatter its revenue records, for now at least one thing is clear: Sin City will remain afloat with its sports betting industry intact. Not only that, but new casinos and resorts continue to open along The Strip. These multimillion-dollar investments express confidence in the city's gambling industry.

How To Bet On Sports In Las Vegas?

Las-Vegas-teams-betting

Spoiler alert: any and every single sport is available to bet on at Las Vegas sportsbooks. Every single one, including obscure events like rugby or cricket. Still, the vast majority of bettors are going to gravitate to the following markets:

How To Bet On Football In Las Vegas?

There’s no bigger betting spectacle than football, and Las Vegas is at the center of the action. Do yourself a favor and spend either a Saturday or Sunday inside a Las Vegas sportsbook during football season. You won’t regret it based on entertainment value alone. If you can do a Super Bowl Sunday in Vegas, then you’re really cooking with gas. Either way, throwing money on football whilst in Vegas is a special type of feeling that can’t ever really be replicated by app betting.

How To Bet On Basketball In Las Vegas?

After the Super Bowl, the next-best time to be in Sin City for sports is during the NCAA March Madness tournament. That opening weekend, in particular, is absolutely electric inside a Vegas sportsbook with a flurry of tourists. And if the NCAA Tournament wasn’t thrilling enough, try live betting it to really kick up the intensity. Basketball, whether it’s college or the NBA, is the quintessential in-play experience.

How To Bet On Baseball In Las Vegas?

The sharpest bettors live and play in Las Vegas. These are the folks that do this for a living. Many of those players live and breathe baseball betting due to the limitless opportunities over a 162-game MLB schedule. Even if you’re not a pro, you’ll appreciate nonstop baseball action (hundreds of bets per day) from April to October. There’s no other sport that comes even close to it.

How To Bet On Fighting In Las Vegas?

Fighting and Vegas go hand in hand. Years ago, when all the team sports run away from Sin City, fighting promotions ran towards it. Las Vegas has long hosted the most-profile boxing and UFC superfights, and that hasn’t changed. We keep telling you to spend weekends in Vegas for big events, but here’s another must-visit time — when there’s a big title fight happening in the city (think Canelo or Conor McGregor). The anticipation and buzz in and around the fight arena is off the charts.

Betting on Las Vegas Sports Teams

Less than a decade ago, pro sports teams and leagues avoided Vegas like the bubonic plague, but today? They’re flocking to it. The city has transformed into a major sports hub seemingly overnight with an influx of teams bringing the action — and the bets — to Sin City. Here’s how to get in on the betting fun:

Betting on the Las Vegas Raiders

In 2020, the Raiders made their grand move from the Bay Area to Las Vegas, setting up shop in the stunning Allegiant Stadium just off the Strip. Even though the team hasn’t won much since moving into Vegas, the Raiders have quickly become one of the biggest attractions in a city full of them.

Betting on the Las Vegas Golden Knights

As Vegas' first pro team, the Golden Knights made history by not only calling the city home but also winning a championship. The Knights took home the NHL Stanley Cup in 2024, just eight years after being founded, cementing themselves as the pride of Vegas sports. They play home games in the T-Mobile Arena, which is worth a visit too.

Betting on the Las Vegas A’s

The next major team to land in Vegas? The Oakland A’s of MLB. While the move isn’t complete yet, the buzz is real as the city gears up to build a brand-new stadium on the Strip to welcome the A’s to their new home. Construction is ongoing at the former Tropicana Las Vegas Casino and is expected to house the team by 2028.

Betting on NCAA Teams

Before Las Vegas became a hotspot for pro sports, the UNLV Rebels were in the only show in town. And what a show it was during the Runnin’ Rebels days of the early ‘90s when UNLV was atop the college basketball world. Those days are long gone (and the program has fallen on hard times), but the the UNLV basketball brand still means something to fans and bettors alike.

Las Vegas Betting Revenue Statistics

We're telling you, despite the influx of betting options around the country, Las Vegas' gambling business shows zero signs of slowing down. No, the opposite actually — it's accelerating. For a third straight year, the state of Nevada (driven mostly by Vegas) broke its all-time gaming revenue record. In 2023, casinos across the state collected $15.5 billion in gaming revenue (Strip casinos were $8.9 billion of that). That's a 4.6% increase over 2022, which was the previous record-setting year.

Tourism to Vegas in 2023 was estimated to be 40.8 million. It's not that far off the all-time record of 42.9 million in 2016. The city is a magnet for tourists, whether they have a monopoly on betting or not.

Other Types Of Betting In Las Vegas

Do we really need to spell it out that Las Vegas is home to any and all betting — not just sports? No, right?

The casinos are even more legendary inside the city. Every major gaming company, from Caesars to MGM to The Sands to Wynn, has multiple state-of-the-art resorts in town. All of them packed to the brim with blackjack, craps, roulette, slots, and poker games.

Speaking of poker, the best players in the world also live and play in Vegas. The city famously hosts the World Series of Poker tournament every summer in Sin City. This past year, it was a $10 million event.

The only thing that’s not bet-able in Las Vegas? The lottery. The state of Nevada doesn’t have one, but why would they when they have world-class casinos and game options right there in Vegas. No way a lottery ticket is as thrilling as a high-stakes poker game or buzzing slot machine.

Sports Betting Rules In Each State

We have a host of betting guides to different states and cities. Give these a read to get up to speed wherever you’re traveling to next:

Responsible Gaming In Las Vegas

Yes, Nevada proudly embraces its reputation for gambling and “sin”, offering countless opportunities for thrill-seekers. However, they also take problem gambling very seriously — and we mean extremely seriously. While the neon lights and high-energy atmosphere promote excitement, there’s a strong underlying effort to address the darker side of betting when it gets out of control.

Problem gambling occurs when the fun and excitement of betting turn into something more destructive. It’s no longer about the enjoyment, but a compulsion — an urge that continues even when it’s causing financial strain, emotional turmoil, or damage to relationships. If gambling feels like something you have to do, despite the negative consequences, it’s a clear sign of a problem that requires attention.

In Las Vegas, you’ll notice that responsible gambling measures are woven into the casino experience. Visit any major casino, and you’ll find brochures that highlight resources for those struggling with gambling addiction. But it’s not just about physical spaces anymore — online bettors need help too. Here are some useful online resources that offer support inside Nevada:

Nevada Council on Problem Gambling (www.nevadacouncil.org)

Provides educational programs, awareness campaigns, and a statewide helpline (1-800-522-4700) for those seeking help with gambling issues.

Las Vegas Problem Gambling Center (www.problemgamblingcenter.org)

A local non-profit offering treatment programs for individuals struggling with gambling addiction, with both inpatient and outpatient options.

And here are some national resources too:

Gambling Addiction Support Network (https://www.gamblingaddictionsupport.org/)

A non-profit organization providing resources and support for individuals struggling with gambling addiction.

Center for Responsible Gaming (https://www.centerforresponsiblegaming.org/)

The Center for Responsible Gaming (CRG) is a research institution dedicated to promoting safe gambling practices and addressing gambling-related issues.

24/7 Gambling Support Line (https://www.gamblinghelponline.org/24-7-helpline)

A round-the-clock helpline offering immediate assistance and guidance for those experiencing gambling-related problems."