You’d think Las Vegas would be the mothership for a company like DraftKings. It’s the gambling capital of the world, right? You walk down the Strip, and there are flashing lights, massive sportsbooks with 50-foot screens, and people parlaying their mortgage away on every corner. But if you open your phone to place a bet on the DraftKings app while sitting at a blackjack table in the Bellagio, you’re going to get a very polite "no."
Honestly, it’s one of the most confusing things for tourists. You’ve got a DraftKings account you use in New York, Arizona, or Illinois, but the second you cross that Nevada state line, the app basically turns into a paperweight.
The short answer? No. DraftKings is not legal in Nevada for sports betting or daily fantasy sports (DFS). As of early 2026, the situation has actually gotten even more tense between the Boston-based giant and Nevada regulators.
Why is DraftKings legal in Nevada a total "no-go" right now?
It basically comes down to a turf war. Nevada has some of the strictest, most "old school" gaming laws in the country. They’ve been doing this since the 1930s, and they aren’t about to let an out-of-state tech company come in and play by different rules.
There are two main reasons why you can't use the app there:
- The In-Person Rule: In Nevada, you can't just download an app and start betting from your couch. State law requires you to physically walk into a brick-and-mortar casino, show your ID to a human being, and fill out paperwork to activate a mobile betting account. Since DraftKings doesn’t own a casino in Nevada, they don’t have a place for you to do that.
- The DFS Ban: Back in 2015, the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) decided that Daily Fantasy Sports is actually gambling. Most states treat DFS as a "game of skill," but Nevada said, "Nope, that’s sports betting." They told DraftKings they needed a full gambling license to operate. DraftKings basically said "thanks, but no thanks" and left the state.
The Prediction Market Drama of 2025
Something wild happened recently that pushed the two sides even further apart. In late 2025, DraftKings and their biggest rival, FanDuel, officially pulled their license applications in Nevada.
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Wait, they had applications? Yeah, they were trying to find a way in. But the NGCB caught wind that DraftKings wanted to launch "prediction markets"—basically letting people trade "contracts" on the outcome of games, almost like the stock market.
Nevada regulators hated this.
Mike Dreitzer, the Chairman of the NGCB, made it clear that these prediction markets were "incompatible" with Nevada’s gaming industry. He basically told them that if they wanted to do that stuff elsewhere, they weren't welcome in Nevada. In November 2025, DraftKings’ Chief Compliance Officer, Jen Aguiar, confirmed they were withdrawing their inactive application.
It was a "break up before we even started dating" moment.
Can you use DraftKings DFS in Las Vegas?
Nope. If you’re a fantasy shark looking to set your NFL lineup while lounging at a pool party, you’re out of luck. Nevada is one of the very few states—alongside places like Hawaii, Idaho, and Washington—where DraftKings DFS is strictly blocked.
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Even though DraftKings actually has a massive 90,000-square-foot office in Southwest Las Vegas (it's a beautiful building, honestly), they don't offer their products to the people living right outside its doors. They use the Vegas office for customer support and corporate tech, but the geofencing on the app is tight. It knows exactly where you are.
What can you actually use in Nevada?
If you're in Nevada and want to bet on your phone, you aren't totally stuck. You just have to do it the Nevada way. You’ll need to download an app from a local operator and then go to their physical location to finish the setup.
- BetMGM: Since MGM owns half the Strip, this is the easiest one to find. Go to the sportsbook at the MGM Grand or Aria, sign up, and then you can use the app anywhere in the state.
- Caesars Sportsbook: Same deal. Walk into any Caesars property (Paris, Flamingo, Planet Hollywood) and register.
- Circa Sports: If you’re a serious bettor, this is the gold standard. Their app is great, but you’ve got to visit their massive downtown casino or one of their satellite desks to get it running.
- STN Sports: This is the Station Casinos app. It’s huge for locals who live away from the Strip.
The "Arizona Border" Trick
Some people are so dedicated to their DraftKings rewards points that they’ll actually drive to the border. It sounds insane, but it happens.
If you drive about 45 minutes south of Las Vegas toward the California/Arizona border, you can technically cross into Arizona (where DraftKings is legal). Once you cross the line and the app pings a cell tower in Arizona, it unlocks. You place your bets, turn around, and drive back to Vegas.
Is it worth the gas? Probably not. But people do it.
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When will DraftKings finally be legal in Nevada?
Don't hold your breath.
With the recent 2025/2026 fallout over prediction markets, the relationship between DraftKings and Nevada regulators is at an all-time low. Nevada is protective of its "gold standard" of regulation. They want everyone to play by their specific rules, including the in-person registration requirement. DraftKings wants to be a digital-first company that operates under federal CFTC rules for some of its new products.
Those two philosophies are currently crashing into each other.
Quick Summary for Your Trip:
- Sportsbook App: Works in 26+ states, but not Nevada.
- Daily Fantasy: Blocked.
- Casino App: Blocked.
- The Fix: Use BetMGM or Caesars, but you must visit a physical window first.
If you’re heading to Vegas soon, just accept that your DraftKings account is going on a temporary vacation. Delete the app for the weekend (or just ignore the "Location Error" messages) and check out the retail sportsbooks. There's nothing quite like the energy of a Vegas book during a Raiders game anyway.
Actionable Next Steps:
Before you head to Nevada, check your DraftKings account for any open bets. You can still see your account and withdraw money while in Nevada; you just can't place new wagers. If you really want to bet on your phone while there, look up the nearest MGM or Caesars property to your hotel so you can do the in-person registration as soon as you drop your bags.