BetMGM announced on Thursday that its digital wallet for the Nevada sports wagering mobile application is now transferrable to other states where the company operates. This means bettors who sign up for a BetMGM account in Nevada can use the same account when traveling to any of the other 28 North American jurisdictions in which BetMGM is licensed to accept wagers.
For instance, a bettor who registers for a BetMGM account at one of MGM Resorts International’s Las Vegas Strip casinos can use that account in Arizona, Louisiana, Michigan, Ontario, Canada, and other areas where BetMGM is licensed. According to a press release, “Through its operation and partnership with MGM Resorts International and powered by Entain’s technology, this innovative feature makes BetMGM the only legalized sports betting app to allow Nevada residents and visitors to wager in the state and carry their funds to BetMGM mobile markets nationwide.”
When customers who have set up BetMGM accounts in Nevada travel to another state where the app is operational, they receive a pop-up message allowing them to select the version of the app specific to their current location. For example, when a Nevada account holder travels to New York and opens the BetMGM app, a message directs them to a menu that allows them to switch to the New York version of the app.
The news is significant because BetMGM is the first operator with clear ties to Nevada to leverage technology that prevents Nevada accountholders from needing to sign up for new sports wagering accounts in other states. However, there’s a limit to the convenience offered. Nevada still requires in-person registration for new mobile betting accounts, which forces bettors to enter a land-based casino and complete paperwork—a mandate seen as a barrier to broader adoption of mobile sports betting in the state.
This barrier has financial repercussions for Nevada. For example, in 2023, Nevada bookmakers handled $1.7 billion more in sports wagers than their Arizona counterparts, but Arizona generated $77 million more in revenue. Arizona permits new account signups over computers and phones, contributing to its financial advantage. Some experts predict Arizona’s revenue advantage over Nevada could grow to between $100 million and $200 million annually until Nevada eliminates the in-person registration rule.
BetMGM’s ability to link Nevada wallets to other states represents a milestone in mobile sports betting technology, potentially spurring similar efforts among competitors. Among the largest sportsbook operators in Nevada, only BetMGM and Caesars Sports conduct business in multiple states, making Caesars the most likely to attempt to replicate BetMGM’s technology. Other large Nevada sportsbook operators like Boyd Sports, Circa, and STN Sports only book bets within Nevada, eliminating the need to link accounts to other states. Notably, FanDuel and DraftKings, the two largest online sportsbook companies in the U.S., are not licensed in Nevada.
