Is Online Sports Gambling Legal In Us

1. There is no U.S. Federal law against gambling online There is no U.S. Federal law against gambling online, as a player. At the federal level, gambling online is perfectly legal, because of the lack of a law against it. Attorney Catherine Hanaway admitted in a House hearing that just placing wagers online doesn't violate federal law.
2. Bracket pools, office sports pools, and fantasy sports have never been authorized as gambling activities in Washington State and are illegal.

Legal online sports gambling is increasing throughout the United States. Several states have already legalized sports betting, while many others have begun discussions on how sports betting bills will benefit their state and can be passed.

The state most synonymous with gambling in the US, Nevada was actually exempted from PAPSA. That means online sports betting has been legal in the state for quite some time. However, you still have.

Locate your state below to see what the current legal status is and check out VegasInsider's list of online sportsbooks in each state to find reviews and get started with online sports wagering.

In a bold move, the US Supreme Court did away with the ban on legal sports betting in 2018. Since then, US states have been quick to move forward with bills and legislation allowing legal sports betting to operate on various platforms.

The first state to legalize sports betting since 2018 was Delaware, and others have quickly followed. Almost half the American states allow legal sports betting at brick and mortar establishments, although online sports betting is not as prevalent as yet.

As the concept of legal sports betting becomes more widespread, we anticipate more and more states to offer the best sports betting options through retail sportsbooks or sports betting apps.

To get the freshest US sports betting news and learn about recent developments, you can also check out our weekly industry report from December 15th : Weekly Sports Betting News

States With Legal Online Sports Betting

Wondering how to place an online sports bet now that it's legal where you live? Just click on your State for our expert review about the best betting sites and sports betting apps available near you!

Updated on :

The best us sportsbooks have great welcome offers to get you started with you online sports bet

Rank	Sportsbooks	Welcome Offer	Legal States	Bet Now
1.	FanDuel Visit Review	Risk-Free Bet up to $1,000 T&C’s Apply, 21+	Available in CO, IL, IN, NJ, PA, TN, WV
2.	BetMGM Visit Review	Risk-Free Bet up to $500 T&C’s Apply, 21+	Available in CO, IN, NJ, NV, TN, WV
3.	WynnBet Visit Review	Up To A $500 Risk-Free Bet T&C’s Apply, 21+, Only in NJ	Available in NJ

States With Sports Betting in Retail Only

Online sports betting may not be available yet in theses states but there are other options when it comes to betting on your favorite sports or teams. Read our full coverage of all available sports betting options in your home state!

States With Legalized Sports Betting Launching Soon

Come find out what's currently being discussed in your State and wether legal sports betting or even online sports betting could be coming soon to you. Click on your State for all the information you're looking for!

• Louisiana
• South Dakota

States Discussing Legal Sports Betting

Most of theses states are still in the first stages of considering legal sports betting. But situations vary and you may be in for a surprise when it comes to your own state's status about online sports betting.

• Arizona
• Connecticut
• Oklahoma

States With No Meaningful Sports Betting Legislation

At the moment these states seem pretty far away from any meaningful legislation towards online sports betting. We've still gathered all interesting information available about sports betting over there.

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Idaho
• North Dakota
• Texas
• Utah
• Wisconsin

Is Sports Betting Not Available in Your State? Try Daily Fantasy Sports

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is a unique new way to bet on your favorite sports teams and players. If your interested in playing DFS, then read our Monkey Knife Fight review. Instead of playing against other players, you are playing against the MKF house.

Daily fantasy sports are available in some US states where online sports betting is not yet legal. This is because they are considered games of skill and not games of chance; therefore, they don’t fall under the gambling umbrella.

Daily fantasy games are a shortened version of the real thing, with competing teams handpicked by the DFS players. Contests can run for just one day or as long as a week. Traditional fantasy sports run for an entire season.

DFS is a fantastic alternative to legal sports betting. The fast pace and the excitement DFS generates makes it a growing market among US sports fans.

Rank	Daily Fantasy Sports	Welcome Offer	Claim Offer
1.	Monkey Knife Fight Visit Review	100% Match up to $50 - Code: BONUSMAX T&C’s Apply, 21+
2.	DraftKings DFS Visit Review	Deposit Bonus up to $500 T&C’s Apply, 21+

How To Bet On Sports In The US

Is Online Sports Gambling Legal In Indiana

Now that legal sports betting is taking off in the US, an increasing number of online sportsbooks are available with great offers and betting markets. If you want to experience online sports betting, the steps below can help you get started.

What Are The Laws In Your State?

Before you place your first bet, you need to establish that online sports betting is indeed legal in your state. Some states have legalized betting at a retail sportsbook but don't allow online betting. Others only have online options, and some have yet to make it a legal activity.

Choose Your Sportsbook

With legal sports betting still a growing area in the US, you may not have too many sportsbook options. Do some research as to which are the best sports betting sites, and then check each one individually, paying attention to the following:

Welcome bonuses

Payment options

Range of sports available

Terms and conditions

Register With A Sportsbook

You may have to visit the physical casino where a sportsbook is based, as some states don’t allow online registration. In other states, you can register online by completing a form with personal details. The sportsbook may request some documents to verify your identity, but this is a standard procedure for legal sports betting.

Fund Your Account

Choose from the options available to find your sportsbook account. Deposits are usually immediate, whether you pay by debit card, e-wallet, or prepaid card. Ensure that you activate any promotions or deposit bonuses by entering a promo code when requested.

Place Your First Bet

Select a sport and match from the list, and locate your betting slip. This slip is usually clearly displayed on the right-hand side of the screen. Enter your bet and follow any prompts that appear. Betting is a straightforward process, but don’t finalize your bet until you’ve checked the slip to ensure that all details are accurate. Submit your wager, and wait in anticipation to see if you're a winner!

Available Bet Types

The best sports betting sites have a variety of bet types. From straightforward moneyline bets to multi-selection accumulators, online sportsbooks cater to all levels of bettors. Here are some of the popular bets you may encounter at sportsbooks and on sports betting apps.

Moneyline

In a moneyline bet, you bet on a team to win the game outright. Although these are very straightforward bets, they aren’t always lucrative unless you bet on the underdog. Backing the favorite to win rarely gives you good odds.

Point Spread

Point spread wagering is standard in basketball and football. The sportsbook allocates either a negative or positive number to each team. This number indicates the number of points that must be subtracted from or added to the final score. The favorite in a match will have a negative number.

In a point spread bet, the winner or loser doesn’t matter. The important thing is that they cover the point spread. The favorite must win by the number of points allocated, whereas the underdog must win outright or lose by less than the number of points allocated.

Here’s an example. Team A is the underdog with a point spread of -3.5, and Team B has a point spread of +3.5. For team A to win the bet, it must win by 4 points or more. To win a bet on Team B, the team must either win outright or lose by 3 points or less.

Totals (Over/Under Bets)

A total bet is another straightforward wager. You are betting on whether both team’s combined score will be under or over the specified number. If the sportsbook sets the number at 50 and you believe that the total game score will be more than that, you bet over. Alternatively, you bet under if you feel that the teams won’t reach that combined total.

Parlays

Simply put, a parlay bet allows you to combine multiple bets on one slip. You can include different bet types and wager on various games, all on the one ticket. To win a parlay bet, all individual selections on the slip must win.

In-Play Bets

You place an in-play bet when a match or game is already underway. This type of betting is also called live betting. It allows you to wager when you feel the odds are more favorable in a game or more reflective of the state of play. Online sportsbooks often combine in-play betting with live streaming of matches.

Props

Props bets, or proposition bets, are smaller wagers placed on specifics within a game and don’t rely on a game’s outcome. They are popular in football betting, but we see prop bets more and more on the best sports betting sites.

You can wager on anything from the Most Valued Player to the time of the first touchdown in a game. These bets are more for entertainment and fun than the serious side of online sports betting.

Futures

As the name suggests, a futures bet is one on a game that’s taking place some time from when you place the wager. The NFL Super Bowl and NBA Finals are popular options for futures betting.

You would usually place a futures bet at the start of a season for the final game. To win the bet, the team you’re backing must make it through to the finals and then win.

Popular US Sports Betting Events

Legal sports betting in the US hasn’t been around long and has yet to reach some states. However, US bettors have embraced this activity and regularly wager at online sportsbooks or sports betting apps on various sports and tournaments. Some of the best sports betting is on these popular events.

• Super Bowl
• Kentucky Derby
• NBA Finals
• World Series baseball
• FIFA World Cup
• Stanley Cup Final (NHL)
• PGA Golf
• College Football Playoffs
• Rugby World Cup
• Triple Crown
• Major League Soccer (MLS)
• UEFA Champion's League

Where Is Sports Betting Legal In The US

Ever since Nevada made the initial move to legal sports betting, there has been a steady stream of states following suit, with many states keen to provide the best sports betting options. Some states are in the process of passing the necessary bills, while others are lagging a bit further behind and still deciding on the relevant structures for regulation.

It’s interesting to note that during 2019, a whopping $13bn passed through sportsbooks’ coffers. This turnover shows that the American public was more than ready for legal sports betting and have eagerly welcomed this pastime. Here’s a rundown of 20 of the states where legal sports betting is in the making.

Nevada Legal Sports Betting

Nevada has operated legal sports betting since 1949. It was one of the few states exempt from the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act implemented in 1992 to ban sports betting countrywide.

Sports betting is thriving in Nevada. Players can bet offline at one of the many casinos in the state or online at some of the best sports betting sites. Bettors must be within the state lines to wager at online sportsbooks.

Delaware Legal Sports Betting

After Nevada, Delaware was the second state to legalize sports betting, and it did so on June 5th, 2018. Before this, though, residents could still place 3-team parlays on NFL games. The reason was that some sports bets had been allowed before the implementation of PASPA.

Although online gambling is legal, Delaware does not yet allow online sports betting. Players must visit one of the three physical casinos in the state to wager on a sports match or team.

New Jersey Legal Sports Betting

New Jersey launched legal sports betting soon after Delaware, on June 11th, 2018. In the state, wagering is widely available at physical casinos, racetracks, and online at various sports betting apps.

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement regulates legal sports betting in New Jersey. Players must be within state lines to bet online, although they don’t have to reside in the state.

West Virginia Legal Sports Betting

West Virginia became the fifth US state to join the ranks offering legal sports betting. The activity was legalized in March 2018, with the first bets placed in August that same year. There are currently five casinos where you can wager offline on sports.

Online sports betting became legal in December 2018, with BetLucky.com. After four months, however, this app shut down due to a dispute with its technology provider. FanDuel and DraftKings stepped up and have been operating their online sportsbooks and sports betting apps in WV since 2019.

Pennsylvania Legal Sports Betting

After the Supreme Court dropped the federal ban on sports betting in 2018, Pennsylvania activated its 2017 law legalizing sports betting in the state. Retail sportsbooks were the first to open in November 2018, with online sportsbooks following about six months later.

SugarHouse was the first sports betting app in Pennsylvania. Not to be outdone, others like DraftKings and FanDuel quickly followed, and there are currently eight online sportsbooks available to bettors.

Rhode Island Legal Sports Betting

Joining the list of states with legal sports betting was Rhode Island in November 2018. Residents and visitors to the state can visit the two brick and mortar casinos in Rhode Island for the best sports betting on sports teams and matches.

In early 2019, online sports betting went live across the state. To register, bettors must present at one of the two Twin Rivers casinos to verify their identity. Once verification is complete, you can wager on the sports betting apps from the comfort of your own home.

Colorado Legal Sports Betting

After gaining approval for the bill allowing sports betting in November 2019, Colorado launched legal sports betting on May 1st, 2020. There are 33 casinos in the state, and each can apply for a license to operate a sportsbook. At present, over twenty have secured licenses for legal sports betting.

Online sportsbooks must partner with a physical casino to secure a license to offer online sports betting. There are already numerous sports betting apps live in the state for Coloradans to wager on, with a handful more waiting in the wings.

Iowa Legal Sports Betting

August 2019 saw the launch of both retail and online sportsbooks in Iowa. Iowa was the first state in the upper midwest to offer legal sports betting and the first in America to simultaneously launch both retail and online betting. All 19 casinos in the state have secured licenses to provide their best sports betting options.

To wager online in the state, bettors must first register at a physical sportsbook. Once registered, you can place bets on sports betting apps from anywhere in the state. By January 2021, bettors should be able to register online.

Illinois Legal Sports Betting

Legal sports betting in Illinois went live in March 2020. This was nine months after Governor Pritzker signed the capital bill that included legislation for legal sports betting. Residents of and visitors to Illinois who are over 21 and within state lines can wager on professional, collegiate, and international sports events.

Is Online Sports Gambling Legal In The Us

BetRivers was one of the first online sportsbooks to operate in Illinois. It opened to the public in June 2020, and other sports betting apps soon followed. There are now five in Illinois, including some of the best sports betting sites, such as DraftKings and FanDuel.

Montana Legal Sports Betting

Montana was one of the few states where PASPA didn’t restrict sports betting. Running sports betting in bars and taverns, albeit via a lottery system and not a sportsbook, remained legal.

Legal sports betting launched in Montana in March 2020 and the Montana Lottery oversees this process. You can choose to wager via the sports betting app from Sports Bet Montana or at one of 180 kiosks for legal sports betting located throughout the state.

Indiana Legal Sports Betting

Indiana was the 13th state to legalize sports betting, and it went live in September 2019. Fittingly, Governor Holcomb placed the very first sports bets. The industry has developed enormously, and fourteen gambling establishments now hold licenses to operate sportsbooks.

Online sports betting took off one month later in October 2019. DraftKings and BetRivers were the first of the best sports betting sites to launch in Indiana. Other online sportsbooks followed, and an estimate shows that 80% of all sports wagers in Indiana take place online or through sports betting apps.

Michigan Legal Sports Betting

Michigan welcomed the first legal sports bets at casinos in Detroit in March 2020. For a sportsbook to operate, it must have a land-based, physical partner. This partner can be one of the three commercial casinos in Michigan, or one of the twelve Indian tribes that operate 23 tribal casinos.

Online sports betting is yet to get going in Michigan. Although plenty of the best sports betting operators are ready to hit the ground running, they are likely to only get the green light in 2021.

New York Legal Sports Betting

New York first legalized sports betting in 2013; however, it couldn’t go live until after lifting the federal ban. Legal sports betting finally got underway in July 2019, at sportsbooks located in commercial and tribal casinos only.

For now, mobile and online sports betting isn’t an option in New York. Sports betting apps can launch in the state after lawmakers draft new laws to expand the reach of current legislation.

New Hampshire Legal Sports Betting

Legal sports betting started in New Hampshire at the end of 2019 and is still somewhat limited. DraftKings currently has a monopoly, and the only way to wager on sport in the state is through the DraftKings sports betting apps.

DraftKings has a firm grip on sports betting in New Hampshire, although the state Lottery intends to offer a sports betting option. We also expect multiple retail sports betting facilities to open in the future.

Tennessee Legal Sports Betting

Tennessee opened up to legal sports betting from the beginning of November 2020. It is the only state offering wagering through sports betting apps and online sportsbooks only. There is currently no option for retail outlets.

BetMGM and FanDuel were among the best sports betting operators to open in Tennessee. Other sportsbooks are waiting for the go-ahead to operate online, but there are no plans at this stage for any physical outlets for legal sports betting.

Virginia Legal Sports Betting

Sports betting became legal in Virginia in April 2020. Legal sports betting falls under the Virginia Lottery Board’s control, which anticipates going live in 2021. Initially, only online sportsbooks will operate; however, the Board has earmarked six cities to develop casino complexes in the future.

Twenty-five of the best sports betting operators have applied for licenses to operate their sportsbooks in Virginia. It’s possible that we won’t find out who they are until the Lottery Board announces the successful applicants.

Oregon Legal Sports Betting

Sports betting became legal in Oregon in August 2019 and is controlled by the Oregon Lottery. The following month, the first sportsbook for legal sports betting went live at Chinook Winds, a tribal gaming facility.

Oregon Lottery launched an online sports betting app called Scoreboard to facilitate sports wagering in the state. There are no other sports betting apps available in Oregon.

Maryland Legal Sports Betting

Maryland voters made it clear in a recent referendum that they want legal sports betting in the state. It’s now up to the lawmakers and regulators to develop the framework for sports betting and decide on the necessary rules.

There are currently no legal sports betting options in the state, apart from horse racing. This situation is likely to change in 2021, provided the legislature passes the sports betting bill. Once this happens, the governor can sign the legislation into law, and legal sports betting will become a reality.

South Dakota Legal Sports Betting

In November 2020, voters in South Dakota chose to allow legal sports betting, but only in Deadwood. Deadwood is a gaming town in the Black Hills region of South Dakota and home to most of the state’s casinos.

While lawmakers are pushing for legal sports betting to launch in 2021, it doesn’t allow for online sports betting at this stage. We’ll have to wait a while longer before sports betting apps and online sportsbooks are signed into law.

Louisiana Legal Sports Betting

In November 2020, Louisiana’s voters chose to legalize sports betting in the state. While it’s clear from the recent referendum that legal sports betting is very much in demand, it won’t happen overnight. If all goes well, you could see sportsbooks launching later in 2021.

Online sports betting may take longer to reach Louisiana. The recent vote didn’t include either online sportsbooks or sports betting apps, and lawmakers may only discuss it after finalizing legal sports betting.

Legal Sports Betting FAQ

What Is The Minimum Age For Online Sports Betting?

The minimum age for legal sports betting varies. Some states allow people 18 years and older to bet, while in others, bettors must be 21-years-old. You must check the laws of the state that you reside in, or are visiting, for the correct minimum age.

Which Of The Online Sportsbooks Should I Join?

You can join as many sportsbooks as you would like to. Do your research and choose those with the best sports betting options and payment methods you’re comfortable with.

How Much Money Should I Bet?

Online sportsbooks have minimum and maximum wager limits. You can wager as much or as little as you would like to, but the amount must be within the set limits.

Can I Download An App For Betting?

The best sports betting operators tend to have downloadable sports betting apps, usually for both iOS and Android devices. If not, then you can access online sports betting through your web browser on your device.

When Did Sports Betting Become Legal In The USA?

The Supreme Court overturned the law prohibiting sports betting in 2018. Since then, legal sports betting has become prominent in many states across America.

What Sports Can I Wager On?

There is a wide range of sports available at online sports betting sites, although each sportsbook is different. Find a sportsbook that offers the sport you want and register to place your bets.

Is Online Sports Betting Safe?

Betting online is perfectly safe as long as you do so with a legal, licensed sportsbook. Each sportsbook should be licensed and regulated by an appropriate authority, and you can find this information on the sportsbook’s website.

What Is In-Play Betting?

“In-play” or “live” bets in online sports betting are ones placed while a game is underway. You can watch the game unfold and place bets according to how the teams are performing.

Can I Register With More Than One Sportsbook?

Yes, you can. The number of online sportsbooks that you choose to register with is up to you. You might find better odds for some sports on other sports betting apps. For this reason, it can be beneficial to use different sportsbooks for different sports.

What Are Daily Fantasy Sports?

In daily fantasy sports, you select your team from an allocated pool of players and compete against other fantasy teams. Contests take place over a day or a week, but the timeframes are shorter than for classic fantasy games that unfold over a season.

History Of Sports Betting Legislation In The US

The Beginning

Like many countries, gambling in the United States of America has its roots in centuries-old history. It started with lotteries, which in the 17th and 18th centuries were excellent ways to raise funds. Among other things, these funds went towards developing schools and universities. Yale, Harvard, and Princeton all benefited from lottery funding.

Fast forward to the 19th century, and many people perceived gambling as linked to corruption. In 1860, authorities banned all forms of gambling and sports betting, apart from horse racing. In those days, horse racing was viewed differently to other sports betting types and was generally enjoyed by the elite society.

Horse racing experienced a boom in the latter part of the 19th century. This changed in 1910 when the gambling ban was extended to include lotteries. Although horse racing was still exempt, the stigma attached to gambling and sports betting resulted in many racetracks closing down.

The Middle

The gambling landscape changed again in the 1930s when funds were in short supply after the Great Depression. In Nevada, authorities lifted the ban on table games where players bet against the house, like poker and blackjack. One thing led to another and, in 1949, the state eventually legalized sports betting.

High taxes, organized crime, and various Acts prohibiting the movement of information and materials required for sports betting led to many sportsbooks closing down. However, in the mid-1970s, the government imposed lower taxes on sportsbooks, and for the first time, a sportsbook could operate inside a casino.

The Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978 was a turning point for sports betting. This Act made it legal for bettors in states with legal gambling to wager on horse races outside their state. It was a sign that lawmakers recognized the potential in regulated sports betting. Congress reduced taxes on sportsbooks even further, resulting in a boom across Nevada.

Professional And Amateur Sports Protection Act

In 1992, Congress introduced the PASPA. This Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act led to a massive decline in sports betting. It prohibited states from allowing sports betting on professional and amateur sports, with a few exemptions. Horse and dog racing could continue, as could sportsbooks in Las Vegas and sports lotteries in Delaware, Oregon, and Montana.

Contrary to expectation, PASPA didn’t sound the death knell for sports betting. Some four years later, the internet became an integral part of connecting bookmakers to bettors. On January 17th 1996, online sports betting was born and the first wager was placed across state lines. Online sportsbooks started to flourish and became a viable form of legal sports betting.

Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act

Online sports betting hit a snag in 2006 when the federal government passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). This Act made accepting money from someone participating in illegal online gambling on US soil a criminal act.

While it didn’t specifically prohibit online betting, the UIGEA targeted the financial transactions linked to sports betting. The result was that online sportsbooks with any legal or financial connection to the US withdrew from the country.

The Future

In May 2018, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that PASPA effectively took away each state’s authority to regulate sports betting. SCOTUS overturned the federal ban imposed by PASPA. Each state now has the responsibility of determining how to monitor and control online betting within state lines.

Since the overturning of the ban, there’s been a massive movement towards legal sports betting. More and more states are putting structures in place to make the best sports betting available to its residents.

Final Thoughts On Legal Sports Betting

It’s no secret that legal sports betting is becoming popular worldwide. The age of technology and a general shift to an online environment has brought the best sports betting options to our screens.

Sports betting apps make connecting to the best sports betting operators as easy as a few clicks, and legal sports betting offers players of a range of sports and betting options without leaving our homes.

With most US states already embracing legal sports betting, the rest are sure to follow. As long as sportsbooks comply with regulations and bettors gamble responsibly, legal sports betting is here to stay.

Internet gambling has become one of the biggest industries in the world. The
United State has a vast complex market of companies competing to gain customers
and have the best win opportunities available. This page is designed to give you
the information you need to know about the laws that govern these sites and how
these laws affect your ability to play.

The information on this site is for informational purposes only. We’re not
lawyers and don’t claim to be experts in gambling laws. We’re giving you an
overview of the federal and state laws that apply to online gambling so you can
be informed before you step into the world of online gambling.

The United States is famous for enacting laws for just about every single
industry and having these laws redacted, changed, and renewed several times over
the years. It’s important that you know the most up to date information if you
want to be a member of the ever growing world of online gambling.

The federal government isn’t the only governing body that’s able to make laws
in regards to the online gambling industry. Each state has its own laws that
allow, prohibit, or restrict gambling on land and online. Before you try to
start gambling online you need to make sure its legal to do so within the state
you live.

The laws in each state differ and can at times be confusing, as can those
from the federal government. Most of these laws are written by people who know
little to nothing about the industry which can cause problems with the
enforcement of the laws. The laws tend to be vague and leave too much room for
interpretation which can give judges and prosecutors the ability to go on
crusades based on their feelings on the subject.

As you go through this page you can familiarize yourself with a generous
overview of both state and federal laws. The overview includes possible
consequences of breaking these laws and where online gambling is allowed and
with what restriction. We hope this page gives you all the information you need
to successfully navigate the online gambling industry.

United States Online Gambling

Federal Laws

From the first emergence of online gambling those in the federal government
thought it necessary to enact laws that any company, whether land based or
digital, must follow. Some of the laws that affect the online industry were
enacted before the emergence of the online world, but these new gambling forms
still have to follow these laws. Below we’re going to give you an overview of
the laws that apply to the online gaming industry.

Wire Act of 1961

The first thing you may notice is the date on this law. Yes, it was passed
into law in 1961, which is well before the invention of the internet and even
the thought of online gambling. Even with this being the case, this law has been
used many times over the years to make rulings against online gambling.

Wire Act of 1961 was initially used to work with other antiracketeering laws such as the
Travel Act and others. The law was obviously not drawn up in regards to the
online gambling industry but because of the way it was written it still is
applicable in governing the industry.

The first purpose of the Wire Act was to help the states and territories of
the United States enforce their laws on gambling and bookmaking and to suppress
the gambling in organized events. The law has one section that allows it to be
used by law enforcement to apply to the newer industry of online gambling.

“Whoever being engaged in the business of betting or wagering knowingly uses
a wire communication facility for the transmission in interstate or foreign
commerce of bets or wagers or information assisting in the placing of bets or
wagers on any sporting event or contest, or for the transmission of a wire
communication which entitles the recipient to receive money or credit as a
result of bets or wagers, or for information assisting in the placing of bets or
wagers, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years,
or both.”

In this section of the law when it says that anyone who places a wager or a
bet using wire communications allows for any law enforcement agency on either
the state or federal level to use this law against an online gambling site.
However in 2011, there was a change to the law that changed everything.

The legal opinion that was released by the Department of Justice in 2011
gives the states more authority in deciding how they wanted to handle the online
gambling industry. The opinion decriminalized certain forms of gambling that in
the past had been illegal. With this change the DOJ would no longer seek
criminal charges against those who play online versions of casino games such as
poker, slot games, bingo, and lottery options. Even with this change, online
sports betting was not included and remained illegal.

The change has not completely changed the world of online gambling. It
doesn’t change the fact that a company the provides online gambling options to
restrict its players by state if the state they live in has not legalized online
gambling then they cannot play.

It also hasn’t helped those states that have legalized online gambling to
operate without issue. Some of the other laws regarding online gambling still
create problems for those states that have legalized the industry.

In recent years there has been a push to re-enact the original Wire Act of
1961. This new bill is called the Restoration of America’s Wire Act and was
introduced to Congress in 2014 by Senator Lindsey Graham and Jason Chaffetz.
This bill is designed to restore the Wire Act to its original state where all
forms of online gambling would be illegal.

If RAWA was to pass and become law it would essentially bring to an end the
entire industry of online gambling. Since it would reestablish that most forms
of gambling would be illegal it would no longer matter if a state had legalized
it or not. The bill does have some exceptions, but many of the most popular
forms would no longer be available in the online gaming world.

Interstate Transportation of Wagering Paraphernalia Act

Another 1961 law that was passed by the US government with the intent to
close the gaps for the gambling industry came in the form of the
Interstate
Transportation of Wagering Paraphernalia Act. This act made it illegal to
transport any record, paraphernalia, ticket, certificate, and bill, slip token,
paper, writing, or any other device used, to be used in book making, or wagering
pools for sports betting.

This law, much like the Federal Wire Act, was enacted way before the time of
online betting but is still very much a part of the business. This law makes it
illegal to basically send anything over the internet, through the mail, or any
other means of transfer that can or will be used to make sports bets.

The language used in the writing of the act is so broad that with the
advancements in technology it can still be used as a means to put a stop to
online sports betting. Because words like paraphernalia, paper, and device are
used it’s up to the courts to determine if the method used falls under any of
these classifications. More than likely any wire transfer or online transaction
can and will be viewed under one of these categories

All of the laws we’ve just gone over can be found in their entirety on the
federal regulations web site. We’ve given you the summary of the laws with the
intent to inform you of laws that always take precedent over state law.
Regardless of how constitutional these laws may seem or not seem they’re still
currently in effect and must be obeyed unless you want to find yourself sitting
in federal prison.

UIGEA

The next law we want to talk about is the
Unlawful
Internet Gambling Act. This law is different from the Wire Act and many
others because it doesn’t target the gamblers playing the games but the
companies that supply the games and companies that process the payments to and
from the online gaming site.

This law was able to pass both the house and the senate easily because it was
attached to other laws that were widely supported. If this hadn’t been the case
this law might not have been able to make it into law.

This law doesn’t prohibit players from playing the games. The law was drafted
with the intent to stop money laundering, fraud, and other financial crimes.

This law prohibits online gambling companies from accepting payments from
someone that violates federal or state laws. It regulates how payments are made
for online gambling transactions. This law basically makes it illegal for a
company to accept payment from banks or credit card companies. This causes
issues for not just the online companies but for the players as well.

When this law was signed into law it caused a mass exit from the US market of
gambling sites and payment processors. This law made it nearly impossible for US
players to find an online gambling site that would accept them and allow them to
play. This is still an issue with most brands being offshore companies that
won’t accept US players.

In the years since the passing of this law the market has stabilized and the
use of prepaid accounts, prepaid credit cards, and some digital wallet companies
have given US players the ability to start playing again.

One good thing that has come out of this law being passed is that the sites
that offer online gambling are safer and more reliable for the customers of the
site as long as they are operated within the United States. You must remember
that this law has no effect on offshore companies that accept US players so be
careful what site you choose to play on.

Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act

This laws basic purpose is to completely ban online sports betting. Known as the PASPA,
this law works with the Federal Wire Act to make it illegal for anyone in the
United States to place bets on sporting events like football, basketball, and
baseball via the internet, or any other wire transfer methods.

Some sporting events however are legal to bet on through the internet. Sports
like pari-mutuel horse racing and dog racing are some that are exempt from the
law.

When the law was first voted in the U.S. government included a grace period
for states that had been allowing online sports betting to alter their sports
betting so that it could continue without violating the law. This grace period
was primarily for New Jersey, who in turn didn’t take advantage of this
opportunity and has since filed a law suit stating the law is inherently
unconstitutional.

Some states however do have sports lotteries which don’t fall under the
guidelines of the PASPA law and are still legal for online betting. Those states
include Delaware, Montana, and Oregon. The law also doesn’t prohibit US
residents from participating in sports betting with an offshore online casino.

Demand is growing to have this law repealed, but even if the law is repealed
the use of online means to place bets on sporting events would still be
considered illegal due to the Federal Wire Act. Repealing this bill would only
make it legal for sports betting in land based casinos.

Illegal Gambling Business Act

Illegal Gambling Business Act was
aimed at ending the involvement of organized crime in the gambling business.
This law states that any gambling operation that is in violation of state or
local law that has five or more people conducting its operation, and remains in
continuous operation for 30 days or makes more than $2,000 in revenue in a days’
time can be prosecuted.

This law doesn’t include the bettor as a person that can be found guilty
under this law, however anyone who works for the gambling business itself can
be. This means that anyone from the owner of the business down to the runners
can fall under this laws prevue.

This law was written with the intent to be extremely vague giving the
government the ability to bend the rules to enforce the law as they see fit. The
statement about continuous operation allows them to determine how regularly the
so called illegal activities are taking place. It also gives them the ability to
only have to prove the involvement of someone in the illegal operation and not
that they knew the activity involved five or more people or that the five
individuals were involved for the allotted 30 day time period.

State Laws

Each state in the United States has the right to pass and enforce its own
laws. These laws don’t take a higher level of legality than the Federal laws but
most federal laws do defer to the state’s laws to see if they’ve been violated
before the federal law is enforced.

Each state has the ability to prohibit its residents from engaging in any
form of online gambling. Some states allow only certain types of online gambling
while others have completely legalized the industry. We’ve gone through the
states one by one to determine what the laws are and how they can affect your
ability to place bets online. We provide this information for knowledge purposes
only and don’t intend for the information to be used for a legal purpose. We
aren’t lawyers so if you’re having a problem, make sure to get further advice
from a licensed lawyer.

Is Online Sports Gambling Legal In Maryland

To determine if an act of gambling is a violation to the state laws there are
certain factors used by states. They are the Dominant Factor Test and what
classifies social gambling. Then states must also determine whether the
violation falls under the law as a misdemeanor or a felony level crime and
whether the crime meets requirements to be distinguished as a simple crime or an
aggravated crime.

The Dominant Factor Test is applied to an activity to determine if it
violates state law. This test determines if a gambling activity is based on
chance. If it’s determined that chance outweighs actual skill, more than likely
this violates the state’s laws on gambling. Most states have determined that if
a game has an element of skill that is required to successfully play a game then
it doesn’t violate the law. Not all states use this test, but as you read you
can see which states do and which states don’t.

Is Online Sports Gambling Legal In Oregon

States also divide gambling up into different categories and usually have an
allowance for social gambling. Determining what social gambling is can be tricky
depending on the state. Generally social gambling is when all those involved in
the gambling are on equal footing. Basically the people working the game can’t
benefit from the game more than a player can.

We’ve also determined the levels of violations in each state so as you read
you can see what states you can play in and what states you can’t.

State Pacts and Developments

States that have legalized online gambling know that to be successful in the
industry that they must have a large pool of players. Since not all states have
regulations on this type of gambling and the legal system can at times be rather
grey when it comes to this industry states must be careful when accepting
players from other states.

Having a pact or other agreement with other states is a great way to legally
offer online gambling to residents from other states. This is becoming a new way
for states to work together to embrace this large industry in the United States.

In recent years more states have started working on legislation to regulate
the use of online casinos and we can only hope that if they decide to legalize
it then they’re willing to work together to make our online gambling industry as
successful as that of other countries.

US Friendly Online Casinos

As we’ve shown you, online gambling is part of a vast grey area in most
states which causes online casinos to become leery of allowing players from the
United States to play at their sites. Over the years the ability for Americans
to play at online casinos that originate outside the US has grown but there are
still a large number that don’t want the hassle.

Is Online Sports Gambling Legal In Usa

We decided to include a list of online casinos that accept US players so you
don’t have to look any further than right here to find out what sites readily
accept players from states that allow online gambling.

These sites include:

• Lucky Red Casino
• Real Time Gaming
• Slotland
• Club USA Casino
• Win A Day Casino
• Red Stag Casino
• Ignition Casino
• Makitone Gaming
• Liberty Slots Casino
• Intertops Casino Classic
• Buzzluck Casino
• Jackpot Capital
• Miami Club Casino
• iNetBet
• Intertops Red Casino
• Bovada Casino
• BetSoft
• Slots.lv
• Slotastic
• Lincoln Casino
• All Star Slots
• Grande Vegas
• High Noon Casino
• Aladdins Gold Casino
• Gossip Slots
• Manhattan Slots
• Casino Extreme
• Desert Nights Rival Casino
• Black Lotus Casino
• Drake Casino
• BetChain
• Kudos Casino
• Diamond Reels Casino
• All You Bet Casino
• Cafe Casino
• Vegas Crest Casino
• Sun Palace Casino
• mBitCasino
• Lotus Asia Casino
• Fonecasino
• Lucky Club Casino
• Grand Fortune Casino
• Vegas Casino Online
• Lucky Creek
• Treasure Mile
• Jackpot Wheel Casino
• Mandarin Palace
• Grand Eagle

Is Online Sports Gambling Legal In California

Conclusion

With this page we intended to help you as an online player to be able to know
for sure if you’re playing legally or if you’re taking a chance of being charged
with a crime in your state.

We included all of the 50 states so that you can easily determine which
states are online gambling friendly states and which ones frown upon the
industry.

You can find everything about the federal laws that have an effect on how the
industry is run and what types of gambling is permitted by the federal
government.

Always remember that we aren’t lawyers so if you think or have any reason to
believe you might be in violation of any laws by joining an online gambling
casino make sure that you contact a lawyer before you join. This way you get
expert legal advice that can tell you for sure if it’s ok to join or not.

We hope you’ve found everything you need on this page including your next
casino to try out. Some of those in our list of casinos are top rated and have
amazing sites to play on so do your research and find one that’s right for you.