LEGAL US ONLINE GAMBLING GUIDE, internet casino legal.

Internet casino legal

New casino sites to play real money

If that happens, taverns, bars, and even convenience stores throughout oregon could become sports betting states. In the meantime, oregonians will have to console themselves with the few sports betting opportunities they have. In 2002, the united states court of appeals for the fifth circuit ruled the federal wire act prohibits sports betting, but not necessarily online gambling. However, the US department of justice disagreed, claiming all online gambling is illegal in the US, and that advertising online gambling is akin to aiding and abetting a crime. In 2004, search engines google and yahoo! Pulled all online gambling advertising.

LEGAL US ONLINE GAMBLING GUIDE

Online gambling is legalized on a state-by-state basis throughout the US. This guide will walk you through what each legal gambling state has to offer, which states have the potential to launch legal gambling and finally, state that don’t have any plans to regulate.

States that offer legal online gambling

state	online casino	online poker	online sports betting
new jersey	yes	yes	yes
pennsylvania	yes	yes	yes
indiana	no	no	yes
west virginia	no	no	yes
iowa	no	no	yes
new hampshire	no	no	yes
nevada	no	yes	yes
delaware	yes	yes	no
oregon	no	no	yes
rhode island	no	no	yes

New jersey online gambling

What forms of legal online gambling

• Online sports betting


• Online casino


• Online poker

New jersey is currently the largest market for regulated online gambling in the US. Over a dozen legal and licensed online casino sites and poker rooms compete for an overall market that is worth more than $225 million a year.

New jersey currently stands tall as the leader in the online gambling USA space.

New jersey passed its online gambling law in 2013. The new statute allowed atlantic city casinos to apply for internet gaming permits.

Those permits authorized the casinos to host a variety of online casino sites under their licenses. As a result, there are now more online casinos in new jersey than in any other state in the union.

Almost every major casino operator owns a new jersey-based online casino site.

SITES

Each online casino site must run through a land-based casino licensee. Here is a partial list of new jersey online casinos:

• Golden nugget online: you are unlikely to find a finer online casino in the entire world. Golden nugget’s success with traditional gambling and live dealer games make it a must-see for any players who want action.


• Virgin casino: virgin casino online is the online casino wing of sir richard branson’s multimedia conglomerate. Visitors to the site will find a wide selection of games and constant promotional offers to sweeten the pot.


• Tropicana online: few names inspire classic gambling like tropicana. The trop online is the perfect place for players who want things a little more old-school, a little more cultured than a typical online experience.

The law that gave the casinos the ability to host online casinos also authorized the introduction of online poker sites. Poker-hungry residents and visitors in new jersey now have a plethora of options to quench their desire for texas hold’em, omaha, or whatever other game strikes their fancies.

Online poker sites operating in the market include:

New jersey is the most prominent state to offer sports betting right now. The garden state spearheaded the downfall of PASPA and contributed the most time and effort to argue in front of the supreme court.

Currently, there are more than a dozen online sports betting apps (a number that is still growing) and a variety of land-based sportsbooks up and running in the state. Here is a partial list of online sportsbooks in new jersey:

• Draftkings sportsbook: draftkings was the first online sportsbook to launch in new jersey when it opened its virtual doors in august 2018. Since then, the company has grown into a powerhouse in the sports betting community.


• William hill sportsbook: william hill is one of the largest sportsbook providers in the world. Its numerous retail and online locations around the globe have made it a fixture in most places with legal online sports betting.


• Fanduel sportsbook: fanduel often seems to move in tandem with its archrival, draftkings. However, fanduel has used innovation and customer service excellence to distinguish itself as a superb sportsbook operator in its own right.

Retail sportsbooks in new jersey

New jersey is also home to a wide selection of retail sportsbooks. The following are some of the options in the garden state:

• Draftkings sportsbook at resorts


• Fanduel sportsbook at the meadowlands


• Moneyline bar & book at borgata


• Monmouth park sportsbook by william hill


• The book at bally’s

The inaugural year for sports betting in new jersey, 2018, yielded bettors who placed over $1.2 billion in wagers. From that figure, the industry itself held just over $94 million in revenue for the year. That number has grown considerably in 2020, as billions will be wagered in the state.

Online sports betting has eclipsed retail wagering in new jersey by an almost 3:1 ratio. The limited accessibility of the state’s gaming areas makes betting through a device a much more palatable option for most residents and visitors.

Pennsylvania online gambling

What forms of legal online gambling

• Online sports betting launched may 2019


• Online casinos launched july 2019


• Online poker launched november 2019

Many of PA’s major casinos have rolled out online casino sites. Online sports betting is live and active with draftkings, fanduel and unibet to name a few. Players have the option of placing bets in person or online via the website and mobile app. Here’s a rundown of legal gambling options in PA.

Since pennsylvania’s gambling expansion became law in 2017, there has been incredible anticipation surrounding the launch of online casinos in the state. Both pennsylvanians and those in surrounding locations couldn’t wait to try out the keystone state’s take on mobile casino play.

They finally got their wish in july 2019. Hollywood casino online and parx online both debuted on the same day and ushered pennsylvania into the realm of online casinos.

Since then, several other casinos have joined the party. Here is a partial list of pennsylvania’s online casinos:

• Betrivers: betrivers serves as the online arm of the popular rivers casino philadelphia. Betrivers is also the online casino for pittsburgh’s rivers casino.


• Hollywood casino online: hollywood casino online is one of the original online casinos to launch in pennsylvania. The experience edge shows, and players will find a broad base of slot and table games awaiting them.


• Unibet: unibet is a recent addition to pennsylvania’s online casino landscape. However, the european gambling giant is no rookie. It brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to aid its pursuit of success on this side of the pond.

Pennsylvania became an online poker state in november 2019, four months after the launch of online casinos in the state. Pokerstars, the market leader for online poker in the world, opened its virtual doors to poker-hungry players in the keystone state.

The result was an onslaught of activity. More players joined on pokerstars PA on its first night than at any point in the history of pokerstars NJ, even though the garden state site had been active since 2013.

Pokerstars remains in a de facto monopoly status in pennsylvania. However, there are several pennsylvania casinos that have secured online poker licenses and could join the fray at any time. They are:

• Harrah’s


• Hollywood casino


• Mount airy


• Parx


• Rivers casino philadelphia


• Valley forge


• Wind creek

With so much opportunity in pennsylvania, it’s likely that at least one launch will be coming soon. Stay tuned.

Pennsylvania’s entry into the sports betting market was one of the most anticipated debuts since the fall of PASPA. The keystone state is one of the most populous states in the country, and its appeal to sportsbook operators stems from that very fact.

The first online sportsbook to launch in pennsylvania was playsugarhouse. The online arm of the philadelphia-area casino opened its virtual doors in may 2019.

Two other online sportsbooks, parx and betrivers, joined playsugarhouse the following month. There are now eight online sportsbooks active in pennsylvania, which include the following sites:

• Draftkings sportsbook: for a time, it seemed as though draftkings might be on the outside looking into pennsylvania. However, a deal with the meadows casino allowed the company in black and green to launch its operations in november 2019.


• Fanduel sportsbook: fanduel has implemented several customer-friendly initiatives since its launch in july 2019. Now, players can find seamless integration and a host of promotions anytime they log on.


• Unibet: unibet, and its partner, mohegan sun pocono, may have been a little late to the party with their november 2019 launch. However, the european giant is using its experience to make up for lost time quickly in pennsylvania.

Retail sportsbooks in pennsylvania

Some people will always prefer a more visceral and tangible experience than online sports betting can offer. Thankfully, there are several retail sportsbooks accepting wagers in pennsylvania each day. They include:

• Draftkings sportsbook at the meadows


• FOX bet at mount airy casino


• Fanduel sportsbook PA at valley forge casino


• Unibet at mohegan sun pocono


• Betrivers sportsbook at rivers casino philadelphia

So far, sports betting in pennsylvania has been big business. Monthly handle has already soared into the hundreds of millions.

*off-track betting locations that now offer wagering on sports. Both locations are owned and operated by greenwood gaming, owner of parx casino.

West virginia online gambling

What forms of legal online gambling

• Online sports betting launched december 2018


• Online casinos legalized in march 2018 (target 2020)


• Online poker legalized in march 2018 (target 2020)

West virginia already has online sports betting apps. The enactment of the west virginia lottery interactive wagering act has opened the possibility of online casinos and poker rooms in 2020.

West virginia may seem an unlikely candidate to be at the forefront of gambling expansion. However, if new jersey led the charge against PASPA, west virginia was undoubtedly second in command.

West virginia also bears the unfortunate distinction of being the only state to launch online sports betting twice. Although west virginians celebrated the december 2018 debut of betlucky, the embattled app only lasted until the following march.

That month, a disagreement with technical partners blossomed into the permanent cessation of betlucky as a viable option. Retail sportsbooks at wheeling island and mardi gras casino also ceased operations, and have yet to resume.

However, west virginia got a second chance a few months later. Here are the active online sportsbooks in the state:

• Fanduel sportsbook: thanks to some careful planning, west virginia managed to restart online sports betting with the launch of draftkings in august 2019. Players in the mountain state can now enjoy the innovative technology offering that draftkings brings to the table.


• Draftkings sportsbook: fanduel continues to mirror draftkings’ expansion into sports betting by being the second online book to open for business in west virginia. The company has actually been in west virginia longer, due to its operation of the retail sportsbook at the casino club at the greenbrier.

RETAIL SPORTSBOOKS IN WEST VIRGINIA

Otherwise, mountain state bettors can head to one of the in-state casinos to place a sports bet. They are:

• Sportsbook at hollywood casino charles town


• Fanduel sportsbook at the casino club at greenbrier resort*


• William hill sportsbook at mountaineer casino racetrack & resort

*the casino club at greenbrier resort is a private facility and not open to the public. Only members and guests at the hotel may play there.

West virginia became the fifth state to legalize online casinos in 2019. The west virginia lottery interactive wagering act authorized the state’s five casinos to pursue the development of casino and poker apps.

So, potentially, there could be five online casinos and/or poker rooms in west virginia soon. The casinos are:

• The casino club at greenbrier resort


• Hollywood casino charles town


• Mardi gras casino


• The mountaineer hotel, casino, and resort


• Wheeling island hotel-casino-racetrack

There is no specific timeframe for any of these properties to launch their sites. Regulations for online gambling are not expected before 2020, so a launch could not happen before then.

West virginia legalized online poker in march 2019. As is the case with online casinos, all five casinos in the state will be able to launch online poker apps in the near future.

So, the following properties will potentially have their own sites soon:

• The casino club at greenbrier resort


• Hollywood casino charles town


• Mardi gras casino


• The mountaineer hotel, casino, and resort


• Wheeling island hotel-casino-racetrack

Indiana online gambling

Forms of legal online gambling

• Online sports betting launched october 2019


• No plans for online casinos


• No plans for online poker

Indiana joined the group of states with legal sports betting, both retail and mobile, in 2019. The hoosier state now offers three online sportsbooks – draftkings, fanduel, and betrivers. Five more have indicated they will launch soon.

Indiana became a full-service sports betting state in the latter part of 2019. Retail sportsbooks opened in september, and online books launched in the following month.

As a result, indiana has become quite the destination for sports bettors in the region. Bettors from chicago, cincinnati, and louisville can place sports bets on their phones after a short trip in the car.

Indiana’s ascension into the online space is a bit surprising, given the fact that the hoosier state is one of the few to criminalize online gambling itself.

Nevertheless, there are several online sportsbooks taking bets in indiana right now. Many more are expected to launch in the near-future. Online sportsbooks in indiana include the following:

• Draftkings sportsbook: draftkings continues to expand its reach across the northeastern section of the united states. Along with betrivers, it was one of the first online sportsbooks to launch in indiana, doing so in early october 2019.


• Fanduel sportsbook: fanduel is the third sportsbook to launch online in indiana. However, the delay is unlikely to hurt the DFS titan, which distinguishes itself with innovative app features and generous bonuses.


• Betrivers sportsbook: betrivers opened its doors for business in indiana in october 2019. The site has several attractive features for customers, including an extensive loyalty program.

Retail sportsbooks in indiana

At this point, the vast majority of indiana’s land-based casinos are hosting a sports betting operation. The only major exception is the majestic star, which is likely foregoing massive expenditures in preparation for a move inland.

The rest of the properties are open and will take a bet. They include:

• Sportsbook at ameristar east chicago


• Fanduel sportsbook at blue chip casino hotel spa


• The book at horseshoe hammond


• Sportsbook at french lick casino


• William hill sportsbook at tropicana evansville

In just a few short months, indiana has seen its handle skyrocket over $100 million. As was the case in new jersey, much of the activity has occurred online, underlining mobile sports betting’s importance to the new market.

Although illinois, ohio, and kentucky will have sports betting relatively soon, indiana should continue to enjoy excellent returns in its sports wagering departments.

Due to indiana’s legal structure, online casinos are not permitted in the state. Furthermore, playing on an online casino is a criminal act. So, unless new legislation comes to indiana, there can be no legal online casinos for residents and visitors there.

However, indiana is home to thirteen casinos that offer slots, table games, and all the great casino action players love. Visit one of these facilities for the best gambling options in indiana.

Indiana law does not permit any kind of online poker play whatsoever. In fact, indiana is one of the few states to criminalize online poker play. It will take a change in the law before online poker rooms can come to the state.

There are, in fact, ten live poker rooms spread throughout indiana’s casinos. There are opportunities to play no matter what part of the state you’re in, so don’t miss out.

Iowa online gambling

Forms of legal online gambling

• Online sports betting launched in august 2019


• No plans for online casinos


• No plans for online poker

Iowa has quickly joined the party when it comes to online sports betting. In less than six months’ time, the hawkeye state has moved from zero sportsbooks to five. Iowa is a bit different in that you need to download and register first, then complete your registration in person at the partnered casino. Even with registration required to be in-person, the sky’s the limit.

Iowa became a sports betting state in 2019. Both retail and online sportsbooks began flooding into the hawkeye state in august 2019, and the number of operators continues to rise.

Truthfully, iowa’s arrival to sports betting happened in a radically-short period of time, in comparison to the other states. While many locations need six months or longer to launch, the first sportsbook in iowa opened its doors three months after the passage of iowa house bill 617.

Another curious aspect of iowa’s entry is the fact that it is one of the few states that is not permitting its inhabitants to register for a sportsbook account electronically. Instead, players must visit the land-based partner of their sportsbook of choice to establish their mobile identity there.

Thankfully, this requirement will expire after 2020. However, the extra step hasn’t slowed down online sportsbook operators from getting underway. Here are a few of the online sportsbooks active in the state:

• Draftkings: draftkings sportsbook went live in iowa in february 2020. The DFS giant has become a sports betting powerhouse in the past few years, and has introduced the US to several app features that have revolutionized sports betting. Those features include the cash out option and the betting carousel.


• Pointsbet: pointsbet launched its operations in iowa in november 2019. The australian sportsbook distinguishes itself with its signature product, points betting, which allows players to enhance both their wins and losses based upon the accuracy of a point spread prediction.


• William hill: william hill sportsbook was the first to launch online operations in iowa. The venerable sports betting operator has working relationships with four different casino properties in the hawkeye state.

Retail sportsbooks in iowa

Here is a partial list of iowa locations with sportsbooks:

• Pointsbet sportsbook at catfish bend casino


• Fanduel sportsbook at diamond jo worth casino


• The book at horseshoe council bluffs


• Q sportsbook at Q casino hotel


• Elite sportsbook at rhythm city casino resort

Iowa is already seeing millions of dollars in wagers flowing through its sportsbooks. Handle in the state has nearly reached $60 million monthly, and should continue to grow.

Despite the in-person registration requirement, online sports betting is shining as the star in the iowa sports betting constellation. The traffic is growing by double-digit percentages each month.

Iowa is not home to any legal online casinos at this time. A change in the law will be necessary to bring online casinos to the state.

For now, the best online options for iowans who want online casino action are the sweepstakes sites. These opportunities can reasonably simulate the experience for most people.

Iowa poker players are out of luck for any legal online poker rooms. The state does not have a law on the books or on the way to bring online poker to the hawkeye state.

The best solution is to visit a sweepstakes site. There is still some good gameplay to be found for the determined poker player.

New hampshire online gambling

Forms of legal online gambling

• Online sports betting launched in december 2019


• No plans for online casinos


• No plans for online poker

Residents of new hampshire received a late christmas present in 2019. Draftkings sportsbook began the era of online sports betting in the granite state on december 30. Draftkings will be the only online sportsbook. Retail sportsbooks are sure to follow in the coming months.

New hampshire is a recent addition to the community of sports betting states. Its first sportsbook launched in january 2020.

Unusually, new hampshire welcomed an online sportsbook prior to the debut of any retail locations. Retail sportsbooks will begin popping up in the granite state sometime in mid-2020.

The debut of draftkings in new hampshire came as a response to a gauntlet thrown down by new hampshire gov. Chris sununu. Sununu pushed regulators and operators to get going so that he could place a wager on the new england patriots.

Unfortunately for sununu, the patriots’ season ended sooner than he would’ve liked. However, kudos to the industry for giving him the opportunity to bet on schedule, anyway.

Here are the online sportsbooks in new hampshire:

• Draftkings sportsbook: draftkings is the only online sportsbook in operation in new hampshire right now. Its de facto monopoly won’t last forever, but the company in black and green will likely use the opportunity to build brand loyalty and market share.

Retail sportsbooks in new hampshire

There are no retail sportsbooks available in new hampshire just yet. The first ones should begin opening sometime in mid-2020. New hampshire law allows the placement of up to 10.

However, the results from a vote in november 2019 made clear where the new sportsbooks will be popping up. According to new hampshire law, sports betting can only be hosted in towns that have approved their introduction.

The towns that have approved sports betting in new hampshire are:

• Berlin


• Claremont


• Laconia


• Manchester


• Somersworth

New hampshire’s geographic location may limit the granite state’s ability to generate gobs of new revenue. However, new hampshire’s commitment to maximizing its citizens’ personal freedoms means that sports betting, in whatever form it comes, makes sense.

New hampshire does not have any plans to bring online poker to the state soon. For now, players should visit one of the sweepstakes site options that are available to them.

However, in an unusual quirk, charity establishments can offer gambling action through various table games at selected taverns and restaurants in the state. There are roughly a dozen locations where players can find roulette, blackjack, and other table game variants.

New hampshire is relatively hostile to the notion of online poker at this time. New hampshire players who wish to experience online poker action should seek out sweepstakes sites that are active in the state.

In the meantime, they can also visit one of the cardrooms located in the state. These options, which usually happen in sports bars, can provide an outlet for those needing a poker fix.

Nevada online gambling

Forms of legal online gambling

• Online sports betting launched in august 2010


• Online poker launched in april 2013


• No plans for online casinos

Nevada enjoyed a virtual monopoly on sports betting for nearly two decades. So, it’s no surprise that the silver state was the first to launch an online sportsbook, doing so in 2010.

Aside from a few limited exceptions in places like montana and oregon, nevada was the only state that could offer legal sports betting for nearly two decades. The prohibition granted by PASPA was a boon for the silver state’s sports betting interests.

Although other states are now able to offer competition for nevada’s sportsbooks, the western state remains the home of sports betting for most americans. Most lines, estimates, and spreads flow from those published in las vegas sportsbooks.

With that said, nevada’s entry into the online sports betting market is surprisingly antiquated. State law requires that players establish and initially fund their account in-person at the home casino of their chosen sportsbook app.

This requirement is an inconvenience in comparison to the procedures in other states. Most of the new sports betting states are allowing their inhabitants to register and fund from the comfort of their homes. Even those that do require in-person registration – like iowa – have set a sunset date on that requirement into their law.

Regardless, nevada is home to a plethora of sports betting apps. Here is a sample of some of the apps available in the silver state:

• B-connected: the B-connected app serves customers that play through boyd gaming properties. It launched in september 2014 and is the sportsbook app for nine las vegas-area properties.


• Westgate superbook: the westgate superbook app deserves mention not for its features, but for its home casino. The westgate las vegas is the most famous sportsbook in the world and is often the gold standard for setting lines around the world. The app opened its virtual doors in june 2016 and offers the exact same odds that can be found in its physical location.


• William hill: the william hill app serves a variety of casinos throughout nevada. However, the in-person requirement may be the least aggravating for william hill customers due to william hill’s extensive network of standalone shops in the state. There are more than 100 locations where players can sign up for the app, which william hill acquired back in 2011.

Retail sportsbooks in nevada

Nearly every nevada casino has a sportsbook of some kind. Here are some of the better known companies or facilities that offer wagering on sporting events:

• Caesars entertainment – 8 casinos


• MGM resorts international – 10 casinos


• Station casinos – 9 casinos


• South point


• Westgate superbook

One might think that the land-based casino capital of the US would be the online casino leader. However, there are no online casino sites active in nevada at this time.

So, players in nevada who wish to play in an online casino are best served by finding one of the various sweepstakes sites. Other than that, simply walk outside and throw a stone – it’s likely that you’ll hit a casino.

Online poker is the only licensed and regulated form of online gambling in the state of nevada. Online poker action has been available in the state since april 2013.

Although ultimate bet led the initial charge back then, the launch of WSOP.Com nevada quickly brought about a new market leader.

Naturally, WSOP.Com heavily cross-promotes its online offering through the world series of poker. These efforts include online satellites to WSOP bracelet events and online WSOP bracelet events themselves.

In march 2015, nevada and delaware entered into a poker liquidity sharing agreement. This agreement, which combined the two player pools, runs through WSOP.Com in nevada. New jersey’s player pool joined the agreement in april 2018.

As of right now, here are the online poker sites in nevada:

However, there are rumors that more sites could be on the way. Remember to check back with playusa periodically to see what’s going on.

Delaware online gambling

Forms of legal online gambling

• Online sports betting launched in june 2018


• Online casinos launched in november 2013


• Online poker launched in november 2013

Delaware may seem a strange location to find a stalwart of online gambling. However, that’s exactly what the first state is. Delaware was the first state to launch online sports betting post-PASPA and was one of the first to launch online gambling and poker.

Delaware, fittingly, was the first state to debut sports betting in the wake of PASPA’s dismissal. The first state launched retail sports betting in june 2018, a couple of weeks before new jersey’s triumphant opening at monmouth park.

Delaware is a small state, and is home to only three casinos. However, all three venues have a sportsbook onsite. Unusually, the three casinos operate through a joint license with the state lottery.

Online sports betting is legal, at least according to regulators in the state. None of the three facilities has seen fit to debut an app yet, though.

So, for now, sports betting is confined to three places in the first state. Given that its area is only 1982 square miles, it’s probably not too much of a problem to find a casino nearby.

Retail sportsbooks in delaware

• Delaware park casino


• Dover downs hotel & casino


• Harrington raceway & casino

View more information about delaware here.

Delaware became the first state to legalize online gambling in 2012. The market opened up in november 2013 with sites operated through the state’s three racinos. So, gamblers can find online casinos at the sites for:

These sites offer a variety of blackjack, roulette, slots and video poker games. Of the three, delaware park is the busiest site.

Delaware’s three horse-track based online gambling sites offer peer-to-peer online poker with software provided by 888 holdings. So, there are online poker sites for the following casinos:

Through a joint agreement with WSOP.Com, delaware and nevada began sharing online poker traffic in march 2015. However, like the state itself, the delaware online poker market remains small.

Needless to say, an infusion of players from one of the larger states could serve as a much-needed shot in the arm for the market.

Rhode island gambling

Forms of legal online gambling

• Online sports betting legalized in march 2019, expected launch in 2020


• No plans for online casinos


• No plans for online poker

The state should see the launch an online sportsbook sometime this year. The book will no doubt be under the twin rivers brand, which operates both casinos in the state.

We first learned that rhode island would be introducing sports betting in a very low-key way. Rather than putting the news at a press conference or through some sort of release, rhode island simply chose to include sports betting into its 2018 state budget.

True to predictions, the first sports bet took place in the ocean state in november 2018. Although the wagering ultimately fell short of the budget’s projections, rhode island became the eighth bona fide location to place wagers on sporting events in the US.

After a few months of retail service, rhode island lawmakers expanded the existing law to allow for mobile wagering throughout the state. Though there have been no launches yet, their debut is fairly imminent.

Rhode island’s approach to sports betting is quite unique. Unlike other states, the majority (51%) of the revenue from in-state sportsbooks goes directly to the state.

In fact, the state’s casinos only receive 17% of the revenue that they generate from sports betting as profit. Another major chunk goes to technology provider IGT, which has an unusually-close relationship with the state government and the two casinos in the state.

Nevertheless, sports betting is proceeding in the ocean state. Mobile apps are fighting a legal battle right now, but should come along at some point in the near future.

Retail sportsbooks in rhode island

View more information about rhode island here.

Rhode island does not appear to be making any moves toward legalizing online casinos soon. The state’s focus is on ensuring a successful launch of its sports betting products.

For now, rhode islanders who wish to play online casino games can use one of the sweepstakes sites available to them. These sites can offer online casino action while staying in compliance with the law.

Like the situation with online casinos, there is no indication that rhode island is considering a move towards legalizing online poker in the state. With so much riding on the success of sports betting, online poker is decidedly on the back burner.

So, rhode island poker players can find action through a sweepstakes site, if they like. These sites use a unique business model to stay legal and offer poker games throughout the US.

Oregon gambling

Forms of legal online gambling

• Online sports betting launched in october 2019


• No plans for online casino


• No plans for online poker

Oregon occupies an unusual spot in US sports betting history, in that it was one of the few states outside of nevada to offer a sports betting product. So, it makes sense that the beaver state is now one of the first to offer online sports betting

Oregon became the first state in the pacific northwest to launch sports betting post-PASPA. The chinook winds casino, a tribal facility, played host to the first legal sports wager in the beaver state in september 2019.

Online sports betting came to oregon the following month. The oregon lottery debuted its scoreboard app in conjunction with software company sbtech.

Lottery officials moved forward without passage of any new legislation in the state. Because of the state’s prior exemption under PASPA, the lottery claimed that it had the authority to launch sports betting without needing any further authorization.

So far, the legislature has yet to challenge that claim in any meaningful way. A new revenue stream has a way of tamping down on dissent.

Meanwhile, oregon’s numerous tribal casinos can assert the same freedom to offer sports betting that chinook winds did. They just haven’t done so yet.

Finally, there could potentially be hundreds of sports betting locations to launch in oregon. Since the state lottery has such exercised such unfettered authority, it is entirely likely that sports betting could become part of the menu at any of the lottery’s terminals spread throughout the state.

If that happens, taverns, bars, and even convenience stores throughout oregon could become sports betting states. In the meantime, oregonians will have to console themselves with the few sports betting opportunities they have.

It is, indeed, better than nothing. Here is the lone online sportsbook in oregon:

• Oregon lottery scoreboard: the oregon lottery’s scoreboard launched its operations in october 2019. The app offers numerous live betting options and an extensive library of different types of betting.

Retail sportsbooks in oregon

Generally speaking, oregon is not terribly friendly to the idea of online casinos. It’s possible that the state’s outdoorsy ethos leads lawmakers to believe that gamblers should be outside a bit more.

Regardless, there are no online casino laws on the horizon in oregon. Players who wish to take part should use one of the sweepstakes sites available throughout the country.

Although oregon is home to several poker clubs, oregon’s government is not comfortable with the idea of allowing this particular game of chance to reign. Certainly, there are no movements to bring online poker to the beaver state.

So, like their online casino brethren, online poker players in oregon will need to use sweepstakes sites in order to play from home. For right now, the focus is on sports betting.

States with the potential to regulate / launch in 2020

state	online casino	online poker	online sports betting
michigan	yes	yes	yes
colorado	yes	yes	yes
illinois	no	no	yes
montana	yes	no	yes
north carolina	no	no	yes
tennessee	no	no	yes

Forms of legal online gambling

• Online sports betting legalized in december 2019


• Online casinos legalized in december 2019


• Online poker legalized in december 2019

On dec. 20, 2019, gov. Gretchen whitmer signed legislation to legalize online gambling in michigan.

Operators will be limited to one online skin. The bill does not permit multi-state games.

Each of the three commercial and 23 tribal casinos will be permitted to apply for licensing, which will cost $50,000 for application, $100,000 for actual licensing and $50,000 for annual renewal.

Colorado gambling

Forms of legal online gambling

• Online sports betting legalized in november 2019


• Potential for online casinos to launch


• Potential for online poker to launch

Colorado legalized sports betting through a voter referendum in november 2019. The new law, which will allow the state’s casinos to open both online and retail books, passed by a narrow margin. Launches are not expected until may 2020 at the earliest.

Colorado is home to 33 casinos, which are mostly clustered into three mountain towns. Most of the casinos are likely to apply for licenses, which only cost a paltry $2,000.

Montana gambling

Forms of legal online gambling

• Online sports betting legalized in may 2019


• No plans for online casinos


• No plans for online poker

Montana gov. Steve bullock affixed his signature to H 725 in may 2019, and thus, ushered full sports betting into montana. The law allows for both mobile and retail sports betting in the state. Betting will also occur through taverns and lottery kiosks.

Montana’s foray into sports betting will be a far more governmental affair than in other states. Lottery giant intralot will handle the state’s sports betting activities for at least the next seven years.

Tennessee gambling

Forms of legal online gambling

• Online sports betting legalized in april 2019


• No plans for online casinos


• No plans for online poker

Tennessee approved a sports betting law in april 2019. Curiously enough, since there are no gambling venues in the state, the law allows for online sports betting only – there is no retail sports betting on the horizon. Sites should launch sometime in 2020.

Operators will have to pay $750,000 annually to renew their licenses. While that’s steep, big names like draftkings and fanduel are unlikely to be deterred from applying.

Illinois gambling

Forms of legal online gambling

• Online sports betting legalized in june 2019


• No plans for online casinos


• No plans for online poker

Sports betting became legal in illinois in june 2019. The bill provides for both retail and online sports wagering, although the online version requires in-person registration for the first 18 months. A launch seems likely in 2020.

Licenses to offer sports betting in illinois are a whopping $10 million. However, given that all casinos, all racetracks, and even some sports venues can apply, it seems likely that there will be plenty of takers, even at that price.

Legal retail or onsite US sports betting

Some states are moving more tentatively into the sports betting world than others. The following are the states that have launched retail sports betting only. They have either severely limited online betting or prohibited it outright.

New york – new york legalized sports betting back in 2013, but had to wait for PASPA to fall. Now, there are seven retail sportsbooks (four commercial, three tribal) spread throughout the state. Lawmakers are continuing to work for online sports betting.

Arkansas – arkansas launched its first sportsbook in july 2019 when the oaklawn racing casino resort opened its doors. It is arkansas’ only sportsbook. The law allows for the placement of three more facilities, but no mobile wagering is permitted.

Mississippi – mississippi was one of the first states to launch sports betting after the fall of PASPA. The first book opened its doors in august 2018, and dozens more have joined since then. However, state law only allows online play while onsite at a gambling facility.

New mexico – new mexico is the only state with legal sportsbooks and no state law allowing sports betting. Five tribal casinos have opened books since october 2018, claiming the right under their state compact. None have offered a mobile app yet.

North carolina – north carolina gave its two tribal casinos the power to offer sports betting in july 2019. There’s still no definite timeline for a launch, as lawmakers are continuing to study the issue. The bill did not allow either casino to offer online sports betting.

Washington, D.C. – the washington D.C. City council passed a bill in december 2018 to allow retail and online sports betting throughout the nation’s capital. Unfortunately, a judge has blocked that move for the time being. There is no timeframe for launch in D.C. Now.

After you select where you’ll be wagering, read about the basics of sports betting. It’s a handy guide for both novices and those who want to brush up on their skills.

States that are considering legalizing sports betting

While some states are intent on bringing sports betting to their residents, others are more hesitant. In some cases, the states are larger and have more stakeholders to satisfy. Regardless, here are the states that are considering legal sports betting.

California: two california lawmakers filed companion bills to legalize sports betting in 2019. However, california’s size and complexity means that there is a long road ahead before sports betting will come to the golden state.

Florida: A florida state senator has filed a trio of bills to legalize sports betting in the state and put the state lottery in charge. What remains to be seen is how the powerful seminole tribe, which operates multiple florida casinos, will fit into the plan.

Maine: maine’s legislature sent a completed sports bill to the desk of gov. Janet mills in june 2019. Unfortunately, after a months-long delay, mills chose to veto the bill in january 2020. So, it remains to be seen where maine goes from here.

Massachusetts: there’s no denying that there is conversation in massachusetts about sports betting. There are several bills under the scrutiny of state sen. Eric lesser right now, and according to the boston globe , sports betting is a matter of when, not if, in massachusetts.

Kentucky: after an attempt to legalize sports betting died in committee in 2019, all seemed lost for sports betting in kentucky. However, state rep. Adam koenig has refiled a version of his previous bill already, so there will be another bite at the apple in 2020.

Maryland: state sen. Chris west has prefiled a senate bill that would bring retail sports betting to maryland’s casinos and racetracks. While the bill does not permit online sports betting, its passage would pave the way for expansion in the future.

Missouri: missouri has two prefiled sports betting bills on tap for the 2020 legislative year right now. Unfortunately, both bills call for an integrity fee to go to the sports leagues. This requirement is unnecessary and will artificially increase the proposed tax rate there.

Kansas: at one point in 2019, it seemed as though kansas was well on its way to legalizing sports betting. Then, arguments over where a gambler would be able to bet helped to derail the momentum. However, all signs point to a renewed effort in 2020.

US ONLINE LOTTERY

Georgia: the georgia lottery corporation allows residents to play online from anywhere in georgia. Players can buy tickets for draw games, including fantasy 5, mega millions, powerball. There are also keno games available and the georgia lottery’s exclusive interactive diggi games. Online lottery sale went live in the state in november 2012. The launch coincided with the release of a lottery debit card players can use online called the ihope. It allows players to preload funds, buy tickets and download winnings.

Illinois: illinois launched a pilot program offering online sales of lotto and mega millions tickets in march 2012. This made illinois the first state to offer online lottery ticket sales. By december 2012, the illinois lottery’s website was also offering tickets for the popular multi-state powerball lottery. It has since expanded to include daily lottery games and instant games, the online equivalent of instant ticket scratch-offs. In april 2014, illinois lottery officials announced online tickets sales had reached $36.9 million in the program’s first two years.

Michigan: the michigan lottery officially launched online lottery sales in the fall of 2014. Michigan residents were then allowed to buy tickets for instant keno and electronic scratch-off game equivalents from a computer, smartphone, or tablet device.

In january 2016, the michigan lottery began draw game ticket sales online. This allowed michigan residents to buy tickets online for the most popular draw games, including powerball, mega millions, lotto 47, and fantasy 5. Players have to be michigan residents over the age of 18. Plus, they must sign up for an account on the michigan lottery website to make purchases.

Kentucky: kentucky became the latest state to offer online lottery ticket sales in 2016. The state offers online sales of jackpot and daily draw games as well as instant play games. Online ticket sales were actually approved in 2013. However, it took the state three years to develop its complex online ticketing and security system. Players have to set up an account and deposit money to buy tickets. Deposits cannot be withdrawn in accordance with money-laundering laws.

New hampshire: in june of 2017, new hampshire became the fifth state to pass laws allowing for online lottery sales. On sept. 20, 2018, the state officially launched its online lottery offering.

Pennsylvania: as part of a large gambling expansion bill that passed in october 2017, pennsylvania is the latest state to legalize the online lottery. The PA ilottery soft-launched on may 29, 2018. Currently, it only features instant win online scratch-off games. There is room for the game selection to expand in the future though.

DAILY FANTASY SPORTS IN THE US

Daily fantasy sports sites operate in numerous states. Some have authored legislation regulating and taxing operators, while others do not.

New york was really the first state to take on DFS operators after the game’s popularity began to rise. New york attorney general eric schneiderman issued a cease-and-desist order to top DFS operators draftkings and fanduel in november 2015. At the time, schneiderman claimed DFS was illegal gambling under state law and really just a re-branded version of sports betting.

A protracted legal battle and negotiated went on until august 2016 when NY governor andrew cuomo signed a bill allowing DFS sites to serve new yorkers. The sites now pay a licensing fee and 15% tax on gross revenues to the state.

In the meantime, massachusetts lawmakers went a different route. They chose to legalize DFS operations and set a number of regulations. However, there are no taxes and fees associated.

In nevada, DFS operators are being treated just like casinos. They are required to apply for a gambling operators license. So far, no major DFS operators have sought to operate in nevada.

Other states, like california, have considered legislation regulating and taxing DFS operators, but have yet to pass any laws. California remains the largest market for DFS sites.

THE HISTORY OF ONLINE GAMBLING IN THE UNITED STATES

The first online casinos started opening up on the internet back in 1994. The operators of these sites were mostly based in places like antigua and the isle of man, but they happily accepted customers from the united states.

By 1996, a first nations group near montreal, quebec, canada set up a gaming commission and started issuing licenses to online poker and casino sites on north american soil. This group was the mohawk territory of kahnawake and the commission was known as the kahnawake gaming commission.

The number of online gambling websites around the world suddenly ballooned from a handful to hundreds.

By 1998, reports suggested online gambling revenues were upwards of $800 million.

US LAWMAKERS START LOOKING

A year later, the US senate made its first attempt to ban online gambling, introducing the internet gambling prohibition act. The bill did not pass.

In 2002, the united states court of appeals for the fifth circuit ruled the federal wire act prohibits sports betting, but not necessarily online gambling. However, the US department of justice disagreed, claiming all online gambling is illegal in the US, and that advertising online gambling is akin to aiding and abetting a crime. In 2004, search engines google and yahoo! Pulled all online gambling advertising.

THE UNLAWFUL INTERNET GAMBLING ENFORCEMENT ACT

In september 2006, the US congress passed the unlawful internet gambling enforcement act (UIGEA) as a part of the SAFE port act. The act made it illegal for US banks to process transactions for online gambling sites. President george W. Bush signed the bill into law in october and a number of online gambling operators immediately pulled out of the US market.

However, the online gambling industry kept growing and many operators continued to accept US customers. The offshore operations skirted around the new banking laws in a variety of creative ways. By 2008, market data and intelligence firm H2 gambling capital estimated worldwide online gambling revenues had hit $21 billion.

ONLINE POKER’S BLACK FRIDAY

On april 15, 2011, three of the largest online poker operators in the world were indicted on various charges including violating the UIGEA. These sites included pokerstars, full tilt, and absolute poker. Access to the sites from the US was shut down and the massive US online poker market was effectively closed. The day became known as black friday in the online poker community.

It was ultimately exposed that full tilt had failed to segregate player funds and paid out millions in to its owners. A settlement was reached that included pokerstars buying full tilt and paying back US players who were left out of pocket.

WEIGHING IN ON THE WIRE ACT

In december 2011, the DOJ released a legal opinion that federal wire act only applies to sports bets. This paved the way for individual states to begin to consider online lottery sales, and ultimately online poker and online casino games.

THE NEW LEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING MARKET

In the summer of 2012, delaware became the first state to legalize online gambling, passing the delaware gaming competitiveness act.

In february 2013, nevada became the second state to legalize online gambling, authorizing the issue of online poker licenses. Within a week, new jersey became the third state to legalize online gambling, authorizing the issue of both online poker and online casino licenses to casinos in atlantic city.

In april 2013, the first legal online gambling site in the united states went live in nevada. It was an online poker room called ultimate poker. By november, online poker and online casinos went live in delaware and new jersey.

In 2017, pennsylvania became the fourth and largest state to pass legislation regulating online gambling. Both online casinos and an online poker room launched in 2019.

In 2018, the supreme court overturned PASPA, which ignited a wave of interest across several states in authorizing sports betting, including online sports betting.

In early 2019, the DOJ released a revised wire act opinion. The impacts of that new opinion on legal online gambling remain unclear.

How online gambling works

The legality of online gambling

Gambling online falls into a legal grey area. While it is technically illegal in most of the united states, the prosecution and conviction of individual players is very difficult because they're gambling from home. It is also illegal for a gambling web site to operate within the united states, which is why the offices and servers of most online casinos are located in other countries. There are about 70 countries that allow online gambling sites to set up shop, including australia, new zealand, south korea, denmark, finland, france, germany, and some provinces of canada.

When you register for an online casino, you are required to agree to the site's terms and conditions. Finding out whether or not gambling is legal where you live is your responsibility. You must also abide by any age limits set on gambling in your locality. If online gambling is illegal in your area, and authorities discover that you've won money, your winnings could be forfeit.

Issues of jurisdiction and sovereignty make gambling laws even murkier. The U.S. Wire wager act makes it illegal to use an electronic wire method (which courts generally agree includes the internet) to transmit bets to places where gambling is not allowed. So a casino set up in the netherlands is breaking U.S. Law if a player in the U.S. Plays their games. However, the U.S. Doesn't really have the legal authority to prosecute someone in another country. Since players are almost never prosecuted either, we're left with an illegal act that generally goes unpunished. Of course, if an off-shore casino decides to cheat a player out of winnings, and online gambling is illegal in that player's locality, the player will have a difficult time suing the casino.

This brings us to the topic of regulation. Some of the countries that allow online casinos to operate have strict guidelines and regulations that make sure the casinos operate legitimately. They make sure the casino pays out when players win, and they ensure that published odds match the actual odds programmed into each game. Australian and finnish online casinos are known for adhering to national standards. Some countries are not so strict about regulation and may be more interested in taxing the casinos than making sure that they play fair. There are many online casinos to choose from, and it pays to do some research into the regulations they must follow when you select one.

In the next section, we'll find out how players make their money available for online gambling.

In the 2001 case of the united states v. Jay cohen, the U.S. Prosecuted an american who set up an online sports betting operation in antigua. Cohen took great care to consult with lawyers and accountants ahead of time to make sure that his operation was legal. However, he was prosecuted and successfully convicted on a technicality of the wire wager act. This case is interesting because of the dissenting opinion of justice james oliver, who pointed out the inadequacies of current laws that deal with the internet, the futility of trying to ban online gambling, and the mercurial tides of public and political opinion regarding gambling in general [ref].

The case of thompson v. Handa-lopez, inc. Revolved around a california-based online casino that refused to pay out the plaintiff's winnings. The casino operated legally in california because players earned game tokens called "funbucks," which could be redeemed for prizes. This case is notable for two things: it is an oft-cited legal precedent for deciding the jurisdiction when a company operates a web site in one place that is accessed by users in other places; and it shows that not all online casinos are reputable. [ref].

Legal online casinos & online gambling

Online casinos are legal in most parts of the world. Many world governments have written laws specifically addressing the legalities of online gambling; others like the united states depend heavily on state law and an existing legal vacuum to keep online gambling in check. The legality of an online casino has something to do with that casino’s proper operations and something to do with the legality of online gambling where you live. Finding legal online casinos isn’t hard, you just have to know what you’re looking for and shop around a little.

Comparing legal online casinos is a matter of first finding out if casino gambling online is legal where you live, then doing a little bit of work browsing online casino sites and comparing their features.

Our list of licensed and legal casinos for 2020

How to find legal online casinos

If you’re shopping around for a legal online casino, a place to play online slots or casino table games, there are a few things to consider. Your first concern should be finding a legitimate casino that operates legally and pays out winnings fairly. Once you’ve found a few legal online casinos, other factors become important. Here are two questions that should help you find a good legal online casino.

Does this casino have a good reputation?

You don’t have to ask yourself this question with some of the bigger names in the online gaming industry. A big casino gambling site like bet365 or betsson that has been accepting wagers since long before they launched a website, is obviously a legitimate business, sometimes even a household name.

If an online casino is operated by a publicly-traded company, displays valid gaming licenses prominently on their website, and does not bring up a ton of red flags when you google the name, it is probably a site with a good reputation.

Not all casino sites have the same experience in the casino business, and you’ll need to test their reputation on your own. Again, browsing around the website and reading online reviews should tell you enough to know if the site is legit or not. You want to see gaming licenses and auditing certificates posted prominently on the site along with an active customer service department. Online casino gambling forums are also good sources for information about fraudulent or illegal online casinos.

Does this casino accept wagers from citizens of my country?

Remember that online gaming laws vary from country to country and region to region. The result is that not every online casino is able to do business with people from all over the planet. Depending on the gambling laws in the country where you live, you may find a number of sites that simply don’t offer gambling to people from your country.

The best example of this comes to us from north america; people living in the USA and canada have had the doors of many online casinos shut in their faces, thanks to tighter regulation of online gambling and rumors of future legislation against online casinos operating in the US or canada. To find out if players from your country are restricted, check the site’s FAQ page or contact customer service.

Are all online casinos legal?

Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer to this question. Federal and local laws exist all over the world that restrict online casino gambling, while other governments explicitly state that online casino gambling is legal; some even tax and regulate online casino play to raise revenue. The worldwide legal status of online gambling is too much to take all at once, so concentrate instead on gambling laws where you live.

To figure out if there are laws against online gambling in your country, state, or region, you’ll need to spend a little time researching. It doesn’t matter where you get information about the legality of gambling online, just that the information is accurate. A few websites have popped up directly addressing the legality of online gambling in different parts of the world, and the best of these provide sources for their information.

Sometimes you’ll luck out and find out about the legal status of gambling where you live through a gambling website. Try to access an online casino site from a restricted country and you’re likely to see a pop-up explaining that citizens of your country aren’t allowed to gamble for real money at that particular site. Restricted access to online casinos is not always due to laws against online gambling; american gamblers are shut out of many online casinos because the casino chose to avoid future legal problems, fearing new laws in america to make online gambling illegal. It’s confusing, but any industry that does business with hundreds of different countries and legal traditions is bound to be confusing. If you live in the united states, you might be interested in our laws section, which reviews the current legal status of gambling within each state. This includes colorado, hawaii, new jersey, delaware, nebraska, and new hampshire – among others.

If all else fails and you’re still not sure if online casino gambling is legal in your area, your best bet is to consult a legal professional. If you can’t figure out from other sources if there are laws against playing at online casino sites, it’s best to avoid potential legal troubles by talking to a lawyer.

A final tip when hunting down legal online casinos: contact a casino’s customer service department and ask them all your legal questions. Online casinos make customer service available for a reason: they want to answer your questions about the casino’s website site, help you with banking or gameplay problems, and assist potential customers in figuring out if their casino is a good fit. Any decent online casino site will post contact information clearly, usually under a tab like “contact us.”

If the online casino you’re researching has a live chat program, where you use something similar to an instant messenger service to talk to customer support staff, you’re in luck. Talking to customer service about the legality of the site for people in your country using live chat is the fastest and easiest way to get an answer to your question. Talking to a casino site’s customer service team gives you the chance to find out if your country is restricted and to ask any other questions you have. Use this opportunity to test the services offered, including how long you have to wait for an answer and the amount of knowledge the support staff has. A good customer service staff at your online casino is invaluable.

Internet casino legal

Bovada is our preferred brand for US friendly online casino gambling. They offer a generous welcome bonus that is worth up to $3,000 free to play both slots and table games.

All in all, they are an excellent choice for any casino player looking to play with the biggest and most reputable USA friendly brands around. Their payouts are processed fast and efficiently, and they deliver an overall exceptional online gambling experience.

• US friendly


• Bovada casino accepts players from most US states


• Owned and operated by the bodog network


• Successfully supports US credit card deposits


• Accepts multiple forms of cryptocurrency such as bitcoin and bitcoin cash


• Fast and reliable payouts guaranteed


• Generous $3,000 sign up bonus


• Mobile friendly games


• Most trusted and reputable USA online casino

• They only accept U.S., mexico and brazil players - no other countries allowed


• Excluded states: NV, NJ, DE, MD

Legal online casinos open to all USA players

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Online casino regulation and legality

Online casino gambling made its debut in the early 1990s, and the industry has been booming ever since. The current legal online gambling climate differs from country to country. In the united states, it can even differ from state to state while in countries outside of the US, legal online casino gambling is prevalent and welcomed.

In the US, only a handful of states have actually authorized state-regulated online casino gambling, including nevada, delaware, and new jersey, who were the first to do so. There are also several other states which have adopted friendly and legal state-based online gambling legislation for their residents and visitors. Additional states are in the process of creating or passing legislation to allow them to enter the domestic online casino market in the united states.

There are still restrictions that come into play, but by and large, united states citizens without access to state-sponsored US internet casinos can still legally enjoy the web's version of the physical las vegas experience by playing at legitimate and legally licensed offshore casinos. There are no federal laws prohibiting offshore online casino gaming.

Online casino betting legality is, however, a frequently changing picture as we've seen through the state-licensed online gambling platforms that are emerging. The FAQ section below will address a host of elements concerning the online casino gambling industry as it pertains to USA players to ensure that american residents have all the information they need to make informed decisions regarding their involvement in real money casino gambling on the internet.

Frequently asked questions about legal USA online casinos

The following information addresses the most commonly asked questions concerning legal online casino gambling in the U.S. We attempted to answer them all with thoughtful, in-depth answers to leave no room for misunderstanding the concepts associated with the online gambling industry and your options as a USA player.

Are online casinos legal in the united states?

In a nutshell, there is nothing at all illegal about playing at an online casino if you live in the united states. Prohibitions in US federal laws have historically targeted those seeking to operate an online casino within the united states, and until 2011 when the DOJ re-interpreted the reach of the federal wire act, nobody was allowed to do so. It has never been illegal to access or play real money games at an offshore online casino that is operating legally within its residing jurisdiction and the industry as a whole.

There are two states that do prohibit online gambling in general, regardless of its source, those being connecticut and washington. Though the restrictions are not enforced in these two states, we suggest players in those states follow the rule of law.

As mentioned above, there are multiple US states that have launched a state-licensed and regulated online casino gambling platform for their residents. Players who are located within those states have access to state-sanctioned online gambling. Anybody located outside of those regions must either rely on land-based gambling destinations or consider visiting legally licensed and regulated offshore casino websites.

What laws pertain to online casino gambling in america?

The federal wire act was relevant to state-regulated online casino gambling prior to 2011 when the DOJ deemed the law to only apply to US-based sports betting. However, since the repeal of PASPA in 2018, the primary function of this law is to restrict interstate wagering, or in other words, prohibit bets from crossing state lines. This has caused some conflict with states that have entered into interstate gaming compacts to share player pools - so those details are still being hammered out.

The UIGEA law does not prohibit US residents from participating in gambling at legitimate online casinos that are regulated and located outside of america. In fact, the unlawful internet gambling enforcement act is not directed at players at all but rather targets online casino operators and payment processors, administering regulatory oversight regarding how online gambling transactions can be processed.

There are no federal laws that make it illegal for U.S. Residents to participate in offshore online casino gambling at destinations that are operating within the industry legitimately, meaning they are legally licensed and regulated by a respected governing jurisdiction or they are owned and operated by a parent company that holds licensing credentials for one or more jurisdictions. Therefore you are not violating any US laws by enjoying real money casino gambling on the web as long as you are restricting your gameplay to legitimate websites.

What is the legal online gambling age in the US?

This is one instance where state law takes the driver's spot. Most american friendly online casinos accept players as young as 18 years old. However, most states mandate that players meet a minimum age requirement of 21 years old before they can legally engage in gambling entertainment. The laws in your state will dictate the legal age at which you may access legal online casino destinations.

Players who live in a state without an established gambling age cannot gamble online at a reputable online casino prior to turning 18. Anyone participating in underage gambling is subject to criminal prosecution by state or local law enforcement. The legal gambling age in the united states varies by state.

Are online casinos located offshore safe?

As long as you restrict your involvement to only those casino websites that have been verified to be legally licensed and regulated by a legitimate governing jurisdiction, then yes, enjoying online casino games online is perfectly safe. If you waiver on legitimacy even slightly, you risk landing at a dangerous, questionable or low quality casino destination. The sites we recommend are audited for fair gaming practices by third party agencies.

Each of the casinos you see recommended in this guide have been vetted by our team of professional analysts to ensure they hold legitimate licensing (or are owned and operated by a parent company that does) and are subject to genuine regulatory oversight from a respected governing authority.

We also closely examine their security protocols and technology to ensure that any brand included in our guide is able to adequately protect your sensitive data. In order to be considered for inclusion here, each casino must employ a security profile that exceeds licensing requirements and industry standards to provide protection that is comparable to world-class financial institutions.

What types of games will I find at US friendly online casinos?

The online casinos recommended in this guide all provide a substantial selection of casino games in their menu. Flash technology, cutting-edge 3-D graphics, video, and animation mean very realistic vegas style versions of popular casino games like slots, baccarat, blackjack, roulette, video poker, let it ride, keno, and craps. You will find that some of these casinos also offer additional platforms, such as sports betting, horse racing, esports and poker.

Am I required to download software in order to play real money casino games online?

Most reputable online casinos offer an option for instant play casino games or a downloadable suite of casino games. In some cases the downloadable option provides an expanded selection of games and features, however, I personally use the instant play casino games option more often than not, and I've never been disappointed with the performance or selection. Downloadable games are becoming fewer and far between as technology advances.

All of our recommended gambling destinations also offer a mobile casino app to play their games from your smartphone or tablet, and 99% of the casinos do not require a download of any kind in order to access and enjoy the games.

How do I make deposits and withdrawals

Most US friendly internet casinos support cryptocurrency deposits such as bitcoin, credit card deposits and check or money transfer withdrawal options. You will also occasionally see additional US friendly deposit and withdrawal options such as secure payment vouchers, and prepaid cards.

The selection of funding methods varies from brand to brand. You can log into a casino's banking suite for more information, or speak to customer support for assistance. We recommend everyone become familiar with bitcoin and signup with one of the recommended legal bitcoin casinos we review. Bitcoin is the future of online gambling, online shopping, and money transfers, so it will benefit you in more ways than one to learn about it.

What are the most important considerations that every player should pay attention to when selecting an online casino to play at?

Here are our number one requirements that determine if a brand is worthy of further scrutiny for possible inclusion in our guide. Our process is of course much more in-depth, but these elements will immediately rule out the questionable brands:

Legality – does the casino (or its parent company) hold legal licensing and are they regulated by legitimate governing authority? This is the first thing we look at. A casino that can't meet this requirement is definitely off our list. Most reputable brands are fairly transparent with this information and proud to share documentation that validates their compliance with industry regulations.

Security – we have very stringent standards when it comes to the security profile of any online gambling site. We require the presence of advanced data encryption technology, sophisticated fraud prevention and antivirus protection, and a trained professional technical team for monitoring these systems around the clock.

Reputation – we reach out to other industry professionals and players to see what a casino's reputation is like throughout the online gambling community. While we don't make any decisions based solely on this information, we do take it into consideration and compare it to our own experiences when testing and examining the site ourselves.

Performance – we require a high end, a feature-rich performance that is free of glitches and software triggered interruptions. Because consistency is a key indicator, our testing period is significant in order to return legitimate results.

Customer support – incompetent or non-responsive customer support is a deal-breaker for us. We aggressively test their competence, responsiveness, and ability to deal with issues from simple to complex. Anywhere that you consider investing your money has got to provide a high-quality customer support staff or your money will always be at risk.

Banking suite – we must find successful support of US friendly deposit methods and withdrawal options. After all, if you can't get your money in and out of the casino, what good are they? They must also process transactions timely and efficiently.

If a particular online casino scores high on all these elements, we take them to a deeper level of testing and put them on the potential list for inclusion in our guide.

Are online casino bonuses legit?

The answer to this question depends on where you are playing. If you are visiting one of our recommended casinos, then yes, the bonus offers and promotions are legitimate and are accompanied by reasonable wagering requirements and terms. Most of these offers are structured as match deposit bonuses in which casino site agrees to match a certain percentage of your initial deposit or group of deposits. For example, if a casino offers a 100% match up to $100, they are saying they will match your initial deposit up to a maximum of $100.

On the flip side, the questionable online casinos use attractive bonus offers to lure in unsuspecting players with no intention of honoring the agreement. This is another danger that can be alleviated by relying on expert input regarding which online casino brands you should consider playing at.

Countries where gambling is legal

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Where is gambling legal?

Gambling dates back to the ancient greek tradition which is about 40,000 years in history. However, it is not yet legal, globally. Some countries are yet to fully legalize gambling for their citizens. There are some states in countries like the U.S. Which have legalized gambling while others have not. Online gambling has made it simple, convenient and flexible for gamblers to have their way as they do not have to head to casinos in order to gamble and get slot no deposit bonus. They can do it at the comfort of their homes and have fun while they win money. Below are some of the countries where gambling is not only legal but popular:

The government of australia has set out laws that govern gambling within the country. The legalization of gambling in the country dates back in 1973 when the first casino was issued with a license to operate. Since them, then activity has become legal where gamblers can play slots and poker in both land-based casinos and also online casinos. Statistics show that about 80% of adults in australia engage in gambling which makes it a widespread activity.

It is part of the EU and thus has gambling legalized for its citizens. Gambling was legalized back in 2002 in belgium for both virtual and land-based casinos. However, the history of gambling in the country dates back to the 1300 century. In 2009, the country introduced a gambling act which was meant to oversee and regulate all gambling activities within the region. On top of that, it looks to set even more strict gambling laws to help mitigate gambling addiction problems. Play 10 best online casinos for free on a safe and secure platform. Choose from a wide range of slot machines based on your preference, theme or design of the game.

It is home to some of the best casinos and gambling sites. The government of singapore has made gambling legal for its citizens where they can engage with casino games online or in land-based casinos for real money. Also, they can take part in betting and lottery. Statistics show that about 58% of the population in the country aged 18 years and above, engage in gambling in singapore.

Although it has legalized gambling activities within the country, they are not strictly regulated. The laws that govern gambling the country are outdated as they rely on the gaming and lottery act of 1956. However, due to the untamed addiction by adults in the country which has resulted to financial losses among individuals, the enactment of gambling laws is set to take place.

About 75% of adults in canada have been involved in a gambling activity according to statistics carried out. It is legal to take part in gambling activities in canada. It accepts multiple types of gambling including lotteries, racetracks and playing slot machines in casinos. It is also home to more than 100 land-based casinos which attract many tourists who visit the country just to have the casino experience.

USA online gambling

US SPORTS BETTING UPDATES

UPDATED: march 2, 2020

As pending launches near, michigan sports betting saw another major bookmaker land a partnership to operate within the state.

An agreement with the grand traverse band of ottawa and chippewa indians allows for william hill to make its foray into michigan.

Under the deal, william hill will open a retail sportsbook at turtle creek casino & hotel, as well as a satellite sportsbook at leelanau sands casino & lodge. Both brick-and-mortars are expected to go live by football season. The bookmaker also intends to launch an online sportsbook and casino.

Surely michigan will expand even more moving forward. The state already welcomed partnerships that provided entry points for the likes of pointsbet, fox bet and scientific games.

US ONLINE CASINO UPDATES

A scathing letter to california gov. Gavin newsom details how the california lottery withheld millions of dollars from state schools during the 2018 fiscal year. The letter’s author, state auditor elaine howle, recommended that the governor require the lottery to hand over those funds.

Citing poor management, howle noted that the lottery has not complied with a 2010 education funding law that requires the lottery to maintain a steady proportion of contributed money to schools as it relates to its own net revenue.

Previously, the lottery’s contribution to schools equaled 34% of revenues. A decade ago, however, then-gov. Arnold schwarzenegger signed off on a bill to amend the lottery’s payment to public education. Over that time, the california lottery’s annual revenue has spiked from under $3 billion to more than $7 billion.

Alva V. Johnson, the lottery director, disagrees that his group owes money. His argument: there is a “fundamental difference of opinion” between how the california lottery and howle are interpreting that 2010 amendment.

Internet casino legal

Bovada is our preferred brand for US friendly online casino gambling. They offer a generous welcome bonus that is worth up to $3,000 free to play both slots and table games.

All in all, they are an excellent choice for any casino player looking to play with the biggest and most reputable USA friendly brands around. Their payouts are processed fast and efficiently, and they deliver an overall exceptional online gambling experience.

• US friendly


• Bovada casino accepts players from most US states


• Owned and operated by the bodog network


• Successfully supports US credit card deposits


• Accepts multiple forms of cryptocurrency such as bitcoin and bitcoin cash


• Fast and reliable payouts guaranteed


• Generous $3,000 sign up bonus


• Mobile friendly games


• Most trusted and reputable USA online casino

• They only accept U.S., mexico and brazil players - no other countries allowed


• Excluded states: NV, NJ, DE, MD

Legal online casinos open to all USA players

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Online casino regulation and legality

Online casino gambling made its debut in the early 1990s, and the industry has been booming ever since. The current legal online gambling climate differs from country to country. In the united states, it can even differ from state to state while in countries outside of the US, legal online casino gambling is prevalent and welcomed.

In the US, only a handful of states have actually authorized state-regulated online casino gambling, including nevada, delaware, and new jersey, who were the first to do so. There are also several other states which have adopted friendly and legal state-based online gambling legislation for their residents and visitors. Additional states are in the process of creating or passing legislation to allow them to enter the domestic online casino market in the united states.

There are still restrictions that come into play, but by and large, united states citizens without access to state-sponsored US internet casinos can still legally enjoy the web's version of the physical las vegas experience by playing at legitimate and legally licensed offshore casinos. There are no federal laws prohibiting offshore online casino gaming.

Online casino betting legality is, however, a frequently changing picture as we've seen through the state-licensed online gambling platforms that are emerging. The FAQ section below will address a host of elements concerning the online casino gambling industry as it pertains to USA players to ensure that american residents have all the information they need to make informed decisions regarding their involvement in real money casino gambling on the internet.

Frequently asked questions about legal USA online casinos

The following information addresses the most commonly asked questions concerning legal online casino gambling in the U.S. We attempted to answer them all with thoughtful, in-depth answers to leave no room for misunderstanding the concepts associated with the online gambling industry and your options as a USA player.

Are online casinos legal in the united states?

In a nutshell, there is nothing at all illegal about playing at an online casino if you live in the united states. Prohibitions in US federal laws have historically targeted those seeking to operate an online casino within the united states, and until 2011 when the DOJ re-interpreted the reach of the federal wire act, nobody was allowed to do so. It has never been illegal to access or play real money games at an offshore online casino that is operating legally within its residing jurisdiction and the industry as a whole.

There are two states that do prohibit online gambling in general, regardless of its source, those being connecticut and washington. Though the restrictions are not enforced in these two states, we suggest players in those states follow the rule of law.

As mentioned above, there are multiple US states that have launched a state-licensed and regulated online casino gambling platform for their residents. Players who are located within those states have access to state-sanctioned online gambling. Anybody located outside of those regions must either rely on land-based gambling destinations or consider visiting legally licensed and regulated offshore casino websites.

What laws pertain to online casino gambling in america?

The federal wire act was relevant to state-regulated online casino gambling prior to 2011 when the DOJ deemed the law to only apply to US-based sports betting. However, since the repeal of PASPA in 2018, the primary function of this law is to restrict interstate wagering, or in other words, prohibit bets from crossing state lines. This has caused some conflict with states that have entered into interstate gaming compacts to share player pools - so those details are still being hammered out.

The UIGEA law does not prohibit US residents from participating in gambling at legitimate online casinos that are regulated and located outside of america. In fact, the unlawful internet gambling enforcement act is not directed at players at all but rather targets online casino operators and payment processors, administering regulatory oversight regarding how online gambling transactions can be processed.

There are no federal laws that make it illegal for U.S. Residents to participate in offshore online casino gambling at destinations that are operating within the industry legitimately, meaning they are legally licensed and regulated by a respected governing jurisdiction or they are owned and operated by a parent company that holds licensing credentials for one or more jurisdictions. Therefore you are not violating any US laws by enjoying real money casino gambling on the web as long as you are restricting your gameplay to legitimate websites.

What is the legal online gambling age in the US?

This is one instance where state law takes the driver's spot. Most american friendly online casinos accept players as young as 18 years old. However, most states mandate that players meet a minimum age requirement of 21 years old before they can legally engage in gambling entertainment. The laws in your state will dictate the legal age at which you may access legal online casino destinations.

Players who live in a state without an established gambling age cannot gamble online at a reputable online casino prior to turning 18. Anyone participating in underage gambling is subject to criminal prosecution by state or local law enforcement. The legal gambling age in the united states varies by state.

Are online casinos located offshore safe?

As long as you restrict your involvement to only those casino websites that have been verified to be legally licensed and regulated by a legitimate governing jurisdiction, then yes, enjoying online casino games online is perfectly safe. If you waiver on legitimacy even slightly, you risk landing at a dangerous, questionable or low quality casino destination. The sites we recommend are audited for fair gaming practices by third party agencies.

Each of the casinos you see recommended in this guide have been vetted by our team of professional analysts to ensure they hold legitimate licensing (or are owned and operated by a parent company that does) and are subject to genuine regulatory oversight from a respected governing authority.

We also closely examine their security protocols and technology to ensure that any brand included in our guide is able to adequately protect your sensitive data. In order to be considered for inclusion here, each casino must employ a security profile that exceeds licensing requirements and industry standards to provide protection that is comparable to world-class financial institutions.

What types of games will I find at US friendly online casinos?

The online casinos recommended in this guide all provide a substantial selection of casino games in their menu. Flash technology, cutting-edge 3-D graphics, video, and animation mean very realistic vegas style versions of popular casino games like slots, baccarat, blackjack, roulette, video poker, let it ride, keno, and craps. You will find that some of these casinos also offer additional platforms, such as sports betting, horse racing, esports and poker.

Am I required to download software in order to play real money casino games online?

Most reputable online casinos offer an option for instant play casino games or a downloadable suite of casino games. In some cases the downloadable option provides an expanded selection of games and features, however, I personally use the instant play casino games option more often than not, and I've never been disappointed with the performance or selection. Downloadable games are becoming fewer and far between as technology advances.

All of our recommended gambling destinations also offer a mobile casino app to play their games from your smartphone or tablet, and 99% of the casinos do not require a download of any kind in order to access and enjoy the games.

How do I make deposits and withdrawals

Most US friendly internet casinos support cryptocurrency deposits such as bitcoin, credit card deposits and check or money transfer withdrawal options. You will also occasionally see additional US friendly deposit and withdrawal options such as secure payment vouchers, and prepaid cards.

The selection of funding methods varies from brand to brand. You can log into a casino's banking suite for more information, or speak to customer support for assistance. We recommend everyone become familiar with bitcoin and signup with one of the recommended legal bitcoin casinos we review. Bitcoin is the future of online gambling, online shopping, and money transfers, so it will benefit you in more ways than one to learn about it.

What are the most important considerations that every player should pay attention to when selecting an online casino to play at?

Here are our number one requirements that determine if a brand is worthy of further scrutiny for possible inclusion in our guide. Our process is of course much more in-depth, but these elements will immediately rule out the questionable brands:

Legality – does the casino (or its parent company) hold legal licensing and are they regulated by legitimate governing authority? This is the first thing we look at. A casino that can't meet this requirement is definitely off our list. Most reputable brands are fairly transparent with this information and proud to share documentation that validates their compliance with industry regulations.

Security – we have very stringent standards when it comes to the security profile of any online gambling site. We require the presence of advanced data encryption technology, sophisticated fraud prevention and antivirus protection, and a trained professional technical team for monitoring these systems around the clock.

Reputation – we reach out to other industry professionals and players to see what a casino's reputation is like throughout the online gambling community. While we don't make any decisions based solely on this information, we do take it into consideration and compare it to our own experiences when testing and examining the site ourselves.

Performance – we require a high end, a feature-rich performance that is free of glitches and software triggered interruptions. Because consistency is a key indicator, our testing period is significant in order to return legitimate results.

Customer support – incompetent or non-responsive customer support is a deal-breaker for us. We aggressively test their competence, responsiveness, and ability to deal with issues from simple to complex. Anywhere that you consider investing your money has got to provide a high-quality customer support staff or your money will always be at risk.

Banking suite – we must find successful support of US friendly deposit methods and withdrawal options. After all, if you can't get your money in and out of the casino, what good are they? They must also process transactions timely and efficiently.

If a particular online casino scores high on all these elements, we take them to a deeper level of testing and put them on the potential list for inclusion in our guide.

Are online casino bonuses legit?

The answer to this question depends on where you are playing. If you are visiting one of our recommended casinos, then yes, the bonus offers and promotions are legitimate and are accompanied by reasonable wagering requirements and terms. Most of these offers are structured as match deposit bonuses in which casino site agrees to match a certain percentage of your initial deposit or group of deposits. For example, if a casino offers a 100% match up to $100, they are saying they will match your initial deposit up to a maximum of $100.

On the flip side, the questionable online casinos use attractive bonus offers to lure in unsuspecting players with no intention of honoring the agreement. This is another danger that can be alleviated by relying on expert input regarding which online casino brands you should consider playing at.

Is online gambling legal and regulated?

Online gambling started out as an unregulated industry. The first step in the process of bringing legitimacy to the industry was the creation of online gaming commissions. Many started in island nations.

These include malta, gibraltar, alderney, isle of man, curacao and kahnawake.

These jurisdictions are still by and large involved in online casino regulation. But over time, regulation of online gambling, and the development of law surrounding online gambling, has become an area of interest for larger economic powers.

Below is an overview of how online gambling is handled in a variety of major international jurisdictions.

UK online gaming regulation

The united kingdom was the first country to address this situation. The UK gambling commission was created through the gaming act of 2005 and oversees remote gaming. This combined all gaming in the united kingdom under one regulator. Online gaming under the jurisdiction of the gambling commission includes online poker, casinos, sports betting, bingo and keno.

The UK gambling commission created a tax on internet gaming but it had a loophole. Only companies located in the united kingdom were required to be licensed. This motivated companies that once calling UK home to migrate to tax havens.

These offshore companies were not just evading taxes, but there were also player disputes that UK regulators could not intervene with due to a lack of jurisdiction. These two issues pushed the country to revisit its online gaming licensing process.

Any company that now operates in the UK must be licensed by the gambling commission. There is 15 percent tax on all gaming win, known as a point of consumption tax. The gambling commission also has jurisdiction in gaming disputes.

This caused some remote gaming companies to leave the market. Others consolidated brands as each required licensing under the act.

Canada online gaming regulation

Canada is largely an unregulated country in terms of online gaming. Gaming regulations are up to the individual province. Provincial lotteries regulate online gaming in all jurisdictions where it is regulated. Poker, sports parlays and casino games are operated under a license where it is specifically approved.

Remote games are licensed under the lotteries in british columbia, manitoba, ontario and quebec.

British columbia and manitoba operate under the playnow brand. Ontario’s site is playolg. Quebec’s is espacejeux. These are the only sites operated and regulated by canada governments.

Boss media software is used by these lotteries. The poker sites between the lotteries are networked.

There are more than 100 other sites that accept canadians. These are not licensed and there is little recourse if there is a dispute.

France online gambling

Online gambling in france is regulated by the autorité de régulation des jeux en ligne. This translates into english as the regulatory authority for online games. It is typically referred to by the acronym ARJEL. It was created by the french gambling act in 2010.

ARJEL regulated all forms of online gambling. This includes poker, casino games and sports betting.

There are multiple criticisms of ARJEL. The tax rate is 44 percent. This is the highest of any country in the world. Only the tiny US state of delaware has a higher rate, which is 45 percent, but 100 percent up to the $3 million in annual revenue.

This high tax rate is a burden on operators. This cuts into the marketing budgets. This is one reason there are virtually no affiliate deals in the french online gaming sector.

Another complaint by operators is that online poker in ring-fenced. Poker players in france may only play at sites that operate within the country’s borders. There is no access to international player pools on legal french sites. This hurts liquidity. It limits the game availability as well as the size of tournament prize pools.

Winamax is the largest operator licensed by ARJEL. Others include pokerstars, bwin.Party and playtech. These and other companies licensed by ARJEL will use a .Fr domain.

Spain online gambling regulation

The spanish gambling act nationalized regulation of the online gaming industry in spain. It created uniform framework between all regions of the country.

Online poker, casinos and sports betting are regulated by a central authority. The tax rate is 25 percent. This is more reasonable than the 44 percent demanded in neighboring france, but it is still historically high compared to most other countries.

In addition to the high tax rate, online poker players receive a poor deal. The tax rate forces spain’s regulated online poker companies to charge a higher rake than sites in other countries. Another issue is that spanish online poker does not share liquidity with other countries. All spain poker sites are ring-fenced within the country.

Pokerstars.Es is the largest poker site in spain. Other spanish operators include 888, playtech, bwin.Party and boss media. Licensed sites in spain will use the .Es domain extension.

Italy online gambling regulation

Italy is another european country that strictly regulates its online gambling industry. Italy originally tried to block and blacklist companies from other EU nations that accepted italian players. The EU commission tossed out the blacklist and demanded italy open its country to all companies licensed in the european union.

Amendments to the italian online gambling laws were made in 2009. The new regulations went live in 2010. This permitted companies outside italy to receive an interactive gaming license. Games included poker, casinos and sports betting.

The first stage of online poker only permitted tournaments. This hurt popularity and drove players to underground sites. Cash games were later added to the available list of games. Licensed italian poker sites are ring-fenced, meaning these platforms do not have access to player pools outside of italy.

The tax rate is 20 percent in italy. This is lower than other ring-fenced countries, but still higher than most jurisdictions.

Pokerstars is the largest poker site in italy. Other interactive gaming providers that hold an italian license include playtech, microgame, boss media and bwin.Party.

Online gambling regulation in the united states

Online poker and casino games are legal in three states. Delaware, nevada and new jersey each take a unique approach to its interactive gaming industry.

There are many similarities between the three states. Each requires players to be at least 21 years of age. Geolocation software pinpoints the device being used to log into the site. This ensures that players outside the jurisdiction cannot gain access. Each state regulates and taxes the activity.

There are also several differences. The tax rates differ between the states. Delaware uses the state lottery as the hub of the gaming. The other two states license outside companies. The games are also different between the jurisdictions.

Nevada online poker and sports betting

Nevada was the first state to legalize and regulate online gambling. It all started with online sports betting in 2010. Mobile apps and websites are permitted to accept wagers from anyone 21 years of age or older in nevada at the time of initiating the action. CG technologies, leroy’s (now william hill) and station casinos were all early entrants into that market.

Online poker was the next step for nevada’s online gaming industry. It started on april 30, 2013 with the launch of ultimate poker. WSOP.Com entered the market on september 17, 2013.

Real gaming entered the nevada online poker market in february 2014. Ultimate poker shuttered in november 2014. Real gaming struggled to draw a single game most hours of the day and folded in august 2016. WSOP.Com now has a monopoly in nevada.

Delaware and nevada entered into a poker liquidity sharing agreement in february 2014. In march 2015, this went live. WSOP.Com is the nevada platform for this network. It connects to the delaware lottery’s poker network. New jersey joined this network in may 2018.

Online poker and sports betting are the only two statewide forms of regulated online gaming. Both are available over the internet and on mobile devices. Casinos may offer mobile casino games but only within the boundaries of their property.

The nevada gaming control board regulates online poker and sports betting in nevada. It is the same gaming regulator that oversees nevada’s bricks-and-mortar casinos. Nevada’s online poker and sports betting industry pays a tax rate of 6.75 percent.

Delaware online poker and casinos

Delaware was the second state to launch regulated online gaming. Casino games went live on november 1, 2013. The state’s online poker network launched the following week.

The delaware lottery regulates its online gaming industry. There are three skins on the platform: delaware park, dover downs and harrington raceway. All three are nearly identical. 888 provides the software for delaware’s interactive lottery.

In addition to online poker, casino games are permitted. This includes slots, video poker and house-banked table games. The only two table games spread in delaware at this time are blackjack and roulette. The casino software is limited in its game selection. Online and mobile apps are permitted as platforms. There is one video poker game and about a dozen slot titles bricks-and-mortar casino players will not recognize.

The tax rate for delaware’s online gaming industry is effectively 100 percent due to its inability to generate more than $3 million in annual revenue. That rate lowers to 45 percent if the industry manages to break the $3 million annual threshold.

New jersey online poker and casinos

New jersey was the third state to enter the US regulated online gaming market. It permits online poker and casino games.

Atlantic city casinos are permitted to offer up to five brands on each bricks-and-mortar license. All new jersey casinos partnered with software providers to power poker networks and casino platforms.

Borgata and party poker offer one poker network. WSOP.Com and 888 paired for another one. Pokerstars launched in 2016 with resorts as its atlantic city partner.

There are numerous casino brands in the new jersey online casino market. These include harrah’s, caesars, 888, tropicana, virgin, mohegan sun, resorts, golden nugget, betfair, borgata and party.

Most platforms offer a unique aspect in terms of game variety. Most offer dozens of slot titles, multiple video poker games, blackjack, roulette, and a number of house-banked card games. Websites and mobile apps are acceptable platforms for new jersey online gaming.

The new jersey division of gaming enforcement regulates the state’s interactive gaming industry. This is the same regulator that licenses atlantic city’s eight casinos. The tax rate in new jersey is 15 percent plus 2.5 percent to the state’s casino reinvestment development authority.

US federal law regarding online gambling

Gambling law in the united states is an incredibly complicated matter, thanks in part to the awkward intersection of state and federal law on the issue.

Below are some of the key federal laws that are often invoked in discussions related to online gambling; click on any to learn more about the law:

U.S. Online gambling sites, laws, & FAQ

First and foremost: you can legally gamble online in the USA. Gambling laws are constantly changing on a state-by-state basis, but here is what you need to remember: while running your own casino, sportsbook, or poker room inside the united states is not legal, individual U.S. Residents will not be prosecuted for making online bets. Most importantly, all of gambleonline’s recommended casinos are licensed, safe and secure.

In this guide, we have compiled everything you need to know about online gambling for real money in the USA. Readers will learn about US gambling laws, see an FAQ with common questions answered, and view a timeline of online gambling laws in the USA.

2020’s best online gambling sites for US players

Gambleonline.Co’s US online gambling informational quick menu:

• Best online USA casinos: many sites specialize one aspect of online gambling; casino, sports betting or poker, but what is the best online gambling site that offers all three types of online gambling?


• Is online gambling legal in the US? Online gambling legislation can be confusing, but we cover that in this section.


• State-by-state gambling laws: we provide in-depth information on the states where gambling is legal and illegal in the US for all 50 states.


• Online gambling USA FAQ: we answer frequently asked questions about the US online gambling industry.


• US online gambling history: A quick review of the history of online gambling in the united states.


• Sources: A trusted list of US online gambling resources we used to research for this page.

Best online USA casinos

• Bovada — with a great offering of table games, live dealers, sports betting, and poker, bovada is our top recommended all-in-one gambling site.


• Café casino — cafe features a 500%, $5000 welcome bonus for new players and every casino game in instant play form.


• Betonline – betonline offers online slots, poker, esports, and live in-play sports betting, all with a $1000 welcome bonus.


• Planet7 – planet 7 casino has fast payouts with bitcoin, free spins, VIP promos, progressive bonuses, and all the casino games you want.


• Slots.Lv — slots LV gives players a choice of casino bonuses between $1000, 200% welcome bonus and a $1500, 300% bitcoin bonus, along with slots tournaments, table games, and live dealers.

The majority of these casinos accept players from all states, though some state-by-state restrictions apply. Click on the links below to continue reading for specific state-based recommendations for each site. As you can see, you’ll find plenty of good online casinos that accept US players. It’s not quite as easy to find a reliable US online casino that has sports betting and a poker room, though.

State-by-state online gambling laws

A growing number of US states have regulated online gambling. Delaware, nevada, and new jersey were quick to legalize and license sites for online betting in the USA, and were the first states where gambling is legal. Pennsylvania came later, while california and other states dithered over the process. Most are waiting to see whether the US department of justice will ban online gambling. But even states like texas allow for legal sweepstakes casino like chumba casino, so the picture is complicated.

Looking for more information about online gambling in your state? Click on your state below to get an overview of its gambling laws and sites that allow real money gambling from its residents, or see our recommended casino for each state on the right.

State laws	recommended casino
alabama	bovada
alaska	bovada
arizona	bovada
arkansas	bovada
california	bovada
colorado	bovada
connecticut	bovada
delaware	café casino
florida	bovada
georgia	bovada
hawaii	bovada
idaho	bovada
illinois	bovada
indiana	bovada
iowa	bovada
kansas	bovada
kentucky	bovada
louisiana	bovada
maine	bovada
maryland	betonline
massachusetts	bovada
michigan	bovada
minnesota	bovada
mississippi	bovada
missouri	bovada
montana	bovada
nebraska	bovada
nevada	café casino
new hampshire	bovada
new jersey	betonline
new mexico	bovada
new york	bovada
north carolina	bovada
north dakota	bovada
ohio	bovada
oklahoma	bovada
oregon	bovada
pennsylvania	bovada
rhode island	bovada
south carolina	bovada
south dakota	bovada
tennessee	bovada
texas	bovada
utah	bovada
vermont	bovada
virginia	bovada
washington	bovada
west virginia	bovada
wisconsin	bovada
wyoming	bovada

US legislators continue to fight over whether to ban or regulate online gambling. Some states have passed laws to make online gambling illegal. If you are concerned about the legality of online poker, online slots, or table games in your region, read our state reviews.

Gamble online works hard to let you know the most up-to-date and recent information on the states where gambling is legal, and which states are working towards the legalization of online gambling in the USA.

ONLINE GAMBLING USA FAQ

History of online gambling in the united states

September 13th, 1961 | federal wire act passed
president john F. Kennedy signed into law the federal wire act of 1961, which was intended to target illegal bookies. However, the US government has (incorrectly) tried to say this law applies to online gambling as well.

October 28, 1992 | PASPA becomes law

President george H.W. Bush signed into law the professional and amateur sports protection act of 1992 (PASPA), a sports betting ban.

October 13th, 2006 | UIGEA becomes law

George W. Bush signs into law the unlawful internet gambling enforcement act (UIGEA). UIGEA makes it illegal for banks or credit card companies to process any online financial transactions for the purpose of internet gambling.

Friday, april 15th, 2011 | black friday rocks US online poker

Dubbed black friday, the FBI and department of justice seized major gambling sites’ domains and indicted 11 executives with money laundering, fraud, and violating the UIGEA.

December 23rd, 2011 | US justice department reverses wire act opinion

The US department of justice reversed their opinion of the wire act stating that the wire act only applied to online sports betting. Online poker, fantasy sports betting, and real money casino games are deemed legal.

June 28th, 2012 | delaware legalizes online gambling

Delaware passed the delaware gambling competitiveness act to become the first US state to legalize online gambling.

February 22nd, 2013 | nevada legalizes online gambling

Nevada’s governor brian sandoval signed an online gambling bill, legalizing online poker.

November 26th, 2013 | delaware legalizes online gambling

Online gambling became legal in new jersey on this day making NJ the third US state to legalize gambling online. Gov. Chris christie signed into law online casinos and poker sites.

October 26th, 2017 | pennsylvania legalizes online gambling

The pennsylvania senate passed a bill to legalize online casino games, online poker, online sports betting and daily fantasy sports. PA became the fourth state to legalize online gambling.

May 14th, 2018 | supreme court repeals PASPA

The united states supreme court ruled to repeal PASPA.

January 23, 2019 | US justice department reverses wire act decision

The US department of justice reversed its december 23, 2011 opinion on online gambling and the wire act. Deputy attorney general rod rosenstein told states and gaming companies to comply by june 14, 2019. New hampshire and new jersey sued the DOJ.

March 29, 2019 | illinois legalizes sports betting

Illinois legalized sports betting with the “sports wagering act”.

May 6, 2019| montana legalizes sports betting

Montana legalized sports betting. Gov. Steve bullock’s veto failed to override the house and senate votes.

June 4, 2019 | tennessee legalizes sports betting

Tennessee legalized sports betting with the “tennessee sports gaming act”.

June 12, 2019 | new hampshire legalizes sports betting

New hampshire legalized sports betting when governor chris sununu signed the bill into law.

July 26, 2019 | north carolina legalizes sports betting

North carolina legalized sports betting on tribal casino lands with gov. Roy cooper’s signature.

August 27, 2019 | oregon legalizes sports betting

Oregon became the 11th state outside of nevada to accept a legal single-game sports bets.

August 29, 2019 | west virginia legalizes sports betting

West virginia legalized sports betting and online wagering. Draftkings and fanduel launch sportsbooks.

September 23, 2019 | senate pushes forward on federal sports betting bill

Senator mitt romney and senator chuck schumer are reportedly working to reintroduce a federal sports betting bill

November 5, 2019 | colorado voters approve legal sports betting

Colorado becomes the 18th state to officially legalize sports betting since may of 2018

Australian online gambling laws

Tue, mar 15, 2:43pm by ethan anderson

Last updated sat, feb 8, 1:08am

Australian online gambling laws and policy in australia has traditionally been the responsibility of the states, rather than the commonwealth. State and territory governments regulate and provide gambling services and rely heavily on the ensuing revenue. Recent developments have seen the commonwealth take a more active role in this area.

The rapid adoption of new communications technologies by gambling industries has attracted their interest, as this is an area which falls within its constitutional responsibilities. The development of online gambling has significant implications for regulatory mechanisms, revenue collection and community welfare.

This has promoted the federal government to pass legislation that stops australian internet gambling sites from providing services to australians, but it doesn’t make it illegal for australians to gamble online.

The interactive gambling act

In 2001, the interactive gambling act (IGA) was enforced with an eye towards curbing the perceived negative impacts of online gambling in australia. Technical loopholes arose and australia had no choice but to make changes to the law to protect those at risk of online gambling. Operators were the target of the act.

They were unable to advertise “real money” interactive online gambling to australian residents. Australians were and still are, free to play online casinos located and licensed outside the country. In addition, australian-based companies could offer gambling services to players abroad. This is as long as it wasn’t in a so-called “designated country”.

The IGA specified that as long as the operator was unaware, with due diligence, that they were offering their games to aussie residents, they would be cleared of wrongdoing. This led to operators putting alerts, warnings and address checks in place before sign up.

A number of loopholes over the following decade, including punters using their mobile phone to place their wager during a live event caused the bill to be revived. The interactive gambling amendment bill 2016 was passed, which prohibited online casino gaming, even if the casino is legally licensed by a reputable offshore gambling jurisdiction.

Australian players won’t be penalised when gambling at unlicensed casino sites though. Online poker was also recently deemed illegal in australia. Local players found themselves in the same boat as their american counterparts.

Sports betting and lotteries remain legal, with small amendments put in place to penalised “click-to-call” betting and unlicensed offshore betting companies offering bets to australians.

Is online gambling legal in australia?

Parts of the interactive gambling act show that not all kinds of web-based gambling operations are forbidden. The regulation of gambling operations is executed at two levels. First, there is the federal government that regulates the industry. The second level is gambling regulation by the state and territory authorities.

Online slot machines are legal for local players to access and have a large market in australia. Poker is one of the most popular games at australian casinos, but operating interactive poker websites in australia is forbidden.

Bingo is legal in australia and there are casinos that offer computer simulated bingo games. Some online lotteries are banned in australia, but players are able to play keno and buy local lotto tickets.

Is gambling legislated federally or by the state/territory?

Gambling laws are legislated federally and enforced and legislated locally, by and large. The ACT racing and gambling commission is an independent statutory authority responsible for controlling and regulating all gaming, racing and betting activities in the ACT.

The NSW department of gaming and racing is responsible for the proper conduct and balanced development of gaming, racing, liquor and charity industries in NSW. The racing and gaming authority administers gambling legislation in the NT. The NT gaming machine commission is responsible for licensing gaming machines.

The queensland office of gaming regulation regulates gaming, casinos, art unions, lotteries and keno in queensland. The gaming supervisory authority is responsible for ensuring that there is effective supervision of the operations of casino and gaming licensees in south australia. It is the function of the office of the liquor and gaming commissioner to provide the supervision of licensees.

The tasmanian gaming commission regulates and controls gaming in tasmania

The victorian casino and gaming authority regulates and monitors victoria’s gambling activities.

The office of racing, gaming and liquor administers WA legislation dealing with these areas and carries out many of the operational functions of the gaming commission. This includes the provision of licensing, inspection and audit functions in respect of both casino and permitted gaming services.

Do these gambling laws change if you are playing on your mobile?

These laws apply to playing casino games or sports betting on your mobile. There are mobile-compatible gambling sites based board that you can access through web browsers.

Are there different gambling laws for sports betting and casino games?

There are thousands of sports betting retail outlets in australia that provide local players with the opportunity to bet. There are a number of certified australian-owned bookies that offer local customers the chance to try their luck in sports, racing and other events offered by these providers.

These are all deemed permissible, both online and on mobile devices. Online slot machines are legal for local players to access and have a large market in australia.

Are your winnings taxable in australia?

In australia, it is the gambling operators that are charged tax, not the players. The amount of tax the operators pay depends on the type of game. Also, on the location of the poker machines or casinos.

There is no tax to pay for online australian players either, despite a few online australian casinos in operation.

The only fees or charges a player might encounter when playing an online casino could be fees to withdraw or deposit money into international casino sites or when converting the australians dollar into the website’s preferred currency.

What is the best poker platform for online play in australian?

Intertops is our recommended online poker room for australians.

Way back in 1996, intertops started taking bets on the internet. As you’d expect from a company that has over 20 years in the online betting industry they have a reputation second to none when it comes to facilitating quick and secure deposit and withdrawal options.

What exactly does the IGA do?

The IGA does not make it an offence for individual australians to gamble online. Instead, it targets the companies that provide online poker, and makes it illegal to provide web-based gambling services to customers in australia. Companies both domestic and foreign are prohibited from marketing or providing online poker to australians.

While that was enough to keep australian firms from trying to start internet poker sites, it did little to discourage most foreign operators from staying out of the market. Sites from around the world have offered poker games to australians without interruption and with no real push back from the australian government since the IGA was passed. Since australian law doesn’t make it illegal for players to play poker on the web, millions of players across the country have still been able to play poker (or other casino games) online each year with foreign organisations based in europe, the caribbean and elsewhere.

What recent legal developments affect the situation?

In recent years, several developments have made it seem as though the online poker situation in australia might go through some changes – though it now appears more likely that the status quo will remain intact for some time to come.

First, in an effort to prevent australians from so easily playing on foreign sites, some legislators proposed that australia pass a law similar to the UIGEA laws in the united states. These laws would target banks, making it illegal for them to process online gambling transactions. However, these efforts were quickly defeated, as banks pointed out that given the fully legal nature of many online gambling transactions in australia (such as those for lotteries and at sports betting sites), it would be too difficult to implement any such scheme.

More recently, a review of the IGA suggested in order to stop the flow of money out of australia, australian companies should be able to receive licenses to operate their own online poker rooms in the country. This would give australians the option of playing on locally regulated and licensed sites. However, it appears gambling expansion and trials of online poker licensing does not have the political support to be given the go ahead any time soon.

So, let's see, what we have: learn about US legal gambling and legal US online gambling sites in our guide to state gambling options and the history of US internet gambling. At internet casino legal