Nevada sportsbooks have experienced a notable decline in wagering volume during 2026, with industry leaders attributing part of this drop to the rise of prediction markets operating amid ongoing legal disputes.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board’s latest report shows that statewide sportsbook wagers totaled $545.7 million in May 2026, a 5.4% decrease compared to May 2025. Mobile wagers also declined by 3.1%, reaching $409.8 million. This follows a trend of reduced betting activity over several months, with April and March showing even larger year-over-year decreases.
Veteran bookmaker Joe Asher, CEO of Boomer’s Sportsbook, and Eric Hession of Caesars Digital addressed these concerns during a hearing before the Nevada Gaming Control Board. They highlighted that prediction market operators such as Kalshi and Polymarket have been capturing market share traditionally held by Nevada’s licensed sportsbooks.
Prediction markets enable users to wager on outcomes of major events like the World Cup, NBA Finals, and Stanley Cup Finals. Despite a May 18 judicial order barring Kalshi from accepting sports wagers in Nevada, the Gaming Control Board alleges that Kalshi continues to operate in the state. Kalshi disputes these claims, maintaining compliance with the order.
Asher provided examples of bettors using Kalshi within Nevada despite the court order. He described one individual who changed his app location to California to place bets, and another who placed a bet during dinner while sitting nearby. Asher also expressed frustration over Kalshi advertisements appearing in Nevada, including a prominent Super Bowl billboard on the Las Vegas Strip and ads appearing within app stores on his phone.
Board member George Assad remarked, “To me, if people couldn’t bet with prediction markets, especially in Nevada, they’d be betting with you and other operators,” to which Asher responded, “of course, there has to be an impact from the prediction markets.“
For players and bettors, the rise of prediction markets presents both expanded wagering options and potential risks. These platforms often operate under different regulatory frameworks than traditional sportsbooks, which can affect consumer protections, dispute resolution processes, and responsible gambling measures. The ongoing legal uncertainty surrounding prediction markets in Nevada may influence their availability and reliability.
Players should stay informed about the regulatory status of any platform they use and understand how protections may differ between traditional sportsbooks and prediction markets. Additionally, sportsbooks may adjust promotions, odds, and betting limits in response to competition from these new operators.
For further details on Nevada sports betting and regulatory developments, visit GamblingNews.today USA and Betting. The primary source for this report is CDC Gaming.
Additional context on Nevada gaming regulation and industry trends can be found in recent reports such as Fertitta Entertainment’s regulatory review process for Caesars acquisition (CDC Gaming) and Colorado casino revenue trends (CDC Gaming).
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