Can you bet on the presidential election in Las Vegas?

Thinking about putting some money on the presidential election while you’re in Las Vegas? You might want to hold onto that cash, because betting on U.S. elections in the state of Nevada is actually a no-go! Unlike the rest of the world where people can freely wager on political outcomes, Las Vegas betting laws are all about sticking to sports, keeping elections strictly off-limits. Here’s a quick dive into why Vegas isn’t rolling the dice on politics and what other options are out there for political bettors.

2024 Election Betting in Vegas

Las Vegas is known for betting on just about everything, right? Well, not exactly. Back in the day, sports betting wasn’t even a big thing here because of high taxes, so the big casinos left it to smaller turf clubs. Things changed in the 1970s when taxes were lowered, and Vegas’s massive casinos finally got in on the sports betting game. But when it came to non-sporting bets (like political outcomes), the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) decided to play it safe. In 1985, they made it official: Nevada sportsbooks could only take bets on actual athletic events. 

The idea was that sports betting had clear, fair outcomes, but politics? That’s a whole other ball game. Regulators wanted to avoid any perception that the betting world could mess with election fairness. So, when in Las Vegas your options are sports, and maybe the Oscars if you’re lucky – but that’s it.

Why are there no election odds in Vegas?

Nevada’s reluctance to allow election betting comes down to maintaining the integrity and reputation of the gaming industry. The state’s gaming regulators argue that mixing gambling with political events could damage public trust, open up potential for abuse, and risk the credibility of the elections. While some industry advocates see potential in political betting, regulators remain hesitant to cross that line.

Even when a few casino managers argued that political bets could make elections more engaging and even boost voter turnout, Nevada decided to keep elections and betting on two different playing fields.

The history of election betting in the U.S., and particularly in Vegas, reveals a journey from informal wagers in the 19th century to a strict regulatory environment today. Nevada’s gaming industry, though highly innovative in sports betting, has drawn a clear boundary when it comes to political events, a stance that shows little sign of changing anytime soon.

So if you’re in Vegas and feeling like putting money on Trump, remember this: sports? Yes. Elections? Not in Las Vegas, baby! If you’re serious about placing that bet, betting online is your only option. And there’s no shortage of election odds available either! Betting on everything from presidential races to specific state winner outcomes is possible on various online betting platforms and offshore markets.

Recently, some U.S.-based startups have even sought to make political betting legal in the U.S. In September 2024, a federal court ruled in favor of Kalshi, allowing the platform to offer election-related contracts, marking a historic shift in the U.S. betting landscape. However, even these platforms face ongoing legal battles, reflecting the U.S.'s cautious approach to election betting.

Could you ever bet on politics in Vegas?

Betting on U.S. elections has a unique history, intertwining with the evolution of gambling laws and cultural attitudes towards wagering on public affairs. While political betting is popular in many parts of the world, the U.S., and particularly Las Vegas, has taken a notably cautious approach. Here’s a look at the highs and lows of election betting in the U.S. and how it has (or mostly hasn’t) found its way into Vegas.

Early History: Betting on U.S. Elections

Election betting is no recent phenomenon. In fact, in the 1800s, betting on presidential elections was popular in the U.S., especially in urban centers like New York. Newspapers even covered betting odds and wagers placed on election outcomes. Election betting in these times was part of the broader political enthusiasm and a common form of public speculation. However, betting on elections was more of an informal and socially accepted activity rather than a structured, legalized market.

Shift in Attitudes and the Prohibition Era

As the 20th century approached, attitudes toward gambling shifted, particularly during the Prohibition era. Lawmakers began associating gambling with organized crime, which led to crackdowns on various types of wagering, including election betting. By the 1930s, almost all forms of public betting had become illegal across the U.S., especially as authorities sought to clean up the gambling industry and eliminate crime-related influence.

Las Vegas Enters the Scene (1940s and 50s)

In 1949, Nevada became the first state to legalize sports betting, but this did not include non-sporting events like elections. Nevada wanted to maintain a clean image and didn’t want gambling to tarnish public opinion about important events like elections. In the early days, casinos were still wary of sports betting because of high tax rates, so smaller “turf clubs” dominated the scene. But once taxes were lowered in the 1970s, casinos entered the sports betting market full force, setting the stage for the highly regulated and sports-focused betting industry we know today.

Early Novelty Betting in Las Vegas

As Vegas’s sportsbooks grew in the 1970s, some casinos tried betting on unusual events to attract attention. They offered odds on everything from where a satellite would crash to the outcome of TV cliffhangers like “Who shot J.R.?” on Dallas. While these bets caught public interest, they also drew scrutiny. The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) quickly intervened, ruling that non-sports bets needed to meet strict criteria for fairness and verifiability. By 1985, Nevada formally banned wagering on anything outside athletic events. This included political elections, which were seen as particularly sensitive.

The 1985 Ban on Election Betting

In July 1985, Nevada’s regulators codified the rules: sportsbooks could only take bets on “athletic events on the field of play.” This prohibition included elections and most other non-sports events. Regulators were especially cautious about political betting because of the potential impact on public trust and the possibility of insider information influencing outcomes. They wanted to keep Nevada’s gaming reputation as credible and to avoid any perception that the betting industry could interfere with or profit from political affairs.

Attempts to Loosen the Rules (2011 to Present)

In 2011, Nevada regulators made a small move toward allowing limited non-sports betting. Sportsbooks could petition for bets on non-sporting events if the events were closely supervised, verifiable, and met public policy standards. This led to bets on events like the World Series of Poker or the Cy Young winner, but political bets were still off-limits. The NGCB remains firm in its stance against election betting, despite some sportsbook managers advocating for it, claiming it would increase political engagement.So, who can bet on US Elections?

As mentioned before, local jurisdictions determine the ability to vote on the US elections. Many people around the world have the ability to join online betting platforms and place their bets. These bets range

Conclusion

In Las Vegas, where you can usually bet on just about anything, election betting remains strictly off-limits, reflecting Nevada’s commitment to upholding the integrity of its gaming industry. Despite the evolving landscape of U.S. betting laws and some high-profile attempts to bring political wagers into the fold, Las Vegas has maintained a clear line between sports betting and political events. For now, if you’re set on wagering on the 2024 election, online platforms and offshore markets are your best bet. Las Vegas will stay true to its long-standing tradition: sports only, leaving politics out of the gamble.