Nevada Updates Guidelines on Cross-Border Online Gambling
Nevada Enhances Guidelines for Online Gambling Beyond Its Borders
The primary gambling regulator in Nevada has released updated recommendations for its licensed operators to exercise greater caution when engaging in online betting activities outside state limits. This directive, issued on a Friday evening by the Nevada Gaming Control Board, highlights the rapid expansion of digital wagering and addresses the complex legal uncertainties surrounding international operations.
New Advisory Reflects Increasing Complexity of International Online Gaming
The five-page document, endorsed by Board Chair Mike Dreitzer, outlines how advancements in online casino platforms and software have enabled operators to connect with players globally. Given this expanded reach, the Board emphasized that license holders face a complicated landscape of international regulations. The guidance aims to assist operators in avoiding violations of Nevada’s foreign gaming laws, which could result in penalties domestically.
The Board notes that many companies struggle to determine the legality of online gambling in various countries. These challenges are further complicated by different modes of game delivery—whether local or remote—and diverse business models in the sector. The memo identifies three common operational structures: direct customer-facing businesses, providers offering technology and platforms to operators, and distributors who supply game content to multiple partners.
Regulators Highlight Need for Caution Amid Expanding List of Restricted Nations
The Board has identified a list of countries it currently classifies as “prohibited” for gaming activities under Nevada licenses. This list includes Australia, China, Cuba, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Thailand. Dreitzer clarified that this list is not exhaustive and may be updated. Therefore, licensees are urged to conduct comprehensive legal assessments before entering any foreign market.
Operators are warned against assuming leniency or lack of enforcement in a jurisdiction implies permitted activity. Instead, they are encouraged to perform their own legal due diligence and consult with their internal compliance teams. In certain cases, reaching out to the Board’s Investigations Division might be necessary. For business-to-business and aggregator models, reliance on partner compliance is acceptable only if contractual requirements are satisfied.
The guidance also outlines indicators that suggest a jurisdiction may be unsuitable for gaming operations. These include outright legal prohibitions, enforcement actions against operators or gamers, and technical barriers such as domain blocking or payment restrictions. Given the frequent and rapid changes in gaming laws worldwide, the Board recommends reviewing all applicable jurisdictions at a minimum every two years.
While no specific incident prompted this advisory, its release underscores ongoing regulatory vigilance as online gambling continues to cross international boundaries.
