Leaving Las Vegas: Trump and Harris Give Final Pitches in Nevada Battleground

You can't legally bet on the presidential election at our best sports betting sites, but there are ways to get money down on the event depending on where you live. Even if you're not betting on the outcome of Election Day, eyes all across North America will be watching the United States as they vote.

Former President and GOP nominee Donal Trump and Democratic Party nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris visited the gambling capital of the US, Las Vegas, Nev., on Thursday to make final in-person pitches in the critical battleground state. Trump addressed supporters at Lee’s family Forum in Henderson, while Harris visited Reno before heading to Craig Ranch Regional Park Amphitheater in Las Vegas.

Before either candidate had spoken at their events, more than 43% of eligible voters had already cast votes, accounting for over 856,000 people. According to the Nevada Secretary of State’s Office, Republican voters accounted for over 335,000 ballots or 39.2% of the turnout. Meanwhile, Democrat voters submitted over 291,000 ballots, or 34% of the turnout. The rest of the ballots consisted of third-party and non-partisan voters.

J-Lo Introduces Harris in Las Vegas

Harris brought star power to her appearances in Las Vegas, with singer Jennifer Lopez introducing the Democratic Party candidate. Lopez commented on a recent joke made before a Trump rally at Madison Square in New York, where a comedian referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage.”

Lopez said, “At Madison Square Garden, he reminded us who he really is and how he really feels. It wasn't just Puerto Ricans that were offended that day, okay - it was every Latino in this country."

Once Harris emerged on stage, she was keen to point out the differences between herself and her presidential rival, commenting, “If he were re-elected, Donald Trump would walk into that office with an enemies list. When I am elected, I will walk in with a to-do list … And at the top of my list is bringing down the cost of your living. That will be my focus every single day as president.”

Just last week, ChatGPT predicted a Harris victory.

6,000 Watch Trump in Henderson

Speaking at Lee’s Family Forum in Henderson, Trump claimed he would invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, allowing the president to detain or deport the citizens of an enemy nation to deal with immigration issues. He said, “We’ll put these blood thirsty criminals in jail, and we’ll kick them out of our country.”

The GOP nominee also mentioned his plans to ban taxes on tips, overtime pay, and Social Security. He also promised to expand the country’s oil drilling industry and military. Trump’s rally was his eighth visit to Nevada in 2024. Trump owns Trump International Hotel Las Vegas. 

The Presidential Election Bet Tracker shows one person who placed a bet of $30 million at Polymarket for Trump to win.

Nevada Voting History

While Nevada is regarded as a swing state, there hasn’t been much swinging in recent elections. The Democratic Party won the state in the 2020, 2016, 2012, and 2008 elections. The last Republican candidate to claim Nevada was George W. Bush.

However, there have been some very tight contests to win the state, even during the Democrats’ period of winning. In 2016, Hillary Clinton beat Donald Trump to win Nevada by a 47.9% to 45.5% vote. 

Nevada Gambling Industry Restricts Election Predictions

While Nevada sports betting has seen plenty of gambling expansion in 2024, including the introduction of gambling wallets that cross state borders, the Silver State does not allow financial predictions on the election result through platforms like Kalshi and Robinhood.

These platforms are permitted to operate legally in the US, but Nev. has state laws prohibiting the event contract trading these sites offer. So, while Trump and Harris have been canvassing for ballots, no local residents can profit from predicting which candidate will win.

Regardless of which candidate emerges victorious, supporters of both parties are aligned on legal sports betting and casinos.