Are online casinos legal in us
New casino sites to play real money
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. 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.
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.
Are online casinos legal or illegal in the US?
First and foremost, people can legally gamble in online casinos in the USA. Laws governing gambling are always changing on various states but what you should have in mind is that gamblers will not be held liable for making online bets.
The legal gambling states in the US
something that many people in the united states want to know is whether online gambling activities are legal in their jurisdictions or whether it is illegal. On the contrary, the misinterpretation comes from a poor understanding of some laws such as the act of unlawful internet gambling enforcement 2006.
This act has some provisions that have to deal with the wire transfers, with the components stating that no one or company should knowingly receive funds from an individual participating in any illegal online gambling. However, this doesn’t mean a person can’t send their money since the main word is that recipients should not accept the funds.
There are certain laws made pertaining to online gambling and one of them is an additional part of legislation to the SAFE port act. This act was a very important piece of legislation and this is because it passed the senate and the house of representatives.
This is the reason as to why payment processing companies are used as channels for money transfers from online betting sites and casinos. Many online casino operators like casinosecret japan live and operate outside the united states due to the laws in this area.
Such a law creates the need for payment processing companies since a player can’t simply put their credit card information on any online casino they choose. This is something that is always misinterpreted by so many people. They tend to understand the law as gambling is illegal for players and it is illegal for players to transfer any funds to casinos that operate outside the united states.
An important thing to do, is if a player doesn’t feel comfortable with playing online casino games and they are not is a state that has legalized gambling they should research their municipal or county rules in order to check if there is any probation against such activities.Online gambling laws vary in different states in the US with some of them declaring such activities illegal and others have legalized it.
Some other states are still in the process of legalizing online gambling activities. However, it is not every gambling activity that is completely legal, even since there are some states that have more regulated industries. For example, in new jersey, the only legal gambling activity is poker while in new jersey they only offer poker rooms and various casino games since the state has licensed online casinos.
Sports betting is also part of gambling and it had been illegal under federal law. However, sports betting was legalized in may 2018, after the united states supreme court had the ban lifted.
Online gambling in the US
many US citizens still wonder whether online casinos are legal in the US and this is because the united states is a collaged work of federal, state and many local gambling laws. Whether online casinos are legal or illegal depends on where you live and at the moment, some states such as pennsylvania, new jersey and new hampshire have some concerns about the legality of online casinos, lottery sites and poker rooms.
States with legal online casinos
as mentioned earlier, the legality of online gambling depends on the area where you live and states like nevada, new jersey and delaware already offer legal USA online gambling. Players won’t be prosecuted for placing bets at an offshore online casino and you can’t run an online casino in the united states.
Jpmorgan chase believes that by 2025 as many as 20 US states will allow legal online gambling. The US has very strict laws but the ones related to gambling might be legalized soon meaning more players will be able to access legal online casinos in their countries. For each state and jurisdiction in the US, there are different requirements but most casinos have a minimum age requirement of 18 and above.
Registration and playing on online casinos
players have the option of registering on one online casino but they can as well register on multiple casinos and betting sites. Since players are always looking for bonuses and prizes, that’s why they register on dozens of online casinos.
It is possible to play casino games for free in the US as long as you create an account, download the casino’s software, and start playing instantly. Playing at online casinos that are legal you should be assured that the games are safe and fair. It is very important that players find a safe and fair online casino.
Here are some of the top best casinos in the US:
• bovada-it has a great offering of table games, sports betting, live dealers, poker and roulette. With a wide range of payment methods.
• café casino-it features a great welcome bonus and other bonuses to loyal customers. The casino games are available in instant play mode.
• betonline-this casino offers online slots, esports, live betting, poker and a welcome bonus of $1000
• planet7-the casino has a plethora of games, fast payouts using the most popular methods including bitcoin, free spins, progressive bonuses, VIP promos, and great customer service.
• slots. Iv-this is a casino that offers players a choice between $1,000, a 200% welcome bonus and a 300% bitcoin bonus. They also offer slots tournaments, live dealer games and table games.
The choice of whether you would like to gamble online is up to you. It is highly advisable that you avoid it in a state where online gambling is illegal and it is a felony. Despite the fact that the number of US citizens who have been prosecuted is zero you should keep off from illegal online casinos.
Since many states have gambling regulations and laws on their books the prohibition of online casino games can turn into a serious felony.
Are online casinos legal in us
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
| Site | review | bonus offer | USA | visit |
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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 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.
Are online casinos legal in the USA?
Out of all questions about legal online gambling in the USA, the legality of online casinos are generally ignored. It is hard to say why this is, but as far as we can tell the united states government has never seized an online casino, but there have been some brands of casino software that have pulled out of the american market in order to avoid prosecution or to insulate themselves from potential harm. The fact of the matter is that online casinos enjoy some level of protection for a variety of reasons, including the wide number of these gaming sites and the relatively small player base that these casinos include - player bases that are almost infinitely smaller than the major online poker rooms.
When the UIGEA was passed, several brands of online casino software decide that they would not bother trying to contend with the ethics and complications of federal law. In 2008, casinos that license the microgaming software stopped accepting new players from the united states. Later, in 2011, microgaming saw what happened on online poker's "black friday," and they cut ties with all existing united states gamblers. Similarly, playtech had decided to pull from the united states market, but they did so significantly earlier. Playtech ceased operating in the united states as soon as the UIGEA was passed in 2006. Though these two behemoths had pulled from the american market, several types of online casino continued to operate within the united states, including one of the best - the RTG software.
With the complicated nature of the online gambling industry, with both the inherent inability to control the internet and regulate international businesses, the united states has not been able to effectively ban the online gambling sites. When begging the question over whether these online casinos are legal in the united states, it is somewhat easier just to say that they are not illegal, but they are also unregulated. Since every state that allows some form of gambling heavily regulates the industry, it is difficult to say whether a lack of regulation inherently makes these gambling sites illegal. A few states have banned online gambling in all forms, but this is mostly targeted at starting a gambling site rather than playing at them. In washington state the games are illegal for the player. Nevada, illinois, indiana, wisconsin, louisiana, montana, oregon and south dakota also have their own laws pertaining to the legality of playing with an online casino .
What it boils down to at this point is casino software. Several forms of online casino software are still operating in the united states, including the RTG, rival, top game and vegas technology software. There are a few others, but they are hardly worth mention - especially considering the might of the RTG software.Regulation would greatly improve the gambling atmosphere online, but for now the only thing that is illegal, as per the UIGEA, is processing payments for online gambling sites. This only applies to financial businesses, so players do not actually have to worry about being held liable for just enjoying the what online casinos have to offer.
As with any other form of gambling, we implore you to check into your state's online gambling laws, perhaps with an attorney, prior to gambling, especially if you are really concerned with whether or not you can actually get in trouble for something as harmless as online gambling. Above anything else, do not attempt to ever bypass the minimum gambling age that has been instituted in your state, as this is a great way to very quickly lose any money before you even have a chance to win.
Gambling illegal online can leave you with several penalties to pay, and depending how extensive it is, you could be looking at some big trouble with the law. That it why we have pages like this to inform you about the most important aspects about gambling online. There is no greater importance than to ensure that you do so legally and safely. Your state government will have all of that information for you, especially when it comes to the legal gambling ages in your area. Just because you might meet the requirement from the sportsbook, does not mean that you are of age in your state.
For further information about the legality of online casinos as they relate to players in the united states, check out the link below which will move you to our site on everything legal online casinos, as you will gain a sense of some of the top-rated casinos out there for the U.S. Player.
See more about legal online casinos here as well as a list of all online casinos that accept USA players.
Are online casinos legal in us
Are online casinos legal in the USA?
Gambling and online casinos are legally restricted in the united states of america. Most states have strict rules against gambling. Attitudes across the country are starting to change, however. Online casinos are a popular form of gambling across the world and are starting to become popular in the US too.
If you live in the USA you’ll probably have noticed that lots of forms of gambling aren’t allowed. Although many states allow softer forms of gambling such as lotteries or pool betting, some states have strict rules against all forms of betting and gambling. Hawaii and utah are examples of states which have a complete ban on all gambling.
Those who are interested in gambling in the US will often have to travel to a state where it’s allowed. For a long time, las vegas in nevada has been a famous tourist destination thanks to its low restrictions on casinos, gambling and sports betting.
Despite casinos and gambling facing restrictions across the US, many gambling enthusiasts are hopeful that these restrictions will be lifted soon. A recent change in federal law now means that states can legalize sports betting so hopefully online casinos will see legalization across the US soon too.
Online casinos in the US
At the moment, online casinos are only legal in three US states. In nevada and delaware online casinos are legal but only for playing online poker. If you want the full casino experience online, you’ll need to go to new jersey. Here you can enjoy all kinds of classic casino games plus exciting online slots.
New jersey is currently the only US state which fully allows online casinos. You don’t have to live in new jersey to enjoy the online casinos, players visiting the state are also welcome to log in and have fun on the sites. You’ll also need to be at least 21 to use any of the legal online casino sites in new jersey.
Don’t worry about experiencing issues with any of the sites. All online casinos have to be regulated by the new jersey division of gaming enforcement. This government body ensures that players are kept safe and treated well when using the casino sites. You can rest assured that the games you play will be fair and your funds will be kept safe when using an online casino in new jersey.
Why is gambling still restricted in the USA?
The gambling industry in the US is still fighting against years of stigma and unfair negative connotations associated with gambling. For many years people thought of problem gambling, crime, and other negative behaviors when gambling was mentioned.
These days the industry has made serious efforts to ensure that players can gamble safely and responsible gambling is encouraged. Most online casinos allow players put self-imposed limits and will promote gambling in moderation.
People in the US are slowly starting to realize that gambling can be a fun and exciting pastime and also a benefit to the economy. As time goes on we will hopefully see more restrictions against gambling lifted in the US.
To read the latest guides, news, and features you can visit our other game page.
Are online casinos legal in the USA?
Out of all questions about legal online gambling in the USA, the legality of online casinos are generally ignored. It is hard to say why this is, but as far as we can tell the united states government has never seized an online casino, but there have been some brands of casino software that have pulled out of the american market in order to avoid prosecution or to insulate themselves from potential harm. The fact of the matter is that online casinos enjoy some level of protection for a variety of reasons, including the wide number of these gaming sites and the relatively small player base that these casinos include - player bases that are almost infinitely smaller than the major online poker rooms.
When the UIGEA was passed, several brands of online casino software decide that they would not bother trying to contend with the ethics and complications of federal law. In 2008, casinos that license the microgaming software stopped accepting new players from the united states. Later, in 2011, microgaming saw what happened on online poker's "black friday," and they cut ties with all existing united states gamblers. Similarly, playtech had decided to pull from the united states market, but they did so significantly earlier. Playtech ceased operating in the united states as soon as the UIGEA was passed in 2006. Though these two behemoths had pulled from the american market, several types of online casino continued to operate within the united states, including one of the best - the RTG software.
With the complicated nature of the online gambling industry, with both the inherent inability to control the internet and regulate international businesses, the united states has not been able to effectively ban the online gambling sites. When begging the question over whether these online casinos are legal in the united states, it is somewhat easier just to say that they are not illegal, but they are also unregulated. Since every state that allows some form of gambling heavily regulates the industry, it is difficult to say whether a lack of regulation inherently makes these gambling sites illegal. A few states have banned online gambling in all forms, but this is mostly targeted at starting a gambling site rather than playing at them. In washington state the games are illegal for the player. Nevada, illinois, indiana, wisconsin, louisiana, montana, oregon and south dakota also have their own laws pertaining to the legality of playing with an online casino .
What it boils down to at this point is casino software. Several forms of online casino software are still operating in the united states, including the RTG, rival, top game and vegas technology software. There are a few others, but they are hardly worth mention - especially considering the might of the RTG software.Regulation would greatly improve the gambling atmosphere online, but for now the only thing that is illegal, as per the UIGEA, is processing payments for online gambling sites. This only applies to financial businesses, so players do not actually have to worry about being held liable for just enjoying the what online casinos have to offer.
As with any other form of gambling, we implore you to check into your state's online gambling laws, perhaps with an attorney, prior to gambling, especially if you are really concerned with whether or not you can actually get in trouble for something as harmless as online gambling. Above anything else, do not attempt to ever bypass the minimum gambling age that has been instituted in your state, as this is a great way to very quickly lose any money before you even have a chance to win.
Gambling illegal online can leave you with several penalties to pay, and depending how extensive it is, you could be looking at some big trouble with the law. That it why we have pages like this to inform you about the most important aspects about gambling online. There is no greater importance than to ensure that you do so legally and safely. Your state government will have all of that information for you, especially when it comes to the legal gambling ages in your area. Just because you might meet the requirement from the sportsbook, does not mean that you are of age in your state.
For further information about the legality of online casinos as they relate to players in the united states, check out the link below which will move you to our site on everything legal online casinos, as you will gain a sense of some of the top-rated casinos out there for the U.S. Player.
See more about legal online casinos here as well as a list of all online casinos that accept USA players.
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.
Legal USA online casinos
Legal USA online casinos are sprinkled throughout the internet and can provide gamblers with a convenient way to earn rewards without ever having to leave the comfort of their own home. Offshore online casinos are the only online casinos that will accept US gamblers from every US state. Online casinos have become one of the most popular ways to indulge in gambling and with the rise of technology even more players are starting to visit online casinos from all over the world. The convenience of online casinos will continue to keep gamblers coming back and using these websites.
Legal online casinos will always be around now that the internet is a major part of every business. All of the reputable legal online casinos will have up to date software that automatically updates and provides gamblers with fluid slot play. The trusted ones will also have a customer support team that is ready to assist you should any problems arise whether it is over the phone, through a live chat with a representative, or email. Just remember that a legal USA online casino is only recommended if they value their customers.
Are online casinos legal for US players?
In short, yes online casinos are legal for US players because of a gray area in legislation. It is not illegal to gamble at online casinos that are not based in the united states. Any online casino that is set up outside of the united states is legal because it doesn’t fall under the jurisdiction of the american government. There are a few states that have legalized online casino betting action (delaware, pennsylvania, new jersey), but they require gamblers to be located in that exact state when wagering. The offshore sites do not have this requirement and can keep gamblers happy no matter where they are located.
Types of legal casino software
There are different types of legal casino software that can affect how an online casino operates. Typically, the best online casinos will have software like real time gaming, topgame, nuworks, and betonsoft to ensure that the sites perform at an optimal level consistently. Most legal casino software will make enhance the users' experience instead of becoming a detriment to it. When selecting an online casino, check out what software they are using in order to get better accustomed to what is offered by the site.
Top rated real money online casinos
There are many real money online casinos to choose from as the internet has allowed thousands of real and fake casinos to pop up overnight. However, choosing from the highest-rated casinos can prevent scams and provides gamblers with a fair gaming environment. The best real money online casinos will provide gamblers with plenty of deposit and withdrawal options while also being licensed by whatever country they operate their casino out of. The top-rated real money casinos provide gamblers with a complete mobile gaming experience and usually have promotions running throughout the year. With so many real money casinos scattered throughout the internet make sure the casino you choose is not located in the united states. Two of the best real money online casinos on the internet are lucky red casino and slots jungle, each site has a plethora of games and live dealers available 24/7.
Depositing funds into an online casino
Depositing funds into an online casino is easier than ever with modern technology. Online casinos should offer many ways to get your account funded to start betting. Among the many deposit options that casinos can offer, the most common methods you’ll see are credit or debit cards, bitcoin, and wire bank transfers. Each deposit method has a minimum and maximum deposit requirement that must be met to ensure your deposit. Most deposit methods are completely safe and allow gamblers to put funds into their account to begin gambling instantly. When depositing funds make sure that the online casino is safe and is backed by a reputable financial institution in the country.
Payout options for legal online casinos
Online casinos offer some of the same payout methods as brick-and-mortar casinos. Common payout options for legal online casinos are bank transfers, courier checks, bitcoin, and wire transfers. Like deposit methods, payout options for legal online casinos also have minimum and maximum requirements that must be met to receive your winnings. Depending on the payout method you choose the time in which you receive your winnings may vary. Typically, legal online casinos make it a priority to pay out their customers within five business days.
Online casino promotions and bonus
Online casinos promotions and bonuses are a great way to lower your initial risk playing and allow you to get more money to bet on. Most reputable online casinos will have a tab or page dedicated to the latest bonuses and promotions that the casino has to offer. The types of promotions or bonuses you’ll come across when browsing online casinos are welcome bonuses that provide gamblers with extra bankroll just for setting up an account and making an initial deposit. Many of the promotions or bonuses can be redeemed using a promo code found on the website.
Guide to online casinos in alabama: the best alabama casino sites for 2020
While there are a number of states across the USA that allow punters to gamble in land-based casinos and online casinos, unfortunately alabama allows neither. For the time being and the foreseeable future, online gambling is illegal in the state. Because the state policies on the matter tend to be more conservative, it is unlikely that there will be any alabama gambling sites legalized before traditional land-based casinos are legalized in the state – which at the time of writing there is no plan to do so.
Despite this, read on to discover more about alabama’s history with gambling and more!
- We base our pages off of trusted sources such as: the birmingham news and the the mobile press-register to stay on top of all industry related news and developments.
- The field of our expertise is spread across the entire gambling industry including casino games such as slots and have created an online roulette guide.
- We stay acu courant with the changes to the law by closely following the movements of the alabama attorney general’s office and the state government in alabama.
- Al.Com
- Press register
- Alabama attorney generals office
- Alabama seal
Available casino games in alabama
As mentioned above, online gambling is illegal in the state of alabama and there are no plans to change this in the near future. The only form of online wagering that alabama’s residents can enjoy is daily fantasy sports, which sees players draft fantasy lineups of sports players and battle them head to head against other contestants for cash prizes. For more information on online casinos elsewhere in the USA, check out our online casinos guide.
Biggest state land-based casinos
There are five casinos in alabama in total, with three of them being located on tribal lands and two others with racetracks which offer pari-mutuel wagering. The tribal casinos include the wind creek casino wetumpka, the wind creek casino montgomery, the wind creek casino atmore. The two racinos include victoryland and greenetrack.
The wind creek casino wetumpka is the largest of these casinos, which is home to 283 4-star hotel rooms across the 20-story resort complex and over 2,500 electronic gaming machines on its gaming floor. See below for the address of all five casinos across alabama.
- Wind creek casino wetumpka, 100 river oaks dr, wetumpka, AL 36092
- Wind creek casino montgomery, 1801 eddie L tullis rd, montgomery, AL 36117
- Wind creek casino atmore, 303 poarch rd, atmore, AL 36502
- Victoryland, 8680 co rd 40, shorter, AL 36075
- Greenetrack, 524 co rd 208, eutaw, AL 35462
History of casino gambling in alabama
Known to be one of the most conservative states in the nation, it might not come as a surprise that alabama doesn’t and never really has tolerated gambling activities. Alas, there are few milestones in the allowance of gaming activities over the last century. Below, we’ve created a timeline of the legal history of gambling in the state leading all the way up till the recent legalization of daily fantasy sports. For more information on gambling in alabama, visit our dedicated alabama gambling page.
| year | event |
|---|---|
| 1901 | the alabama state constitution bans all forms of gambling that are determined by chance. This remains relatively unchanged to this day. |
| 1971 | pari-mutuel betting at greyhound racing and horse racing tracks is ruled legal. The alabama racing commission is established to oversee this. |
| 1980 | charitable bingo gambling begins. If counties and cities wish to host these activities, they must apply for licenses with the relevant authorities. |
| 1988 | under the federal indian gaming regulatory act, casinos based on tribal lands are made legal. However, these casinos are restricted to slot machines and bingo games, with no traditional table games being legal in the state. |
| 2016 | alabama’s attorney general luther strange ordered all DFS operators to stop operations, deeming DFS betting to be illegal. |
| 2019 | daily fantasy sports is signed into law on the 31st of may, 2019, allowing locals to enjoy the sport without fear of prosecution. |
Casino gambling age in alabama
The gambling age laws in alabama are varied. While the legal gambling age in alabama at casinos and racing tracks outside of the greene and maine counties is 18 years old, playing bingo, daily fantasy sports and gambling at racing tracks in the greene and mobile counties is 19 years old.
If a player is caught gambling underage, it is considered a class A misdemeanor and is punishable with no longer than a year in prison or a fine of $6,000.
Responsible gambling and addiction prevention
If you are concerned that you or a loved one may be struggling with keeping their gambling habits under control, there are a number of options in alabama that you can consider to ensure that you get the help you need. We recommend that you contact one of the friendly professionals at the alabama council on compulsive gambling through their webportal or by calling 211 for an open, confidential talk on how you can cope with your addiction. We also recommend tracking down a local gamblers anonymous meeting to meet like-minded people for support.
Can I play without deposit?
In states that allow online casinos, many websites will offer perks and promotions to attract gamblers in to trialling their games. A popular perk sees players being offered gameplay without making a deposit. This means that new players could receive what is essentially free credit to bet on different games on the website. It can be a great opportunity for players to discover the most entertaining games online as well as discovering the benefits of gambling online as opposed to at land-based casinos. Although no financial investment will need to be made, the bonuses aren’t exactly without terms and conditions. Often, a certain amount of bets will need to be made on a certain number of games within a strict time limit before anything can be withdrawn, so players will need to ensure they do their research before they get too excited about no-deposit bonuses.
Upcoming casino regulation and expected changes
For a while, it seemed that alabama would never progress when it came to easing its gambling laws. Since daily fantasy sports was legalized in 2019, there is no reason to think that this attitude could not change. All around the country, states are legalizing sports betting one by one – with many quickly realizing the benefits in the taxation of gaming revenue. Alabama’s neighbor states tennessee and mississippi have already passed sports betting legislation, with florida and georgia currently discussing the opportunities within their government.
However, even if sports betting is legalized in alabama, it may still take generations for attitudes in the state to change when considering table games gambling. Only time will tell if alabama progresses alongside its neighbors or chooses to remain an anti-gambling zone. If you don’t like the chances of alabama becoming a gambling-friendly state, you might want to read more about the delaware casinos which operate legally, protected by the state 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’s 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’ve compiled everything you need to know about gambling online in the US. 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 3 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 US state-by-state online gambling guides 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 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 online betting sites. 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’re concerned about the legality of online poker, online slots, or table games in your region, read our state reviews.
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
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 are online casinos legal in us
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