You just touched down in Las Vegas.
You reach for the phone, ready to place your first sports wager for Super Bowl LVIII, and … you can’t.
Your sportsbook app from a different legal sports betting state doesn’t work. Heck, it might not even exist in the Silver State. Why? Because Nevada has very different mobile wagering laws than other U.S. states.
This is bound to frustrate fans arriving in Sin City for the Big Game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers, the slight favorite for Sunday’s showdown.
Here’s what you need to know about Super Bowl betting in Las Vegas this week:
How do I get a mobile account?
Nevada is the only market among the 38 U.S. legal sports betting states to prohibit remote registration. State law requires anyone 21 or over wishing to bet through an online operator to sign up in person and provide valid state-issued identification (from any state). New customers must also complete a W-9 form.
These in-person steps can be done at brick-and-mortar sportsbooks.
Which sportsbooks offer online wagering?
If you want to bet on the Super Bowl in Las Vegas, some familiar brands await. Caesars and BetMGM, two of the top four operators in the U.S. market, own a vast majority of the Strip’s casino properties and have mobile betting apps. Wynn also has online wagering through its Strip property as well as Encore.
William Hill and Circa Sports, one of the most popular sportsbooks in Las Vegas, can be found downtown.
On and off-strip sportsbooks through Boyd Gaming, CG Sports, STN Sports, and South Pointe provide options. SuperBook at the Westgate has an app as well.
What about FanDuel and DraftKings?
Sorry, but those apps won’t work on your phone, and you won’t find nearly as much branding from those operators as your legal sports betting state because Nevada doesn’t license online companies. ESPN BET and Fanatics Sportsbook are other popular operators missing from the Las Vegas scene.
Do Las Vegas sportsbooks offer bonuses?
Yes. With so much competition in one city, many sportsbooks are looking to attract online customers with bonus bets and deposit bonuses, but bettors will have to shop for the best offers, and they might not be as robust as other online markets.
How do I fund the mobile account?
Once registered, you’ll need to make an in-person deposit at the sportsbook. The minimum amount varies by sportsbook but can be between $50 and $100.
William Hill offers “Deposit Hot Spot” kiosks located in bars and 7-Elevens throughout Las Vegas.
What if I don’t want to bet on a mobile app?
That’s fine, and you aren’t alone. Online wagering only makes up about 65% of Nevada’s overall handle, much lower than other U.S. states.
The old-fashioned way still works well in Las Vegas. Just walking the Strip and popping in at any casino will give you easy access to a retail sportsbook counter or kiosk.
Many of the same offerings as a mobile app will be available, including Super Bowl’s spread, total, quarter plays, and prop bets.
Sportsbook employees can help with any questions or walk you through the process if needed.
How many people are betting on the Super Bowl this year?
This is the first year Las Vegas has hosted the Super Bowl, so record projections are expected.
According to an American Gaming Association survey, nearly 68 million American adults will wager on the Super Bowl and more than $23 billion is expected to be bet on the Big Game.
Nevada is the second U.S. state to host the NFL’s premier event after Arizona held the game last year.
