More And More States In The USA Legalizing Online Betting
If you are looking to bet online in the United States, it is important to understand the legal landscape of sports betting and other forms of gambling.
Author:Alberto ThompsonReviewer:Gordon DickersonFeb 15, 2023174 Shares57.8K Views
If you are looking to bet online in the United States, it is important to understand the legal landscape of sports betting and other forms of gambling. Each US state has its own laws and regulations on online betting and gaming, making it hard for gamblers who live in or plan to visit them. This blog post will provide an overview of the current legal status of online betting within each US state so you can make informed decisions when placing wagers or having a bit of fun with your favorite casino games. Read on to get a better understanding of which states allow online gambling activities and what restrictions may be in place!
Legal online betting has gained significant traction in the US
In recent years, legal online betting has gained significant traction in the US. Starting with legal online horse racing betting implemented across most states, some states have now gone further and legalized additional forms of legal online gambling including various casino games, poker, daily fantasy sports and lotteries. This process began back in 2011 when the US Department of Justice issued a legal opinion changing the way the federal government interprets the already existing Wire Act of 1961, which only applied to sports betting. This landmark decision opened doors for state governments to then move forward with legalizing additional forms of legal online gaming on their own terms. In 2011, New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware were some of the first to launch legal online casino games, poker and other legal sports betting platforms, provided they fulfill all legal requirements like acquiring the proper license. This trend continued in Pennsylvania in 2017 and West Virginia adopted soon after. Just recently in 2021, Michigan's legal online gambling market also launched with legal sports betting platforms along with legal online poker as well as gambling. The legal sports betting landscape changed drastically due to a 2018 Supreme Court decision that removed federal prohibitions on legal sports betting nationwide; this led to legal sports betting taking off in states such as Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey, Mississippi and Pennsylvania among others. In 2019 however, the Department of Justice sought to change things once again with its pre-2011 interpretation of the Wire Act which created complications for certain players dealing with legal online betting processes.
The Role Of Federal And State Laws
While legal online betting is on the rise in the US, there are both federal and state laws that need to be taken into consideration when discussing sports betting and other legal forms of gambling. Federal laws set the overall picture nationwide, preventing any specific state from making their own regulations regarding legal gambling. Examples of such federal laws include PASPA (The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act), UIGEA (The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006) and The Wire Act (The Interstate Wire Act of 1961). Each one has a distinct purpose but all work together to ensure legal online betting is as safe and secure as possible. However, individual states have legal authority to decide how to regulate anything related to gambling and betting that isn't already covered by federal gambling laws. This is why, for example, when the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was in effect, state governments were unable to legalize and regulate legal online betting on sports. Today, however, after PASPAwas removed, states are now able to pass their own laws controlling legal sports betting within their borders. States across the US like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and others have since legalized it and implemented taxes as a way of supplementing an extra stream of income. On the contrary, other states haven't adopted legal online betting yet due to state-level self-restriction with no federal legal barrier stopping them from passing legislation.
Where is Sports Betting Legal in the US?
Following the Supreme Court's historical ruling to strike down PASPA in its entirety in May of 2018, individual states now have legal authority to alter their laws and legalize sports betting. Legislatures across three dozen states have already introduced bills to make legal online betting a reality, and several states have already passed laws allowing for legal betting. With legal sportsbooks either already operating or soon to come, more and more legal wagering opportunities are becoming available for citizens all over the country. Currently, a total of 24 states have approved sports betting including Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida (although there is ongoing litigation), Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas , Louisiana , Maine , Maryland , Massachusetts , Michigan , Mississippi , Montana , Nebraska , Nevada , New Hampshire , New Jersey , New Mexico and New York. Additionally, North Carolina, North Dakota Ohio and Oregon have also legalized sports betting along with Pennsylvania. Rhode Island and South Dakota have also joined the list of sports betting friendly states.
Where is Online Gambling Legal in the US?
The Federal Wire Act of 1961had previously been interpreted as applying to all forms of online gambling, prohibiting states from legalizing and regulating the activity. This changed in 2011 when the Department of Justice issued a memorandum clarifying their stance on the Wire Act, stating that it only applies to sports betting. This revised interpretation was prompted by lottery officials in New York and Illinois who submitted a request for guidance on their ability to sell online lottery tickets. The updated outlook from the Justice Department provided not only opportunities for online lotteries, but all forms of regulated online gambling. Currently, online casino games, online poker or both are legal in Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. While sports betting was historically limited to certain physical locations such as casinos and sportsbooks, now with the power of the internet anyone can access these activities from anywhere in an eligible state. This opens up the potential for players new to gaming or those looking for something different to jump right into this growing arena with the added security of knowing their Protections are legislated by their government.
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Where Is Online Horse Race Betting, Daily Fantasy Sports And Online Lotteries Is Legal In The US ?
Depending on the state you reside in, exciting betting options such as online horse racing betting, daily fantasy sports contests and legal online lotteries may be just a few clicks away. Currently, 18 states allow for some form of legal online horse racing betting, including Colorado, Maryland and Virginia. Daily fantasy sports are allowed in 28 states plus Washington D.C., most notably California, Massachusetts and West Virginia. As for legal online lotteries, 15 states have either authorized or will soon authorize it – Alaska, Illinois and Pennsylvania being some of the latest additions to this list. It is important to note state laws are always changing so make sure to check your local regulations before engaging in any of these activities.
Conclusion
With more and more states in the USA legalizing online betting, it has gained significant traction in the US. The role of federal and state laws is important to consider when thinking about gambling online. Different types of gambling are legal in different parts of the United States. It is important to know where sports betting, horse race betting, daily fantasy sports, and online lotteries are legal before participating. Do your research and Gamble responsibly!
Alberto Thompson
Author
Alberto Thompson is an acclaimed journalist, sports enthusiast, and economics aficionado renowned for his expertise and trustworthiness. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Economics from Columbia University, Alberto brings over 15 years of media experience to his work, delivering insights that are both deep and accurate.
Outside of his professional pursuits, Alberto enjoys exploring the outdoors, indulging in sports, and immersing himself in literature. His dedication to providing informed perspectives and fostering meaningful discourse underscores his passion for journalism, sports, and economics. Alberto Thompson continues to make a significant impact in these fields, leaving an indelible mark through his commitment and expertise.
Gordon Dickerson
Reviewer
Gordon Dickerson, a visionary in Crypto, NFT, and Web3, brings over 10 years of expertise in blockchain technology.
With a Bachelor's in Computer Science from MIT and a Master's from Stanford, Gordon's strategic leadership has been instrumental in shaping global blockchain adoption. His commitment to inclusivity fosters a diverse ecosystem.
In his spare time, Gordon enjoys gourmet cooking, cycling, stargazing as an amateur astronomer, and exploring non-fiction literature.
His blend of expertise, credibility, and genuine passion for innovation makes him a trusted authority in decentralized technologies, driving impactful change with a personal touch.
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