Legal Aspects and Regulations

If you’re a gambler then there’s one thing you want from your casino of choice; fairness. Every player knows that the house always wins and that gambling is a game of chance. But that doesn’t mean we’re okay just handing over our money. We can live with the losses if we know the house is being 100% legit and legal in how it operates. Gambling has come a long way from the old days when disputes were mostly handled with a standoff at high noon. Now, we have regulatory bodies and rules in place that not only protect gamblers but also make gambling a safe and legitimate form of entertainment. So today, we’re going to take a closer look at the laws and bodies that are put in place to help protect gambling and keep it the fun and entertaining sport that it is.

Overview of Nevada Gambling Laws

Gambling is everywhere now. More and more states are making it legal and then there is of course the online gambling world that allows players to play from the comfort of their own home. Each of those has its own regulatory bodies and laws in place to protect players, but for this article, we’re going to be taking a look at the state that became synonymous with gambling; Nevada.

If you haven’t spun a slot machine or sat down at a blackjack table in Las Vegas or Reno then you’ve no doubt read or seen about it. Nevada is known for its gambling, and much of its tourism is built on gambling. Residents of Nevada work at casinos. Basically, if there wasn’t a gambling industry in Nevada the state would look a lot different than it does today.

Because much of Nevada’s reputation is tied to the gambling industry, it’s important that it has laws in place to protect the millions of people who come to play. And Nevada does. It’s renowned for some of the most extensive and well regulated gambling in the world. If you’re playing on the Vegas Strip then you’re playing a 100% legit form of gambling. This is important because it gives players a sense of relief and confidence that they’re playing a game that isn’t rigged. If a player knows that then they’re much more likely to return - win or lose.

When it started, gambling in Nevada was pretty bare. You had a few table games and some slots. But as it has grown in popularity, Nevada now features many more gambling options. You have casino games - like slots and table games, sports betting, interactive gaming - like online gambling. Each one of these has its own set of rules to ensure it is safe and legitimate.

For instance, those games you’re playing on the Las Vegas Strip are in a specific zone, determined by the regulatory bodies - which we’ll touch on later. The games that fall into this zone must meet certain criteria - like floor and amenity requirements. Basically, a casino must make sure that they are offering players basic things such as enough chairs, drinks and other things.

If a casino is running a sportsbook or has an online component, those require their set of licenses and requirements.

When you sit down to play or make a bet, all you see is the game in front of you. But behind the scenes, there are dozens of people working hard and laws in place to ensure that the game you’re playing is the fairest it can be.

Player Rights and Protections

The house always wins. But that doesn’t mean it can’t protect its players! Players want to know that the casinos are taking all the steps they possibly can to ensure their safety and fairness. That’s why each and every game is under strict oversight to make sure that it is fair and has no level of criminal activity to it. This is important because we all know that Las Vegas was built with a lot of Mob influence. Games back then weren’t as legit or even safe to play. But those days are gone and with the implementation of strict laws, players can rest easy knowing that when they sit down to play blackjack - or any other game - it is 100% safe and fair.

If you’ve ever been to a Las Vegas casino then you’ve most likely seen a sign posted that players must be at least 21 years of age in order to gamble. That rule is put in place for player protection. Obviously, children shouldn’t be gambling, so casinos have put the age limit in place in order to protect children from getting into any kind of financial problems that are too young to really grasp. If a casino is caught allowing underaged players onto the casino floor, they risk facing harsh penalties such as fines or even risk being shut down.

Another protection that casinos have in place is to protect players from themselves. These come in the form of responsible gambling policies. These take on many forms. One of which is that casinos will train their employees to recognize when a player is exhibiting harmful behavior. This could be stress, excessive betting, or too much alcohol. When players are showing these signs, the casino and its employees will take the steps necessary to save the players from themselves. It’s very easy for players to dig themselves into a financial hole, and while casinos make their money off players, they do not want to see them in distress.

Another way casinos can help is by giving players information on groups such as Gamblers Anonymous. These groups can help players who have gambling problems get over those issues. It’s very easy for players to get into financial troubles while gambling, so it’s important that casinos help players. These groups are an important tool for players and can help them break those harmful tendencies.

Casinos also don’t allow players to use credit or debit cards at the tables or at slots. Yes, they have ATM machines on the floor, but they do not allow players to buy chips with a credit card. This is another way casinos can help curb harmful gambling. Casinos - especially online casinos - will also give players the option to self exclude themselves. This is for players who identify they have a problem and want to take the steps to save themselves. If a player takes that step, casinos will honor it and that player will not be allowed to gamble.

Dispute Resolution and Regulatory Bodies

We’ve talked a lot about the regulatory bodies that are responsible for these laws and protections. But what are they? Well, there are a few. First, we have the Nevada Revised Statutes - the NRS. This body provides the legal backbone for the gambling industry. They are responsible for all the laws and other frameworks that casinos must abide by in order to be able to operate.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board - the NGCB - and the Nevada Gaming Commission - the NGC - are the two bodies players most likely have heard of. These organizations are responsible for overseeing all of the gambling activities that take place within Nevada. Basically, the NGCB is the body responsible for enforcing the gaming laws the NRS puts in place. Also, if a casino is looking to open or if a business wants to offer gambling, the NGCB will be the body that oversees the applications for all gaming licenses.

The NGC, on the other hand, is the decision maker. It is the final step and is the body that will approve or deny the licenses based on the NGCB’s recommendations. These bodies work hand in hand in order to provide casinos with the rules and guidelines they must follow in order to operate.

If a player has a dispute or a grievance - such as a malfunction on a slot - they will file a complaint with the NGCB. The NGCB will investigate the matter and it has the power to handle and mediate all disputes between players and casinos.

There is another way casinos handle potential problems, and that is through the Bank Secrecy Act - or the BSA. This handles financial disputes and imposes anti - money laundering requirements on casinos. This prevents casinos from allowing players to exchange money obtained through criminal activities at a casino so that it becomes legal money.

If a casino suspects this is taking place, they are required to file a Currency Transaction Report and a Suspicious Activity Report.

Conclusion

We love gambling. We love the excitement and the thrill it brings, but we also want to know that the games we are playing are regulated, safe and fair. These laws and regulatory bodies we touched on are the ones behind the scenes ensuring that each and every player that steps foot in a Las Vegas casino - or any casino in Nevada - will be playing a fair game with just as much chance of winning as anyone else. So the next time you take a trip to win big Nevada, know that you are playing the most regulated and fair games in any state.