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WSOP Sole Operator in Nevada as DraftKings and FanDuel Step Away
- DraftKings and FanDuel left Nevada over prediction-market disputes.
- WSOP.com now operates as the sole online poker site in Nevada.
- Nevada remains without major operator applications in online poker.
Image Credit: Jayne Furman/Pokernews
DraftKings and FanDuel withdrew from Nevada after a dispute with regulators over prediction-market products. WSOP.com becomes the sole operator in the region.
Nevada’s online poker field changed this week. DraftKings and FanDuel left the state. Their exit closes the door on any near-term online poker rivalry for WSOP.com. The move follows a direct conflict with state regulators over prediction-market products.
Reasons Behind the Withdrawal
The Nevada Gaming Control Board confirmed two actions last week. It accepted Flutter’s surrender of its FanDuel registration. It also approved DraftKings’ request to pull all pending filings.
In its notice, the NGCB stated that both operators planned to offer sports event contracts viewed as unlawful under state rules.
FanDuel CEO Peter Jackson told investors that the company could not balance its prediction-market plans with Nevada’s stance. He said the company needed to protect its own interests while Nevada protected theirs.
How Prediction Markets Sparked the Dispute
Prediction markets let users trade on outcomes tied to politics, sports, and economic data. They sit between financial tools and gambling. Platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket operate under oversight from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
Nevada holds a different view. The state considers these markets to be unlicensed sports event wagering. Regulators have issued cease-and-desist notices. They have warned licensees about disciplinary action. They have stated clearly that “sports event contracts” violate Nevada law.
DraftKings and FanDuel could not advance prediction-market products while holding a Nevada license. That clash forced their exit.
What the Exit Means for Nevada Online Poker
Their departure reshapes the state’s poker map. Nevada now sits with:
- WSOP.com as the sole regulated site
- No active applications from major operators
- No clear path for new entrants
Flutter’s PokerStars remains blocked by the same licensing conflict. DraftKings’ Electric Poker expansion will not reach Nevada because prediction markets remain the priority.
BetMGM let its Nevada waiver expire after years of delays. BetRivers Poker has no incentive to enter a state without online casino revenue.
For players, the result is simple. Nevada stays a single-operator market until new rules or new incentives emerge.
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