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At its January 29, 2026 hearing, the Nevada Gaming Commission (“NGC” or “Commission”) adopted amendments proposed by the Nevada Gaming Control Board (“NGCB”) to Regulation 5.300 et seq. The amendments primarily clarify the applicability of the “club venue” requirements and impose new notification obligations related to the opening of new club venues, changes in ownership or operation, and the temporary or permanent closure of club venues.

NRS 463.0144 defines a “club venue” as a venue that:

  1. Is located on the premises of a nonrestricted gaming establishment;
  2. Prohibits patrons under 21 years of age from entering the premises;
  3. Is licensed to serve alcohol;
  4. Allows dancing; and
  5. Offers live music, a disc jockey or an emcee.

NGC Regulation 5.300(1) narrows the scope of regulatory oversight of club venues by stating that the requirements set forth in Regulations 5.300 to 5.380, inclusive, only apply to club venues located on the premises of nonrestricted licensees that:

  • Charges a fee or imposes a cover charge to gain admission to the venue;
  • Prohibits patrons under the age of 21 from entering the venue;
  • Serves alcohol from at least one permanent bar;
  • Allows dancing in any area of the venue, including, without limitation, a:
    • Designated dance area;
    • Swimming pool; or 
    • Pool deck; and 
  • Offers:
    • Live music;
    • Recorded music presented by a disk jockey; or
    • An emcee.

By way of an example, if a club venue (as defined in NRS 463.0144) does not prohibit patrons under the age of 21 years of age from entering the venue, the club venue will not automatically be subject to the requirements of Regulations 5.300 to 5.380 (discussed below). That said, Regulation 5.300(2) grants the Chair of the NGCB discretion to apply Regulations 5.300 to 5.380 to other club venues.

New Notification Requirements for Club Venues and Temporary Events

Notification Requirements for Temporary Club Venue-Like Events

Club venues that conduct events 4 days per year or less are also not automatically subject to the requirements of Regulation 5.300 to 5.380. However, the recent amendments now require the applicable nonrestricted licensee to notify the NGCB in writing at least 15 days prior to a club venue holding such an event..

Notification Obligations for Club Venues

A nonrestricted licensee must also notify the NGCB at least sixty (60) days prior to

  • Opening a new club venue,
  • Any change in ownership or operator of a club venue, or 
  • A temporary or permanent closure of a club venue.

The regulation also authorizes the Chair of the NGCB, in the Chair’s sole and absolute discretion, to waive or modify any of the prescribed time periods upon receipt of a written request from the licensee.

Requirements of a Club Venue - Regulations 5.300 to 5.380

Of note, Regulations 5.300 to 5.380 impose the following direct and independent obligations on the club venue operator, including but not limited to, the following:

1. Employee Registration

  • Most club venue employees are deemed gaming employees and must be registered (or temporarily registered, where permitted) with the NGCB. 
  • Covered personnel generally include hosts, VIP services staff, cashiers, bartenders, servers, security, surveillance personnel, managers, and supervisors. 
  • No covered employee may perform services before completing the required registration.
  • Registration requires basic personal information, fingerprinting, and a background check.

2. Independent Host / Third Party Agreements

  • The club venue operator must maintain written agreements with any independent hosts or third parties providing hosting or VIP services.

3. Medical Staffing

  • Club venues must meet minimum on‑site medical staffing requirements based on patron capacity

4. Security Assessments and Training

  • The operator must conduct risk assessments to determine appropriate security staffing.
  • Annual safety and security awareness training must be provided to all club venue employees.
  • Training must be documented and made available to the NGCB upon request.

5. Access to Premises and Records

  • NGCB agents must be granted immediate and unrestricted access to all public and non public areas of the venue.

6. Mandatory Reporting

  • The club venue operator must immediately report to the NGCB any theft, suspected theft, illegal drug activity, or violations of Nevada gaming laws occurring on the premises. 
  • Failure to timely report may result in disciplinary action against both the venue operator and the gaming licensee.

If you have any questions about the issues raised in this alert, please contact the authors or the Womble Bond Dickinson attorneys with whom you normally work.

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