Legalization of Online Gambling in the US
Depending on the state you are currently situated in, online gambling in the US may or may not be permitted. Additionally, while certain kinds of internet gambling can be permitted, others might still be illegal. While it is true that casino operators are the ones who are often targeted by law enforcement and not online casino players, it is always a good idea to verify and be informed of your state’s online gambling regulations before you participate in any online gaming.
Online casinos, online poker, and online sports betting are the three main categories into which state lawmakers in various US states have divided online gambling. Regarding legality, some states may permit poker and casinos but forbid sports betting, other states may let sports betting but forbid the other two, etc.
The US States Where Online Gambling is Legal
Gambling is legal on a federal level in all of the US states according to gambling legislation. In other words, any state has the power to make it legal. Gambling is a general phrase that includes the capacity to gamble on events like athletic contests, games of chance, and games of skill. As a result, there are several states that permit internet gambling, and they all regulate its many aspects in unique ways.
New Jersey
Is it legal to play NJ slots online? Yes, it is. In fact, New Jersey has the largest online casino market in the US which became legal in 2013. New Jersey’s market is thought to be valued at more than $225 million in 2020. Internet casinos, online poker, and online sports betting are all legal under New Jersey law. As a result, New Jersey is one of just three states in the nation to have legalized all three types of online gambling.
Pennsylvania
Apart from New Jersey and Delaware, Pennsylvania is the only other US state to have authorized all three types of internet gambling (online casinos, online poker, and online sports betting). 2019 was the first year when internet poker, casinos, and sportsbooks were all made legal.
Michigan
Speaking about poker, Michigan became the sixth US state to legalize the online version of the card game. The Lawful Internet Gaming Act, which Gretchen Whitmer, the governor of Michigan, signed in December 2019, allowed the Great Lakes State to participate in the online slots and mobile sports betting markets. Fantasy sports betting is also legal in Michigan. The regulation and granting of licenses are handled by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
Delaware
Except for sports betting, all types of online gambling are legal in the Blue Hen state. In Delaware, there is currently no online sports betting, although you can bet on sports in offline locations. Following the historic Supreme Court ruling in 2018, Delaware was the first state in the US to legalize online sports betting. All gaming operations are governed by the Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement.
West Virginia
The West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act of 2019 established the legal foundation for businesses to offer interactive betting on sports, lottery games, table games, poker, and slot machines. Daily fantasy sports have become de facto legal since the West Virginia attorney general’s position on the subject in 2016 became public. The West Virginia Lottery is the state’s regulatory body related to all gambling operations.
Political Inaction in Regards to Online Gambling
Most jurisdictions appear more interested in adopting laws that allow businesses to accept bets on sporting events than they do in regulating online gaming websites.
Political inaction in certain jurisdictions over the authorization of internet casinos is puzzling given that New Jersey’s online gambling industry generates over $80 million in monthly income. Since the Garden State legalized these sites in 2013, it has experienced a large inflow of tax income, and the numbers are rising year after year.