Online Casino Legality in the United States
Online casinos are a relatively new phenomenon. They were first given the green light in Antigua and Barbuda in 1994; today, they are legalized in over 60 countries and generate billions of dollars in profit. Veteran online gambling portal OnlineCasinoReports.com has been following the development and legality of online casinos all over the world since the late 1990s, setting up a special online gambling legality page where players can learn about the status of online casino legality in their countries.
Online Casinos in the US
Online casinos were operating unregulated in the United States until 2006, when the government passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), an act which prohibited US banks and credit card companies from processing payments for online casinos.
In 2011, the Department of Justice made clear that the Wire Act of 1961, which prohibited electronic transmissions for sports betting, does not apply to online casinos. This is the legal basis states have used to legalize online gambling today. As of now, only three states have legalized it – Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware – but other states continue to consider it as online casinos offer untold potential to reduce state budget deficits.
The Battle Rages On
At the same time that other states consider legalizing online casinos, opponents are seeking to pass a new bill, RAWA – the Restoration of America’s Wire Act – which would extend the Wire Act to apply to most forms of online gambling. Opponents to RAWA say that it blatantly “trample” states’ rights, and on this basis should not be passed. Online Casino Reports provides full coverage of the raging debate on their Online Gambling Legality page.
It’s difficult to say at this point which way the tide will turn. If RAWA is passed, the states that have already legalized online gambling will have to shut down their online casino operations. If RAWA is rejected, more states might be swift to legalize online gambling.
Stay Updated
In all that has to do with online gambling inside and outside of the US, OnlineCasinoReports.com is the best place to get your news first. If you are a US player, it is especially important if you would like to see online casinos legalized in your state.