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Why There Are No Online Casinos in Las Vegas

Laughternoon: Adam London

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posted on 11 months ago

Why There Are No Online Casinos in Las Vegas

Main Takeaways

Nevada prohibits most forms of online gambling.
Online poker, sports betting, and "social" casinos are the exceptions to the rule.
Social casinos let digital players bet with tokens instead of cash.

The online casino market began in the 1990s and has generated so much revenue that it was projected to be at $35 billion in 2024. With these figures, one would expect to find online casinos in Las Vegas, a city popular for gambling. However, that's not the case. There are no online casinos in Las Vegas because of regulatory, economic, and historical factors. hologram playing cards float vertically over a tablet held by a man in a suit

hologram playing cards float vertically over a tablet held by a man in a suit

Regulatory Framework

Nevada first legalized gambling in 1930. In 2013, the state made online poker and sports betting legal but restricted all other forms of online casinos. One reason Nevada stayed with brick-and-mortar casinos is the restriction from federal and state laws. The Federal Wire Act of 1961, initially aimed to prevent interstate wagering on sports, has influenced internet gambling regulations. The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) oversees gambling activities in the state and controls the decision to legalize online casinos.

Industry Concerns

Las Vegas has long been a gambling tourist haven(some people call it the adult Disneyland). Out of the 40 million+ people who visit Vegas every year, 79% gambled during their visit between 2009 and 2023. The entrance of online casinos poses a threat to that revenue stream. Casino companies are apprehensive that online gambling will diminish their existing business models, which also host entertainment events, dining, bars, and accommodations. A decline in patronage would reduce gaming revenues and hurt profits from other amenities and services. As a result, these casino operators advocate for maintaining the status quo rather than expanding into the online gambling space.

Current Alternatives to Online Casinos in Las Vegas

Even without online casinos in Las Vegas, you can still gamble online.

Sports betting: Being the first state to make sports betting legal, you bet you can play esports in Nevada, with numerous sportsbooks available for both mobile and desktop users.
Online poker: Online poker has been legal in Nevada since 2013. The most prominent platform for online poker is the World Series of Poker (WSOP), which offers a variety of poker games and tournaments.
Social casinos: Since full-fledged online casinos are unregulated in Nevada, social casinos are the closest alternative. These platforms allow players to enjoy casino-style games without wagering real money using tokens or "sweeps coins."

What's the Future of Online Casinos in Las Vegas?

As many other states have legalized online casinos and are generating billions in taxes, gamblers can only hope that Vegas will follow suit. Right now, anyone visiting Sin City will have to deal with physical casinos or games with no real money unless they want to play poker or bet on sports. The city may be forced to legalize online casinos in the future. If the rate of technological advancement is anything to go by, the status quo may not work for those opposing online casinos in Vegas. They may have to adapt or cease to exist, but we must wait and see.