Nevada

Neighboring Arizona makes gains on Nevada sports-betting business

Published

2 years ago

June 2, 2024

Neighboring Arizona makes gains on Nevada sports-betting business

Arizona, Nevada’s closest geographic competitor for legal sports wagering, may be gunning for the Silver State after a record sports handle was recorded there in March.

Buoyed by hosting the NCAA Tournament’s Final Four this year, the Arizona Department of Gaming reported last week that the state’s 16 vendors took $760 million in wagers, an all-time high for the state, which has had legal sports betting only since September 2021. That total was up 17.8 percent from March 2023.

Nevada, which is no slouch for March Madness betting, took $784.4 million in wagers at 180 licensed sportsbooks, down 5.5 percent from a year ago.

Another key difference between Nevada and Arizona is that around two-thirds of sports bets in Nevada are made through mobile apps. In Arizona, almost all the action is taken through apps.

Chris Altruda, a sports wagering expert who formerly wrote for ESPN and The Associated Press, monitors sports wagering among the states that have legalized sports betting for
SportsHandle.com.

Although Arizona doesn’t break down wagering by event, Altruda is convinced that having the Final Four at State Farm Stadium in Glendale boosted interest in betting within the state. It also didn’t hurt that the University of Arizona was in the tournament as a No. 2 seed. It lost to Clemson in the Sweet 16.

“Though the Arizona Department of Gaming does not break out handle figures by sport-specific categories, it is evident that Phoenix serving as host of the Final Four gave plenty of sportsbooks a heightened bounce when it came to March action,” Altruda said in recent commentary about Arizona numbers.

Hosting big events

Hosting a major event can boost sports betting numbers. Nevada noticed that with record Super Bowl wagering in February when the game was played at Allegiant Stadium. The Final Four will come to Allegiant in 2029.

Altruda noted that FanDuel — a vendor in Arizona that isn’t licensed in Nevada — set a state record for handle at $265.1 million. Its biggest rival, DraftKings, which also isn’t licensed in Nevada, wasn’t far behind with its own monthly best of $255.3 million.

Nevada does not break out handle or revenue by vendor.

“March also showed just how important mobile sports betting is to Arizona as its record handle was within $25.5 million of Nevada, where Las Vegas serves as a bucket-list destination for sports bettors who are also big fans of college basketball and the NCAA Tournament,” Altruda said.

“Arizona’s mobile handle accounted for 99 percent of the total handle compared to 64.6 percent in Nevada, and shows the Grand Canyon State’s 16 digital operators — regardless of market share penetration — are doing the right things needed to attract and retain business through both promotional offers and customer satisfaction.”

It would be interesting if FanDuel or DraftKings ever sought licensing in Nevada because they have national recognition, often offer promotional discounts to new players and offer fantasy sports games. But it isn’t likely they would venture into the state because of state policies requiring in-person verification of identification when first registering for wagering apps. Nevada companies have resisted allowing remote registration popular in most U.S. states that allow sports betting.

Change in policy?

After seeing last week’s April Nevada gaming win numbers, which included a decline in sports wagering, Altruda believes Nevada may need to re-examine its in-person registration policy.

“With Nevada still requiring in-person registration to gain access to mobile sports betting apps since the Las Vegas Strip is a gambling destination beyond sports wagering, it feels like the Silver State is quickly reaching a day of reckoning where this requirement may need to be waived,” he said. “Simply put, there are not enough in-person sporting events being held in Las Vegas and the state that will help stimulate substantial retail handle — this in turn puts pressure on sportsbooks to match year-over-year revenue totals with less action.”

Altruda said the jury is still out on how much Arizona can gain on Nevada’s sports wagering territory.

“It remains to be seen if Arizona can stay within shouting distance of Nevada when the NFL season rolls around this fall since pro football continues to be the primary mover of sports betting handle in the U.S.,” he said. “But in less than three years since launch, Arizona has positioned itself nicely to have the opportunity to challenge the original champion of legal sports wagering in this country for handle bragging rights at that time of year.”

Altruda has compiled a Top 10 list of states by sports betting handle, and Arizona has climbed into eighth place, well behind No. 3 Nevada.

Nevada has taken $40.1 billion in sports bets all time through March.

Leading the pack is New Jersey, $50.87 billion (through April), followed by New York, $43.42 billion (through April). New Jersey benefits from being in business for decades while New York capitalizes on its high-volume population.

Behind Nevada are Illinois, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Indiana, Arizona, Michigan and Virginia.

Evolution continuing

The sports betting landscape continues to evolve since the U.S. Supreme Court lifted the ban on states taking sports bets with its decision on the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018.

It’s unclear whether Nevada would ever lift its in-person registration requirement, a move that would need legislative action.

And meanwhile, sports betting remains a clouded issue in neighboring California, which could become the nation’s largest market if sports wagering is ever legalized there.

If that happens, all bets are off on where Nevada will rank nationally.

Contact Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on X.

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Nevada

Travel Nevada Presents The Neon in Nature Series, Featuring Artwork by DARIUSTWIN, at the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, January 15 – April 6, 2026

Published

11 hours ago

January 8, 2026

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Travel Nevada Presents The Neon in Nature Series, Featuring Artwork by DARIUSTWIN, at the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, January 15 – April 6, 2026

Nevada Division of Tourism

Unique exhibition marks DARIUSTWIN’s first museum show in the U.S.

LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESS Newswire / January 8, 2026 / Travel Nevada is proud to present The Neon in Nature Series, which features artwork by light painting photographer and animator Darren Pearson (better known as DARIUSTWIN)at the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, beginning January 15, 2026. The exhibition is DARIUSTWIN’s first U.S. museum show. To celebrate the exhibition opening, Travel Nevada will pay admission fees for the first 200 guests to arrive directly at the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas on Thursday, January 15, 2026.

Created exclusively in Nevada, The Neon in Nature Series captures just some of the stunning landscapes and striking night skies that you’ll find in Nevada when you get a little out there – all juxtaposed with DARIUSTWIN’s signature light paintings infused with and inspired by Nevada character (and characters). The exhibition will inspire museum guests to visit the Nevada ghost towns, state parks, historical landmarks, and more that take center stage in this unique, vibrant, and whimsical exhibition.

“Nevada’s diverse surroundings and dark night skies provided an ideal backdrop to compose this series,” said DARIUSTWIN. “I’m grateful to the Travel Nevada team for commissioning the work and to the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, for housing my very first museum exhibition in the country. I’m hopeful that it will encourage museum guests to travel throughout Nevada, which I found was so rich in history and ripe with adventure opportunities.”

“When the Travel Nevada team first saw DARIUSTWIN’s work, we immediately knew that a partnership with him would inspire people to get a little out there in the state. The Neon in Nature Series is a creative take on what makes Nevada special,” said Rafael Villanueva, chief executive officer of Travel Nevada. “Additionally, we’re thrilled that this exhibition will be housed in the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. We share a mission with the museum to enhance the quality of life for Nevada’s visitors and residents, and what better place to host The Neon in Nature series than a city whose history is intertwined with neon?”

The Neon in Nature Series, Presented by Travel Nevada will be on view at the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas through April 6, 2026.

“The Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas is delighted to host this art- and Nevada-focused installation by DARIUSTWIN,” said Hollis J. Gillespie, director of the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. “The Neon in Nature Series exemplifies our mission of educating the public about the history and natural history of the state, and it does so in an electrifying way. We look forward to sharing it with our visitors.”

EDITORS:  Select high-resolution images from The Neon in Nature Series, Presented by Travel Nevada are available here. Photo credit for all images: “Photo courtesy of Travel Nevada/DARIUSTWIN. ©️ 2024 DARIUSTWIN.”

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About Travel Nevada

The heart of Nevada shines through Travel Nevada, an organization focused on sharing the experiences, landmarks and living legends that make the Silver State a one-of-a-kind destination. Through community collaborations and strategic partnerships, we aim to connect with both locals and visitors alike, showcasing the sometimes-surprising, always-exciting treasures that keep people coming to Nevada. It’s theirs to explore-and ours to safekeep, from preserving our wild-at-heart way of life to our wide-open spaces. For more information, visit TravelNevada.com.

About the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas

Founded in 1982, the mission of the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, serves to educate a diverse public about the history and natural history of Nevada. The museum collects, preserves, exhibits, and disseminates material that contributes to an understanding and appreciation of the state. For more information, visit https://www.lasvegasnvmuseum.org/

About DARIUSTWIN

Darren Pearson, known as DARIUSTWIN, is a light painting photographer and animator whose glowing creations have illuminated landscapes around the world. Using long-exposure photography and custom crafted LED lights, Darren “paints” with light in real time, creating skeletal figures, dinosaurs, aliens, and fantastical characters that exist for only a moment before disappearing into the night. His work has been featured by National Geographic, Intel, Honda, and Apple, among others.

Based in Southern California, Darren has been creating light paintings for more than a decade, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary, one exposure at a time. See more at dariustwin.com and follow @dariustwin.

Contact:
Tracie Barnthouse, Chief Communications Officer
tbarnthouse@travelnevada.com; 775-624-0618

SOURCE: Nevada Division of Tourism

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

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Nevada

Nevada gets thrilling overtime win against Wyoming at home 70-60

Published

23 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Nevada gets thrilling overtime win against Wyoming at home 70-60

RENO, Nev. (Nevada Athletics) – Nevada Women’s Basketball won its second straight game Wednesday night, getting a thrilling 70-60 overtime win against Wyoming at Lawlor Events Center.

Reigning Old Trapper Mountain West Freshman of the Week Skylar Durley led the Pack (6-9, 2-3 MW) in scoring with 18 points and led both teams in rebounds with a career high 14, recording her first double-double of her career.

Ahrray Young went 5-for-10 from the field for 11 points to go with eight boards.

Nevada’s resilience in the latter part of the fourth, which was punctuated by a key block from Young, forced the game into overtime.

The Pack’s shutdown defense held Wyoming (4-10, 1-4 MW) at bay in the final five, only allowing one point off of a free throw.

On the other end, the offense of Nevada went on a 6-0 run and shot 83.3 percent from the field.

Nevada outscored Wyoming 11-1 and held the Cowgirls without a field goal in OT.

The Pack opened regulation in perfect fashion, shooting a 7-for-7 from the field, 2-for-2 from three and 2-for-2 from the line in the first five minutes of action.

Nevada had a 10-0 run that was capitalized by holding Wyoming to a two-and-a-half minute scoring drought.

Through the first quarter, Nevada shot 64.3 percent and remained perfect from both deep and free throws.

Nevada’s hot start simmered in the second, only getting six points and closing the quarter on a field goal drought of just under four minutes.

Meanwhile, Wyoming’s shooting improved from the first, closing the gap to two.

Despite the slower quarter, Nevada carried its lead into the second half, 45-41.

The third quarter was nearly even, Nevada only shooting slightly better and outscoring Wyoming, 15-14.

The game stayed close through the fourth with three ties and four lead changes, leading to extra time.

As a team, the Pack outrebounded the Cowgirls, 40-28, and had 24 bench points to their six.

Nevada will hit the road and look to even its conference record as it faces New Mexico Saturday at 12 p.m.

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Nevada

Centennial vs. Liberty: Watch Nevada girls high school basketball showdown live

Published

1 day ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

Centennial vs. Liberty: Watch Nevada girls high school basketball showdown live

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The defending 5A state champion Centennial Bulldogs (7-3) open conference play with a challenging road test Wednesday night when they travel to Henderson to face the Liberty Patriots (10-7) in a Nevada 5A Southern basketball clash.

Coach Karen Weitz’s Bulldogs, seeking their second consecutive state title, will rely on their formidable frontcourt duo of forwards Nation Williams and Inieye Oruh, complemented by standout guard Sanai Branch. They will face a Patriots squad that has shown marked improvement under head coach Lorenzo Jarvis, powered by senior leaders Samantha Chesnut and Kiana Harworth alongside junior standout Neviah Nick.

With Liberty’s home court advantage potentially neutralizing Centennial’s championship pedigree, this early conference matchup could set the tone for both teams’ title aspirations in the competitive 5A Southern division.

Opening tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. PT on Wednesday, January 7 with a live TV broadcast on NFHS Network.

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