Nevada is set to enact a law that will enhance its ability to tackle illegal gambling activities, whether on land or online. 

Senate Bill (SB) 256, presented by State Sen. Rochelle Nguyen (D-Las Vegas) in February, was approved by the Nevada Assembly with a 42-0 vote on Thursday, following its earlier passage in the State Senate by a vote of 20-0 six weeks prior. 

Upon becoming law, the bill will enhance Nevada's authority to prosecute those running illegal in-person gambling venues and online casinos, and will greatly increase the penalties surpassing the current $50K fine for unlawful operators. 

Las disposiciones de la SB 256 incluyen: 

• allowing Nevada to prosecute unlicensed operators even if they are out of state, as long as they accept bets from people in Nevada
• forcing illegal gamblers to forfeit all earnings back to the state, which would redirect it to its general fund
• upgrading some gambling offenses from misdemeanors to felonies carrying up to 10 years in prison
• significantly stiffening penalties for running illegal offshore gambling sites, including (though not explicitly stated) so-called “sweepstakes casinos”

“This is a crucial issue that affects not only the credibility of our gaming regulations but also consumer protections and state revenues,” said Nevada Janice Wong, the legislative intern for the bill’s author, Sen. Rochelle Nguyen (D-Las Vegas), during a hearing on the bill in March.

“With the rise of online gaming apps, we’ve seen an increasing number of unlicensed platforms operating in the shadows accepting illegal wagers, engaging in fraudulent practices, and profiting outside the bounds of our regulatory framework,” Wong said. “These bad actors not only undermine our legal gaming industry but also put our consumers at risk.”

According to the American Gaming Association, illegal online casinos took in over $400 billion in bets in 2024, resulting in more than $17 billion in lost revenue for licensed gaming operators in the US. 

Another Small Obstacle 

Due to the Nevada Assembly's amendments to the bill prior to its passage, SB 256 must return to the State Senate for agreement before it reaches Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo for signature into law. 

The Assembly's sole amendment involved adding Assemblymember Brittney Miller as the bill's co-sponsor, a step that is expected to encounter little opposition in the Senate. 

The Nevada Gaming Control Board, the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers, and the Nevada Resort Association strongly support the bill.