Gambling Legislation within the US
The activity of gambling in the United States is legal on federal levels. Each state has the responsibility or right to regulate it within state borders and in the digital sphere.
Each state was given the right to regulate sports betting within its borders after the Supreme Court nullified the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) on 14 May 2018.
In other words, within the United States, there are state-specific gambling laws that regulate and restrict different types of gambling. When gambling online at WV online casinos, you must always check with your state’s local gambling laws before proceeding with any online gambling activity.
Also, take note that within the United States, there are no federal gambling laws that prohibit offshore sites from accepting online bets from US-based customers. Two specific Acts in the United States pertain to gambling in the US.
Federal Wire Act 1961
The Federal Wire Act of 1961 was signed into law by President John F. Kennedy to stamp out organised crime. The Act is not intended to focus on individual gamblers but rather on illegal gambling websites. This federal statute makes it illegal to pass gambling information or gambling instructions across US states.
This law is the subject of many current court cases as it has not addressed all other gambling forms, and it’s currently under reconsideration. Federal law allows gambling, but specific restrictions refer to interstate and online gambling. Each US state has the authority to prohibit or regulate gambling and online gambling within its borders.
Utah and Hawaii are the only states that prohibit all forms of gambling within state lines. All other US states allow gambling in some form.
Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act 2006
This Act is not directed at banning online gambling. Instead, it pertains to outlawing financial transactions between offshore gambling service providers and US citizens. The UIGEA 2006 led to many offshore online gambling operators closing their doors to US customers.
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 prohibits a person (or persons) from accepting credit for betting, other forms of payment, electronic funds transfers, or checks from a financial institution to settle unlawful gambling debts.
US States Allowing Online Gambling
There are states in the US that allow gambling. These states allow land-based gambling and online gambling within their borders. According to federal law, each state regulates gambling as it sees fit. Many states do allow gambling on fantasy sports. States include Michigan, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Nevada, and West Virginia.
Below is a detailed table:
| US State | Online | Sports Betting |
| Alabama | No | No |
| Alaska | No | No |
| American Samoa | No | No |
| Arizona | No | Yes |
| Arkansas | No | No |
| California | Yes | No |
| Colorado | No | Yes |
| Connecticut | No | No |
| Delaware | Yes | Yes |
| Washington DC | No | Yes |
| Florida | Yes | Yes |
| Georgia | No | No |
| Guam | No | No |
| Hawaii | No | No |
| Idaho | No | No |
| Illinois | Yes | Yes |
| Indiana | Yes | Yes |
| Iowa | Yes | Yes |
| Kansas | No | No |
| Kentucky | No | No |
| Louisiana | No | No |
| Maine | No | No |
| Maryland | No | Yes |
| Massachusetts | No | No |
| Michigan | Yes | Yes |
| Minnesota | No | No |
| Mississippi | No | Yes |
| Missouri | No | No |
| Montana | No | Yes |
| Nebraska | No | No |
| Nevada | Yes | Yes |
| New Hampshire | Yes | Yes |
| New Jersey | Yes | Yes |
| New Mexico | No | Yes |
| New York | No | Yes |
| North Carolina | No | Yes |
| North Dakota | No | No |
| Northern Mariana Islands | No | No |
| Ohio | No | No |
| Oklahoma | No | No |
| Oregon | No | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | Yes |
| Puerto Rico | No | Yes |
| Rhode Island | Yes | Yes |
| South Carolina | No | No |
| South Dakota | No | No |
| Tennessee | No | Yes |
| Texas | No | No |
| Utah | No | No |
| Vermont | No | No |
| Virginia | No | Yes |
| US Virgin Islands | No | No |
| Washington | No | Yes |
| West Virginia | Yes | Yes |
| Wisconsin | No | No |
| Wyoming | No | No |
The introduction of new laws and amendment of standing laws to keep up with technology advances that drives online casinos and betting sites is slow and lumbering, but the US Federal and state legislatures are moving forward.
Watch this space in about a year’s time to see if anything has changed. Don’t bet on it.
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