One of the biggest headaches for sports bettors visiting Las Vegas is the need to register and fund a separate mobile wagering account just to use in Nevada. That’s about to change slightly for BetMGM users.
This week BetMGM launched its single wallet feature in Nevada.
Last year BetMGM launched a single wallet for all users in states other than Nevada that offered legal online casino and/or sports betting. This meant BetMGM players could use the same app across state lines in any of the 25 states (plus Washington, DC and Puerto Rico) they served.
Nevada was excluded until this week. But the single wallet feature now available in Nevada comes with one small catch. Sports bettors from other states can use their BetMGM app upon arriving in Nevada, but they still must sign up for a new mobile sports wagering account in person at a sportsbook inside of an MGM Resorts casino property in Las Vegas.
New Nevada BetMGM accounts can be set up at the sportsbooks inside the following casinos:
The Mirage closed earlier this year so there's one less BetMGM sportsbook in Las Vegas. When the property reopens it will likely become the first Hard Rock sportsbook in Las Vegas.
Nevada gaming regulations still require in-person registration for all new mobile sports betting accounts. BetMGM's single wallet is not a perfect solution but it’s an improvement.
Someday, perhaps, Nevada gaming regulators will allow mobile account registration like most states with legal sports betting … but that's a longer story for another day.
The process to open a mobile sports betting account at a Vegas sportsbook only takes about 10-15 minutes. However, this is a speed bump for some visitors who want to wager on their mobile devices.
Once a player establishes a Nevada sports betting account, they can use the same BetMGM app that works in other states with legal online sports betting.
This may not be totally seamless, but it’s better than having to download, install, and set up a Vegas-only app to handle your usual sports bets when you visit.
Once your account has been set up at a retail MGM sportsbook, the process is complete. You can now open the same BetMGM app you use at home, and access your account in Nevada using the same login credentials you use elsewhere. You don’t need to deposit additional funds to begin wagering in Nevada. If your account already has a positive balance – that bankroll can travel with you across state lines.
And likewise, all your responsible gaming status settings will stay the same in all states where BetMGM operates – so no need to rethink or reprogram your betting limits.
BetMGM may be the first to market with a single wallet in Nevada but it won’t be the last. Caesars is already working on their own single wallet that includes Nevada. Caesars owns William Hill, so those users should look for an upgrade as well.
Circa Sports operates in four other states. There could be an app upgrade that would allow players in Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, and Kentucky to use the same wallet when in Nevada.
Boyd Gaming has casinos in 10 states but only operates its Las Vegas sportsbooks. FanDuel operates the sportsbooks for Boyd everywhere outside of Nevada.
Since in-person registration is still required, FanDuel might not update its app to include Nevada. If that’s the case, don’t look for DraftKings to change their stance in staying out of Nevada.
Marc was born and raised in New York City. He now resides in Las Vegas, where he’s been covering casinos and gaming for more than a decade. The gaming floor is the epicenter of Las Vegas casinos but so many great Las Vegas memories happen at bars, restaurants and other attractions. Finding the right combination goes a long way to a fun Las Vegas experience.Marc has been gambling since elementary school when he learned about sports betting and playing poker. Visiting casinos started a quest for knowledge from finding the best gaming odds and rewards to get the best bang for the buck on every visit.
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