Most states have a dram shop law to deter providers of alcoholic beverages (servers, liquor stores, bars, restaurants) who sell or serve alcoholic beverages under authority of a license or permit from selling or serving alcoholic beverages to obviously intoxicated individuals.

These laws generally eliminate any liability of servers, liquor stores, bars, and restaurants when a person to whom they sell or serve alcohol causes personal injury or property damage—whether in an automobile accident, a fight, or other incident—unless the person to whom they sell or serve alcohol is obviously intoxicated.

Laws regarding dram shop liability vary from state to state and are usually located in a state’s statutes.

Nevada does not have a dram shop law that holds alcohol vendors civilly liable for the actions of their intoxicated patrons in most circumstances. Unlike many other states, Nevada generally does not allow for a business or individual that serves or sells alcohol to be sued for damages that result from the actions of an intoxicated person. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For example, Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 202.055 provides for liability when alcohol is sold or given to a minor under the age of 21, and the minor subsequently causes injury or damage. Outside of such specific exceptions, Nevada's stance means that bars, restaurants, and liquor stores are typically not held responsible for the actions of their customers once they leave the establishment.