Feel free to enjoy an excellent poker room in Nevada
As the first state to legalize online poker, Nevada has a huge range of legal poker room options for US players. The top sites jumped at the chance to offer poker games in the state, and now Nevada's online poker scene is booming. To ensure you get the best game possible, we've reviewed a selection of sites. Our recommended poker rooms on this page all offer the best games and tournaments, and a host of good player features.
This page explains:
- Why Nevada leads the way
- How Nevada passed the bill
- The implications of federal law
- Legal poker online in Nevada
- How to prove you live in Nevada
- The rules of interstate poker play
- Nevada poker fans' FAQs
Nevada the first state to legalize online poker
Nevada is the hub of the gambling universe, being home to the casinos mecca that is Las Vegas. It should therefore come as no surprise to learn that Nevada was the first US state to legalize online poker, in February 2013.
A bill to legalize online poker was signed off by Nevada governor Brian Sandoval, on the afternoon of Thursday, February 21, 2013. “We’re going to do it now. We’re going to beat New Jersey,” said Assembly Majority Leader William Horne, as per the Las Vegas Sun.
Horne was referring to the race between Nevada and New Jersey to be the first state to pass an online gaming bill. New Jersey would soon follow suit.
Why Nevada wanted the bill passed
The most obvious reason for any state passing gambling laws is to boost revenue, tax income and jobs. Nevada’s online gaming bill was no different, with Governor Sandoval saying: “This is an extremely important bill for our economy.”
Sandoval, like many others, sees online gaming as the future of the industry and wanted Nevada to be the first out of the gate. The hope is that the online legal poker bill will bring in millions of dollars to Nevada and effectively prompt a second boon time for the area.
Does the bill have the backing of federal law?
Nevada’s online poker bill is without the backing of federal law, but there has been a little movement on the federal side since the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) was passed.
The general consensus, with Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware having passed their own state laws to permit online gaming, is that federal authorities appear to be backing off the issue and letting things play out on a state-by-state basis.
How many legal online poker sites are licensed in Nevada?
If you looking for the best poker sites in Nevada, there are now two approved legal options to choose from. These are Real Gaming and WSOP.com (World Series of Poker).
If you want to play online legal poker, Nevada is therefore a good place to live. You can play inside the parameters of state law and use sites that have been vetted and approved by state officials.
How do the sites know where I live?
Players in Nevada have to go through a verification process before registering for one of the two legal online poker sites. In the case of Real Gaming, an app is provided that tracks your location by GPS.
Can Nevada residents play poker against players in other states?
Nevada and Delaware signed an agreement in February 2014 that allows for interstate competition between online poker players from the two states.
This is the only bill of its kind passed thus far, though others are predicted to follow.
FAQ
Is online poker legal in Nevada?
Yes. A bill was passed at state level in 2013, allowing online poker to be played by the residents of Nevada. There is no formal federal backing of this bill.
What age do you have to be to gamble in Nevada?
You have be 21 years old to gamble in Nevada, be it online or in the state’s casinos or betting outlets.
Are there live casinos in Nevada?
Yes. Las Vegas, Nevada, is arguably the casino capital of the world.
Can I make deposits in Nevada?
Yes you can, providing you do so using the two Nevada-approved sites for online legal poker.
