Nevada AG Calls for Tougher Action Against the Offshore Gambling Market

The Nevada Attorney General, Aaron Ford, has joined a letter to the US Department of Justice, in which he urged the administration to do more in helping crack down on the offshore gambling market, which continues to eat into licensed operators’ results.

Offshore Gambling Targets Nevada, Eats into Results

According to Ford, the issue stems from a clear breach of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) and, similarly, from a reluctance on the part of law enforcement to act quickly enough.

The appeal comes amid several studies that have tried to pinpoint the true reach of the illegal gambling market in the United States. The American Gaming Association, a trade group, conservatively suggests that the rate of illegal gambling in the United States has reached 40%.

This rate is still lower than another independent study that claims that as much as 70% of the gambling handle in the United States might have been funneled through the offshore market. The calls from the AG’s office in Nevada come amid declining results for the Silver State insofar as its tourism and casino industries are involved.

Las Vegas experienced a downturn of 11.3% fewer visitors in June 2025, compared to the same period in 2024.

All Economic Numbers Are in a Slump

While most industry bosses have remained buoyant and have said that this is a temporary blip on the radar, businesses are enacting contingencies, which include pausing new hiring, rethinking investment projects, and remaining in limbo until things pick up again.

Local hotels and resorts have suspended resort fees and issued special promotions targeting locals, trying to boost the numbers.

Convention attendees, hotel room bookings, and passengers have all been falling throughout the year; however, with many blaming President Donald Trump’s firebrand style of politics, which has alienated many travelers who cancel trips out of spite or genuine fear that an ICE raid may land them in a prison in El Salvador.