Clark County is Nevada's strictest local alcohol market. A cashier who doesn't get certified in time, a bar owner who misses a fee deadline, a server who doesn't check ID, penalties come faster here than anywhere else in the state. The county covers Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Boulder City, and the surrounding unincorporated areas, and its population triggers regulations that don't apply in Washoe County or rural Nevada.
ACT Card Requirement in Clark County
Under NRS 369.630, counties with a population over 100,000 must require alcohol awareness training for hospitality workers. Clark County passes that bar easily. And because its population exceeds 400,000, there's an additional rule: alcohol sellers must also carry an ACT card.
That means cashiers at grocery stores, gas station clerks, and anyone else who rings up a packaged alcohol sale in Clark County needs the card. In Washoe County, only servers and security need it. Clark County adds sellers to the list.
Who needs the card
- Bartenders and cocktail servers
- Food servers at alcohol-serving restaurants
- Cashiers and retail clerks who sell alcohol
- Security guards at alcohol-serving venues
- Managers at any of the above
- Volunteers serving alcohol at events
The 30-day deadline
You have 30 days from your hire date to complete training and receive your card. No extensions. Many employers, especially casinos and large resort properties, require it before your first shift. Don't wait until day 28.
ACT vs. TAM, clearing up the confusion
Las Vegas job postings usually say "TAM card required." TAM (Techniques of Alcohol Management) is the most common provider in Las Vegas, but it's one of several CPE-approved options. Cards from AATNV, Alcohol Awareness Card LV, TIPS, 360training, and other approved providers are legally identical. If you have an ACT card from any approved provider, you meet the requirement, regardless of what the job posting says. For provider options and pricing, see our ACT card provider comparison.
Liquor Licensing in Clark County
To sell alcohol in unincorporated Clark County, apply through the Clark County Department of Business License. Incorporated cities, Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Boulder City, run their own licensing. Every jurisdiction requires background checks, zoning clearance, and health inspections before you can serve.
Application process
Clark County liquor license applications are submitted by mail only, no online portal. The non-refundable application fee is $45. Four agencies review your application:
- Comprehensive Planning, zoning and land use review
- Southern Nevada Health District, health and sanitation compliance
- Fire Prevention Bureau, fire code and occupancy review
- LVMPD, law enforcement background investigation
For privileged licenses (full liquor, not just beer and wine), every owner and key employee undergoes an individual background investigation through LVMPD. The Director of Business License gives final approval. Expect several weeks, longer if background checks flag issues.
Fees
Licensing fees are paid semi-annually. A beer and wine on-premises license costs $700 semi-annually plus $400 per bar station. Full liquor licenses cost more. These are county fees only, state excise taxes and any city fees apply separately.
Temporary licenses
Because the investigation takes time, Clark County offers temporary liquor licenses so new businesses can operate during review. You don't have to sit dark for months waiting on paperwork.
For a detailed walkthrough of the full licensing process, fees, and license types, see our Nevada liquor license guide.
Minimum Age to Serve and Sell Alcohol
Clark County sets the minimum age for alcohol service and sales at 21. Bartenders, servers, cashiers, anyone whose job involves handling alcohol for sale to customers.
Washoe County allows workers as young as 16 to serve alcohol with supervision. The minimum age to obtain an ACT card is 16 statewide, but having the card doesn't override Clark County's 21-and-over employment rule.
Open Container Laws
This is the rule tourists know best and get wrong most often.
Where open containers are allowed
You can carry and drink an open alcoholic beverage on the public right-of-way along Las Vegas Boulevard, the Strip. This covers sidewalks and pedestrian areas between roughly Russell Road and Sahara Avenue.
Where they're not
- Inside most casino non-gaming areas (the casino controls its own property)
- Off the Strip proper, side streets, parking lots, residential areas
- Downtown Fremont Street has its own open container zone, but the boundaries are specific
- Parks, schools, and government property
Glass container ban
Even where open containers are legal, glass containers are prohibited under Clark County Code 12.35.010. Plastic or paper cups only. That's why every Strip liquor store hands you a plastic cup with your purchase, and why bars on the Boulevard serve to-go drinks in plastic. Walk the Strip with a glass bottle and you can be cited.
24-Hour Alcohol Sales
Nevada has no mandated closing time for alcohol sales, statewide, under NRS 369. Bars, restaurants, casinos, convenience stores, and liquor stores in Las Vegas can all sell around the clock, every day of the year. No last call. No Sunday restriction. On-premises and off-premises alike.
Enforcement and Penalties
LVMPD conducts regular compliance checks on bars, restaurants, and retail outlets.
Key violations and consequences
- Selling to a minor (NRS 202.055): Misdemeanor charge for the individual, plus fines and potential license suspension or revocation for the business
- Serving a visibly intoxicated person (NRS 202.100): Also a violation, with fines and license consequences
- Operating without a valid ACT card: Penalties for both the employee and employer
- Late license fee payment: A 5% penalty after July 15, and automatic cancellation, not suspension, if payment isn't received by July 31
Compliance checks often use underage decoys attempting to buy alcohol. If your staff sells to a decoy, the employee faces criminal charges and the business faces license action.
Casino-Specific Rules
Casinos answer to two regulators at once: Clark County for alcohol and the Nevada Gaming Control Board under Regulation 5. On the gaming floor, complimentary drinks are standard, but servers still need a valid ACT card and cannot serve visibly intoxicated patrons. A violation can trigger action from both the county (license suspension) and the Gaming Control Board (disciplinary proceedings against the gaming license). Casino beverage departments tend to run tighter compliance than standalone bars for exactly this reason.
For the full breakdown of how gaming law intersects with alcohol service, see our casino alcohol rules guide.
The Bottom Line
Forty-plus million visitors a year pass through Clark County, and enforcement scales to match. Workers need a valid ACT card and must be 21 or older. Owners need current licensing, on-time fee payments, and staff who know the rules. An expired card, a missed ID check, a late renewal, those get caught here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you drink on the Las Vegas Strip?
Yes. You can carry and consume open alcoholic beverages on the public sidewalks along Las Vegas Boulevard. Glass containers are prohibited, use plastic or paper cups.
Do I need a TAM card or an ACT card in Las Vegas?
Both work. TAM is a brand name; ACT is the generic term. Any card from a CPE-approved provider satisfies Clark County's requirement under NRS 369.630.
How old do you have to be to bartend in Las Vegas?
21. Clark County requires all alcohol service and sales staff to be at least 21 years old.
Can you buy alcohol 24 hours a day in Las Vegas?
Yes. Nevada has no closing time for alcohol sales. Bars, stores, and casinos sell alcohol around the clock.
How much does a Clark County liquor license cost?
It varies by license type. A beer and wine on-premises license runs $700 semi-annually plus $400 per bar station, plus a $45 application fee. Full liquor licenses cost more.
What happens if I get caught serving a minor in Las Vegas?
The individual faces misdemeanor charges under NRS 202.055. The business faces fines and potential license suspension or revocation. LVMPD runs regular compliance checks with underage decoys.