Nevada is home to Las Vegas, a hub for gambling with a global reputation. But is Stake legal in Nevada? The answer might surprise you as Stake.com is unavailable in the US, and Stake.us, the sweepstakes casino, is legal in the US but not in Nevada.
This guide seeks to provide insights into the online gambling industry in Nevada and why Stake.us is available in 43 US states but not the Silver State. We will also offer a legal alternative option for NV players who wish to enjoy the sweepstakes experience in the state.
Despite Nevada being a major gambling hub, Stake.us is prohibited in the state due to its unique sweepstakes gambling laws, which restrict certain operators.
Stake.us operates as a sweepstakes casino using virtual currencies (Gold Coins & Stake Cash) and is legal in 43 states, while Stake.com is a real-money crypto casino that is unavailable in the US.
Stake.us follows a freemium model, offering free virtual currency with optional purchases, but remains restricted in Nevada, Washington, Idaho, New York, Michigan, Vermont, and Kentucky.
Players looking for legal sweepstakes casino options in Nevada can try LuckyLand Slots, which offers 150+ games, and Golden Hearts Games, a charity-run platform supporting social causes.
Both LuckyLand Slots and Golden Hearts Games allow players to enjoy casino-style games for free with the chance to win cash prizes, providing a viable substitute for Stake.us in Nevada.
Is Stake Legal in the US?
The answer depends on the Stake site in question. There are two ‘almost’ similar Stake sites: Stake.us and Stake.com.
- Stake.us is a sweepstakes casino operating on a dual-currency system (Gold Coins and Stake Cash), where players play free online casino games and win cash prizes. The site is legal in 43 states in the US, except for a few, including Nevada.
- On the flip side is Stake.com, a real-money online casino operating outside the US. In this platform, you must deposit funds in cryptocurrencies to play games and withdraw funds. You cannot play Stake.com in the US, even in states that have legalized online casinos.
Why Stake.us Isn’t Legal in Nevada
For a state heavy on casino gaming, how does Stake.us not make the cut? One, because Stake.us is not a real-money online casino, and two, because each state reserves the right to set its sweepstakes gambling laws, including the operators they allow or restrict.
As a sweepstakes casino, Stake.us uses a different model from regular online casinos. Instead of real money, sweepstakes casinos use virtual currencies known as Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins, referred to as Stake Cash in Stake.us. These coins are freely dispensed, explaining the ‘no purchase necessary’ concept associated with sweepstakes sites. But should you run out of the free coins, you can purchase them if you wish.
The model also referred to as the freemium model, has seen many states legalize sweepstakes casinos as they are easily free-to-play sites. The highlight is that you can redeem Sweeps Coins for cash prizes. So, in essence, you’ll have the same experience as regular online casinos, but only that you have the advantage of not risking your funds.
Today, Stake.us is legal in 43 US states, except the following:
- Nevada
- Washington
- Idaho
- New York
- Michigan
- Vermont
- Kentucky
Alternatives to Stake in Nevada
So, what happens if you wish to play sweepstakes games like those in Stake.us in Nevada? The good news is that even with Stake.us prohibited in the state, a few sweepstakes casinos are legalized, allowing you to play free casino-style games for cash money prizes.
Below, we take a look at the alternatives to Stake in Nevada:
LuckyLand Slots
LuckyLand Slots is one of the alternative sweepstakes casinos in Nevada. The platform allows players from 45 states, including Nevada. Exempted states include WA, CT, ID, MI, and MT. LuckyLand Slots welcomes players with a no deposit bonus of 7,777 Gold Coins + 10 Sweeps Coins and additional bonuses like daily login, hourly slot tournaments, social media contests, and a first-purchase bonus.
The platform features 150+ slots, instant win, blackjack, and bingo games from providers like Novomatic, ReelPlay, and Big Wave Gaming. You can buy optional GC or redeem SC through multiple options, including Visa/MasterCard, AMEX, Discover, PaySafeCard, Western Union, Skrill, and online banking.
Golden Hearts Games
Golden Hearts Games is another alternative sweepstakes casino we recommend for players in Silver State. However, it is not your usual sweepstakes casino, with the platform run by a charitable organization that does not profit from the activities. The unique aspect of Golden Hearts Games comes in when you decide to purchase coins. Instead of purchasing, you’ll be donating directly to a charity of your choice. So, as you play, you still support a good cause in the country.
As such, Golden Hearts Games is available in every US state. New players signing up will receive a no deposit bonus of 250,000 Gold Coins + 500 free Sweeps Coins. Additional bonuses await, including daily login, mail-in, and referral bonuses. The charity sweepstakes casino offers 90+ slots, poker, bingo, scratchcard, and keno from reputable studios like NetGame, Evoplay, and Booming Games. You’ll make transactions at Golden Hearts Games through Visa/MasterCard, AMEX, Discover, PayPal, Bank Transfers, and Checks.
Conclusion
It’s disappointing that Stake.us is not legal in Nevada. With all the goodies the site guarantees, like multiple bonuses and promos, a game portfolio with 950+ games, a hefty VIP program, and cryptocurrency payments, it may seem like NV players are missing a lot.
However, there is a reprieve with several alternatives in place, including Golden Hearts Games and LuckyLand Slots, inviting players to join and play online casino games for real money without risking a dime!