Is Online Gambling Legal in the US?
Online gambling has been around for decades, but it’s only recently become legal in the US. It takes time for laws to catch up with new technology, and government agencies tend to ban things before they make them legal. However, in the late 2000s, millions of dollars were wagered on online gambling sites – and the growth of the Internet poker boom coincided with the introduction of online casinos.
There are several different types of online gambling. Many of these are regulated by individual jurisdictions, but there’s no standardized federal standard. States must decide whether to allow online gambling in their jurisdiction. For example, the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA) made gambling online illegal in some states, but the sites quickly reopened.
The United States federal government allows online gambling, but individual states can enact legislation that regulates the industry. For example, Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware allow online poker and casino games. Some states have also made gambling on sports events legal. However, these laws differ from state to state, so you should check with your state’s regulations before signing up for an online casino.
To participate in online gambling, you will need to have an internet-capable computer. Many gambling sites are only compatible with Windows-based computers, but they’ve recently begun to support Macintosh users as well. In addition, online gambling sites are regulated, so they use 128-bit encryption for sensitive information and have independent auditors check the software before it goes on the market.