In the US, online gambling is legal in most states but varies by state. Some have regulated it and others have banned it altogether. It’s important to know how and where you can gamble legally before deciding to join an online casino or sportsbook. This article will discuss the different laws and regulations for each state so you can make an informed decision.
New Jersey was one of the first states to legalize online casinos in 2013 and now has more than two dozen options from top brands like DraftKings Casino. The state’s online gambling website and mobile apps are overseen by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. To learn more, visit our New Jersey online casino page.
Delaware, Nevada and New Jersey launched their online casino sites and poker rooms in 2013. The growth of the industry has been slower than expected. However, the Supreme Court’s PASPA ruling has opened the door for further growth. Many state lawmakers see the potential for online gambling to bring in more revenue to their coffers.
Sports betting is the hottest area of legal online gambling right now. After the Supreme Court struck down a federal ban on sports betting, many states have now launched their own online sportsbooks or are planning to do so soon. Some have also added other forms of legal online gambling to their offerings, including online casinos and poker.
The first major hurdle that states face in their efforts to legalize online gambling is the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006. This law makes it illegal for anyone operating an online gambling website to accept wagers from people located in the United States. It’s a complicated issue and it has taken some time for Congress and the Justice Department to explore ways to modify the law.
A second hurdle is the federal Wire Act. This law restricts the transfer of information related to gambling transactions. Lottery officials in New York and Illinois were concerned that they could run afoul of the law when they started selling their online lottery tickets, so they asked the Justice Department for some guidance. The DOJ reversed its previous position and now believes that the Wire Act only applies to sports betting.
Lastly, many states have passed laws that require regulated gambling operators to use a unique state-issued ID when accepting bets from residents of their respective states. This is intended to prevent people from using stolen identities to place wagers at legal online gambling sites. This has slowed the growth of online gambling in some states, but most states are now working to resolve this issue.
Despite these hurdles, there has never been a better time to gamble online. The US legal landscape is constantly changing as more states open their doors to online gambling. It’s important to stay up-to-date on these changes so you can take advantage of the opportunities available to you. Check back to this page for the latest news, developments and state launches.