Where Is Online Gambling Legal In The Us
Alabama: Not legal, but legislation proposed. A proposed bill was introduced this April that would. Sports books and online casinos servicing Americans hit a big bump in the road in 2006 when the US government passed the UIGEA. While it didn’t make betting illegal for US citizens, it did make it illegal to accept any payments on behalf of an illegal online casino or sportsbook operating in America. On January 22, 2021, Michigan became the latest state in the US to legalize online gambling sites. The public embraced it in record numbers as Michigan was the busiest internet betting state in the Union during the first weekend of action. Here’s a rundown of the Michigan’s new online gambling scene.
- Gambling Laws By State
- Online Gambling Law
- Where Is Online Gambling Legal In The Us Map
- Online Betting Legal
- Is Online Gambling Legal In Illinois
The topic of United States gambling online is a complex one, and sorting through the mixture of information out there is no easy task. Between the misinformation and constant changes in the legal online gambling landscape for US players, finding accurate and up to date information can present its own challenges.
So when its all said and done, players don’t want to have to sort through hundreds of pages of confusing legal jargon found in state or federal statutes to determine if its legal for them to enjoy Internet gambling. To be honest, who would want to do that? And if you did do that, would any of it make sense anyhow?
Well our team felt up to the task, and while we are not lawyers, we have done the research using reliable sources to get the information players are painstakingly looking for. We’ve presented our findings in an easy to follow format so that you don’t need a law degree to interpret the facts. As experienced gamblers ourselves, we felt it was important to offer clear and concise data that allows players to really understand the US online gambling industry and thereby make informed decisions regarding their gameplay.
Nobody really enjoys a gaming session if they are worried the entire time that they may be ‘caught’ doing something illegal. Allow us to clear the air and present the facts so that you know where you stand as a U.S.A. player concerning the legality of online gambling in the United States.
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Is Online Gambling Legal In The US?
Yes. No. Maybe so? Honestly, there is not a simple yes or no answer. Some states have already legalized state-regulated USA online gambling and are in the process of engineering their Internet gambling structure and regulatory processes. Some states have not been brave enough to go there yet.
Now when we say that some states have already legalized it, we are talking about US-based online gambling that is regulated by the state government. This does not affect the legality of non-USA based online gambling brands that are operating legally offshore and that accept American players.
There are several forms of online gambling entertainment available to USA gamblers and with the expansion of the US-based gambling market, US gambling laws affect them each a little differently.
Online Casino Gambling
For residents fortunate enough to live in a state that has embraced locally regulated online casinos, there are two options available to legally play real money casino games online:
- State-regulated online casinos – online casinos licensed and authorized by a specific state
- Offshore online casinos – online casinos operating legally offshore
The re-interpretation of the Federal Wire Act in 2011 authorized individual states to legalize or prohibit online casino gambling at their discretion. Since then, multiple states have embraced this freedom and have launched a state-regulated online casino initiative. In addition, there are no US federal laws that prohibit American players from enjoying real money casino games at online casinos that are legally operating offshore, such as the ones listed in this guide.
With the exception of two states (CT and WA) – there are also no state laws prohibiting USA online casino gambling at offshore destinations. One thing to keep in mind is that in order to enjoy any of the state-based online casinos, you must be physically present within that state’s borders. Geotracking software ensures the enforcement of this regulation. You can visit our USA online casinos section for detailed information.
Online Sports Betting
As you are probably aware, the American sports betting market has dramatically expanded since the repeal of PASPA in May of 2018. This has given US sports fans an increased range of options for betting on sports. Not all of the states that have legalized state-regulated sports betting have also launched online sportsbooks, but some have.
In addition, betting on sports at online sportsbooks that are operating legitimately offshore is not a violation of any federal gambling laws in the US. We have provided access to the top-rated offshore online sportsbooks that are accepting US bettors. They are all either licensed individually or are owned and operated by a parent company that holds licensing credentials in one or more jurisdictions. For more information, visit our USA online sports betting section.
Online Poker
There are a handful of states that have authorized state-regulated online poker gambling, with NJ, Nevada, and Delaware being among the first to do so. The re-interpretation of the Federal Wire Act had the same effect on online poker as it did for online casinos. In addition to a handful of state-based online poker sites, there are several top-rated online poker sites operating offshore that accept US players. As with the state-based online casinos, in order to play at an online poker site licensed through a state government, you do have to be physically present in that state. You can learn more in our section about USA online poker options.
Online Bingo
No, bingo is not the most popular form of online gambling, but it is gaining momentum. First made popular in Europe, USA friendly online bingo games are beginning to establish a notable presence in the global gambling market. Real money bingo games are not prohibited by any US federal gambling laws and are primarily available through legal online bingo sites operating offshore. If you’d like to see what this growing craze is all about, just visit our USA online bingo page.
What Is The 2006 UIGEA Law And How Does It Affect American Gamblers?
The UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) is a piece of federal legislation that became law back in 2006. The law simply places regulatory oversight concerning how gambling-related transactions can be processed. The law addresses payment processors, (such as banks and credit card companies), and gambling business operators. The law does not prohibit US gamblers from participating in online gambling at domestic or offshore gambling sites that accept American residents. Those who try to present this law as a gambling prohibition to USA gamblers are misrepresenting the law and its reach.
The primary effect this law has on American gamblers concerns the range of options available for funding online gambling entertainment. Restrictions imposed by the UIGEA can make it challenging in some cases to use your credit cards and debit cards to gamble online. However, the industry has evolved and there are multiple deposit methods you can use to legally gamble online. We go into this in more detail on our USA online gambling banking page.
When Can We Expect Online Gambling To Be Legal Everywhere In The United States?
While domestic gambling expansion is happening rapidly across the US, we’re still not at the point where it is available everywhere yet. The legislative process is not a quick one in many cases, so it will take time for all states to determine their intentions and to then reflect that in new legislation. And to be honest, we cannot assume that lawmakers in every single state will embrace the option to authorize state-based online gambling.
As of this writing, there is no action concerning any federal legislation that would provide a blanket authorization across the US. Since there are states that are not pro-gambling, stepping on states’ rights would be considered an overreach by many. The good news is that with very few exceptions, offshore online gambling sites are legally available to almost everyone in the US.
Are There Any USA Online Gambling Options Available To Me Now?
There are a number of US-friendly online gambling sites available to American players. These sites are located and regulated offshore, outside of the United States. We have featured multiple options throughout this guide in an effort to direct players to the safest and most trusted brands in the business. We have verified the legitimacy of each of them in regards to licensing and fair gameplay, regulatory oversight, as well as the overall quality of the gambling experience that each brand offers.
You’ll find some key information on each of them, including any current welcome bonuses or promotions being offered. You can find this information on the individual state pages or the primary USA gaming pages located in the menu box on the top right portion of this page. Below you will see our featured online gambling site for American players.
If you’d like to take a look at the actual state statutes regarding gambling, please visit our page on Legal US Gambling, which provides links to the laws for each individual state.
Other Popular Sections On Our Website
Legal Online Gambling – With all the recent changes taking place in the online gambling arena, finding legal online gambling sites can be a bit on the tricky side for USA players. This was the motivation behind creating this entire guide which has been designed to serve as a map in navigating the world of online gambling legally and securely. Here you will find the information you need to find your way through this sometimes confusing platform, as well as access to the most recent laws and statutes governing online gambling in each individual state.
Online Gambling Laws – For those USA gamblers interested in finding out what the gambling laws are in their state, we’ve created this section which lists pertinent gambling law information that is state-specific. While we recommend you contact an expert for a detailed interpretation of any laws or regulations, this section will provide you with the basics to gaining an understanding of the gambling laws in your state.
USA Live Dealer Casinos – We have recently found a USA friendly live dealer casino. Until now, this gaming platform has only been available to non-US players. We are very excited to see the online gambling landscape expanding for players from the United States and we’re pretty sure this is just the beginning.
On January 22, 2021, Michigan became the latest state in the US to legalize online gambling sites. The public embraced it in record numbers as Michigan was the busiest internet betting state in the Union during the first weekend of action.
Here’s a rundown of the Michigan’s new online gambling scene.
News Highlights
- Michigan launched online gambling in January 2021
- State to rake in more than $30 million annually
- Ten sites go online and five more will launch soon
Michigan Online Gambling Goes Live
Before the launch, Michigan had several gaming outlets, including horse racing, land-based casinos, and the state-sponsored lottery. For online gambling, people turned to offshore sites, which are still an option too.
The long-awaited launch came from legislation passed and signed into law in 2019. Former State Representative,Brandt Iden(R), and Governor, Gretchen Whitmer (D), signed it into law.
It took more than a year for Michigan’s Gaming Control Board to set up new rules for the online betting sector. David Tsai, the President of MGM Grand Detroit, noted the meaning of the new gambling landscape.
Not only can we grow the market, but now we can contribute more tax dollars, and we’re proud of our ability to do that.I worked for it.
Gambling Laws By State
David Tsai
Online Casino Games Portfolio
Online Gambling Law
The new setup brings state-based sports betting and casino games to Michiganders wherever they have an internet connection. They can play games such as real money online slots, blackjack, and roulette on their PCs and smartphones.
Ten sites are up and running, and more will go online in the coming weeks. The following are the approved online gambling operators that have launched so far:
- FanDuel
- BetMGM
- PointsBet
- Wynne
These five websites have also been approved and will launch soon:
Four Winds Casino
Parx Casino
US States With Legal Online Casino Gambling
Michigan joins the list of US states that have legalized gambling. Let’s take a look at what wagering activities are allowed in each state.
Colorado
The state-approved online sports betting in 2020, but internet casino gamblers must still use offshore sites.
Delaware
State-based online casinos and sportsbooks have been running since 2012.
Illinois
Online sports betting went live from Illinois sites in 2020, and there are proposals for online casinos.
Indiana
The state has hosted internet sports wagering since 2019. Lawmakers introduced a bill to allow online casinos in there, too.
Iowa
Website sports wagering has been allowed since 2019, but it requires players to download a specific app to participate. Plans for online casinos are in the works.
Montana
Sports betting went online in Montana in 2020 through a state lottery app. There are no plans to host online casinos.
Nevada
Internet poker and sports betting sites are legal in Nevada, but casinos are still exclusively land-based.
New Hampshire
This state has allowed sports gambling since 2019 and hosts more than ten sites. But residents have to go to offshore sites for casino games.
New Jersey
New Jersey has had all sorts of online gambling since 2013, and it is now one of the largest internet wagering markets in the US.
Oregon
In 2019, Oregon introduced internet sports betting sites, but there is nothing in the pipeline regarding online casinos.
Pennsylvania
In-state sports betting and casino sites were allowed in 2017. The state’s casino sites finally launched in 2019.
Rhode Island
Sportsbooks in Rhode Island began taking internet action in 2019, but there are no plans to host casinos online.
Virginia
The state launched its sportsbooks the same week as Michigan. But they don’t have land-based or online casinos yet.
West Virginia
Internet sports betting and casinos have been in the state since 2020.
Where Is Online Gambling Legal In The Us Map
What The Future Holds for Legal US Online Casinos
Online Betting Legal
Fifteen US states now host wagering websites, and five of them are home to internet casinos. As states begin to see the revenue potential for real money online casinos, the trend should continue.
Is Online Gambling Legal In Illinois
The US online gambling industry is just beginning. But for now, the vast majority of US players need to turn to offshore websites for their favorite casino games.