Nevada Sportsbooks See No Need for New Rules Despite National Betting Scandals

A wave of gambling controversies has hit major U.S. sports in recent weeks, prompting concerns about wagering integrity across both in-person and online sportsbooks and casinos. Issues involving players across the NBA, NCAA, MLB, and UFC have prompted a U.S. Senate inquiry and prompted some states and leagues to tighten restrictions.

MLB introduced a national $200 limit on pitch-by-pitch bets after two Cleveland Guardians pitchers were accused of taking bribes to influence individual pitches. The NFL also reaffirmed limits on specific props, particularly those tied to single-play outcomes.

Nevada Takes a Different Approach

Despite rising pressure elsewhere, Nevada sportsbooks say they do not expect any changes to the state’s wagering rules. Operators argue that Nevada’s system already strikes the right balance between monitoring and flexibility, and they see no operational reason to adjust their offerings.

Circa sportsbook director Chris Bennett noted that integrity issues will always exist where incentives are strong enough to compromise outcomes. In his view, imposing broad limits does not eliminate the risk; instead, it reduces operators’ ability to compete and manage their markets effectively.

Why Micro-Bets Aren’t a Nevada Issue

Many of the recent scandals centre on micro-betting markets, such as pitch-level wagers, that are popular on national apps like DraftKings and FanDuel. Nevada’s major books, including Circa and the Westgate SuperBook, do not offer these markets. As a result, operators say the risks driving national restrictions don’t apply in the same way to Nevada’s betting environment.

Bookmakers Rely on Experience, Not New Rules

Westgate vice president of race and sports John Murray said that experienced oddsmakers remain Nevada’s strongest defence against suspicious activity. Earlier this month, the Westgate removed a UFC fight from the board after identifying unusual betting patterns. Murray said this type of internal monitoring is routine and more effective than adding new restrictions.

Regulators See No Need for Adjustments

The Nevada Gaming Control Board has not requested changes to in-play or prop betting menus and continues to work directly with professional leagues. Officials say their focus remains on maintaining safe, fair, and secure wagering opportunities rather than reacting to every national headline.

Concerns Over Pushing Bettors Offshore

Bookmakers warn that overly tight restrictions, especially removing popular prop markets, could push bettors toward illegal offshore sites. They point out that prop bets account for a large share of major-event handle, especially during the Super Bowl, and removing them would have little benefit while increasing the appeal of unregulated operators.

Nevada’s Wagering Model Remains Stable

While the national conversation around betting integrity continues, Nevada’s major sportsbooks remain confident in their current framework. Operators accept that player-specific or amateur-level markets may face more scrutiny over time, but expect any adjustments to be minimal.

For now, Las Vegas remains committed to its established approach: experienced staff, active monitoring, and operator-driven market decisions.