Last updated: August 13, 2018
Creating and using an online poker account in Nevada
Is there a list of licensed online poker rooms in Nevada to pick from?
The Nevada Gaming Commission maintains a list of operational online poker rooms, and they maintain a list of approved license holders (operators and service providers) here.
Currently, there are only two online poker rooms operating in Nevada:
- WSOP.com
- Real Gaming hosted by South Point
Who can create an online poker account in Nevada?
Anyone over the age of 21 and currently within the borders of Nevada is eligible to participate in the state’s real-money online poker games. Players outside the state can register at an online poker site, but will not be able to play for real money.
Prospective players must pass a Know Your Customer check (KYC check) which is a combination of ID verification and geolocation verification.
Do any Nevada online poker rooms offer play-money games?
Yes.
All Nevada online poker rooms (even some providers that have yet to launch for real-money) will offer a play-money version of their software. Unlike real-money games, players across the globe can register an account and participate at the play money tables.
Other than age and location, are there any other restrictions that would preclude me from playing real-money online poker in Nevada?
Yes. In addition to being at least 21 years old and located within Nevada’s borders, there are several other restrictions in place:
* you must have a clean record with the Nevada Gaming Commission
* you cannot be a High-level employee at one of the online poker sites
* you cannot work for the NGC, NGCB, or be an elected official in Nevada
How do I create a Nevada online poker account?
Creating an account at a Nevada online poker room is a relatively simple process.
The first step is to register an account at the online poker room, which involves filling out an online form that will include basic information, such as your name, address, and date of birth—similar to any online transaction you would make at a retail store.
Step two in the process requires you to pass a Know Your Customer (KYC) check from the site; verifying your identity and location, and confirming your eligibility to participate in online poker games in Nevada.
The final step in the process is to deposit money into your account.
What information do online poker sites in Nevada need to verify my account?
In most cases, the internet poker provider will only need to gather basic information from a player, such as their name, address, DOB, and phone number.
According to player verification company CAMS, most verification checks can be confirmed with just a name and address. However, most online poker providers in Nevada will require more information than this.
Additionally, if a player’s KYC check comes back denied or unverifiable, some players may need to submit further proof of their identities such as their driver’s license or social security number.
What is player verification?
Player verification is a process that allows the online poker room (through a licensed third-party vendor) to confirm that you are who you say you are and that you meet the criteria to participate in Nevada’s online poker games.
Player verification methods can range from public age and ID verification sources to the use of credit bureaus, to phone verification services, such as texting a PIN.
What is geolocation verification?
Geolocation verification allows the online poker room to pinpoint your location through your IP address or by tracking your mobile phone/device location. Online poker rooms in Nevada must be able to verify your current location in order to verify that you are within the state.
Like KYC checks, geolocation service providers must be licensed in Nevada.
What games are offered at Nevada online poker sites?
WSOP.com offers a multitude of poker games. The site offers cash game versions of:
- Limit and no-limit Hold’em
- Pot-limit and limit Omaha and Omaha hi-lo
- Limit Stud and Stud hi-lo
Stakes for these games range from $.01/$.02. Though the site offers this range of stakes, the higher stakes rarely run, and any no-limit Hold’em stakes above $1/$2 run infrequently outside of the summer when the player pool grows during the World Series of Poker.
WSOP.com also offers a range of Sit N’ Gos and MTTs. For SNGS, there are turbos and super turbos in addition to the regular format. MTTs are primarily no-limit Hold’em, but there are a fair amount of PLO events as well.
Currently, Nevada shares online poker players with Delaware via a compact. New Jersey also joined the compact, so WSOP.com began pooling its Nevada and New Jersey players starting on May 1, 2018.
Thanks to player pooling, WSOP.com is now the largest regulated online poker site in the United States. As such, game selection is much better than when New Jersey players were not at the tables.
Are there any plans for Nevada to add casino games in the future?
At the present time, Nevada is focusing on online poker, but the addition of casino games cannot be ruled out further down the road.
Both New Jersey and Delaware offer online casino games without incident. Pennsylvania recently legalized online casinos as well.
Banking options
What deposit options are available in Nevada?
Online poker players in Nevada have the following options available to them:
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- ACH/Bank transfers
- In-person at an affiliated brick & mortar casino
- Paper checks
- Neteller
- PayPal
- 7-11 PayNearMe
Bear in mind that these options will not be available at all sites. New options such as online payment processors may be approved down the road. You can see each site’s deposit and withdrawal options by visiting their website and clicking one of their deposit/banking links.
Another consideration is that despite legalization, some credit card providers and banks are rejecting online gambling transactions.
How long does it take for my deposit to be verified and accepted?
Depending on the method this process could be completed in a minute (credit card transactions) or take up to a week (mailing a paper checks).
What withdrawal options are available in Nevada?
To withdraw from your online gaming account you must first meet any criteria set forth by the site (such as clearing a deposit bonus), and then it is simply a matter of selecting the withdrawal method you would like to use from the listed options at the site, which can be found in your account page.
A second option is to request a withdrawal in person at the cashier cage of the casino.
Like deposit methods, some methods may not be available at every site.
How long does it take to receive a withdrawal from an online poker room in Nevada?
Withdrawal times vary based on the chosen method. Requesting a cashout at an affiliated casino will be processed immediately, while bank transfers and checks can take anywhere from two to seven days to be completed.
- $100 in Bonus Play on 1st Deposit
- 100% up to $1,000 on Deposit
- Use Bonus Code: 25FREE
Oversight and regulation
Are online poker sites in Nevada safe to use?
All licensed online poker rooms in the state are regulated by the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) and the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB). Sites must undergo periodic, rigorous audits, and must submit data covering everything from player account balances to their RNG and security procedures on a regular basis.
Where can I see the regulations governing online poker in Nevada?
The regulations and information about both regulatory bodies (NGC and the NGCB) can be found at www.gaming.NV.gov.
The website is easy to navigate, with drop-down menus on virtually any topic you can imagine.
What is an operator license?
An operator license in Nevada allows the recipient to run and maintain an online poker room in the state.
What is a service provider license?
A service provider license in Nevada covers a wide variety of services, ranging from online poker software providers to geolocation and financial companies. There are several classes of service provider licenses available in Nevada as well.
Is there a list of the companies that have been granted online gaming licenses in Nevada?
Yes. You can find a complete list of companies licensed in Nevada to provide online gaming services at the NV.gov website. The lists are broken down by category.
Responsible gambling
Can I be banned from an online poker site in Nevada?
Yes.
As is the case at live casinos, if you are caught cheating or breaking the rules in some other way you can be banned from playing online poker in Nevada.
If I have a gambling addiction can I self-ban myself?
Yes.
The Gaming.NV.gov website allows players to self-exclude themselves. You can find more resources about problem gambling here.
Can I file a complaint against an online poker site with regulators?
Yes.
The nv.gov website has an online complaint that can be filed. You can find the form here.