Nevada Lawmakers Consider Ban on Crypto Kiosks Amid Rising Scam Concerns

Nevada Lawmakers Consider Ban on Crypto Kiosks Amid Rising Scam Concerns

LAS VEGAS, NV (KTNV) — In a move that could reshape the landscape of cryptocurrency transactions in the Silver State, Nevada lawmakers are gearing up to potentially ban crypto kiosks, which have increasingly come under fire for facilitating scams, particularly targeting seniors.

The Legislative Committee on Senior Citizens, Veterans and Adults With Special Needs has submitted a bill draft request aimed at regulating these unassuming machines, often mistaken for standard ATMs. With bipartisan support, the proposed legislation is set to be discussed when the Nevada legislature reconvenes in Carson City this February.

AARP Nevada is a key advocate for the initiative, citing alarming statistics from the FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report. Last year alone, the FBI received 13,460 complaints related to scams involving crypto kiosks, resulting in a staggering $389 million in losses—a 23% increase in complaints and a 58% spike in financial losses compared to the previous year. Notably, seniors aged 60 and older accounted for nearly half of these complaints, with losses totaling $257 million.

“Typically, individuals are convinced to deposit cash into these machines to convert it into cryptocurrency, and once that happens, the money is essentially gone,” explained AARP Nevada state director Tod Story. “We aim to eliminate the mechanism that allows these crimes to occur.”

The organization has identified over 400 crypto kiosks statewide, with more than 300 located in Clark County alone. Story emphasized that AARP’s stance is not against cryptocurrency itself, but rather against the kiosks that serve as conduits for scams. “Exchange rates at these kiosks can reach exorbitant fees of 30% to 50%, which is absurd when cheaper online options are available,” he added.

Henderson veteran Mitchell Gordon, who fell victim to a kiosk scam, expressed his support for the potential ban. “That’s the best news I ever heard. I hope it goes through. Get them all out of every place. They’re nothing but a pain,” he said.

As the conversation around crypto kiosks heats up, Nevada may not be alone in its regulatory efforts. According to AARP, 35 states have already enacted legislation related to these machines since 2023.

For those navigating the world of cryptocurrency, the FBI offers several tips to avoid scams, including not sending money to unknown contacts and being wary of kiosks that advertise anonymity.

As Nevada lawmakers prepare to tackle this pressing issue, the future of crypto kiosks in the state hangs in the balance, with the potential for significant changes on the horizon.