US Gambling Laws and Online Betting

us states map

Gambling is not new. If you live in the United States or are a citizen of one of its many territories and commonwealths, you can trace the history of gambling in America back more than two centuries. The story starts with a founding father and a legal precedent that’s still used today.

The gambling law history continues with a peek at some of the most successful casinos globally, laws against gambling that were once questioned by presidential candidates and Supreme Court Justices, and the modern state of online regulation in the United States (and across international borders).

As technology improves, how we gamble changes, almost as much as the society around us. In our current reality, gambling laws are slowly adapting to innovations and activities. This article intends to provide an overview of the United States gaming regulations, their origins, and how they’ve changed over recent history.

The most recent thing to drastically change how we view gambling and gambling regulations is the internet. Gambling (and casinos, in particular) has been around for a long time. Still, the rise of online casinos in the last 10 years has made it possible for anyone with a computer to explore and take part in gambling (for real money or not) from anywhere in the world.

The use of gaming websites has grown astronomically since 2001, becoming one of America’s largest entertainment industries. This would have been impossible before the advent of cheaply available broadband Internet access.

In some ways, American gaming law is liberal. This is especially true when it comes to internet gambling. While the United States passed the Federal Wire Act in 1961, this was just an attempt to avoid federal anti-gambling laws. Anything that happened on a wire, like a telephone, was adjudged to be illegal.

The United States is known for displaying strong laissez-faire (hands-off) and strong regulation characteristics. The following are good examples of this.

  • In over 44 US states, there are state-run lotteries.
  • In more than half of American states, tribal casinos are in operation, with more being built.
  • Card rooms can be found in most small towns and major cities.
  • When it comes to charity betting or something for the elderly, there is little regulation.

Where Do The Gambling Laws Come From?

Unlike when it comes to lotteries, where each state has its laws, online gambling is unique because it spans multiple jurisdictions. In addition, it’s not exactly clear which laws apply because servers’ location, in many cases, isn’t known (websites can be hosted anywhere). What’s more, legislation from over a decade ago focused on Internet-enabled sports gambling shows that lawmakers have been slow to react to the growth of online poker and casino games.

Because of this, the global online gambling and betting market is so large, billions of dollars are at stake. For this reason, US gambling laws have received a lot of scrutiny from federal lawmakers and politicians, state politicians and officials, legislators on both sides of the aisle, lobbyists and advocates in various industries, law enforcement agencies, anti-gambling groups, international bodies like the United Nations and Interpol, and even private individuals.

As a result, US online gambling laws are a confusing mix of federal regulation, state regulation, and special rules for Native American casinos. These laws have changed in recent years. Many now express an interest in regulating some forms of online gambling.

Federal Gambling Laws

There are federal laws worth knowing about why online casino wagers and internet gambling have had such a hard time in the United States.

Recently, placing online bets was illegal in the US due to the Interstate Wire Act of 1961, which effectively banned all sports betting forms in America. Justice Department officials have interpreted the Wire Act prohibiting all sports betting forms — online or otherwise. While that may have been true at one time, The Wire Act has recently been amended nearly 50 times to allow things like fantasy sports and daily fantasy sports (DFS) betting.

The Act was passed not to prevent US citizens from gambling but as a way to stop crime bosses profiting from organized crime. These gangs operated sports gambling by wire, meaning by telephone.

Back in the early to mid-1900s, people eager to place bets could only place their bets via telephone. Because traditional sports bets were made by phone, it made sense for the government to clamp down on organized crime by passing laws that prevented telephone betting.

The Act did not just target telephone betting. Instead, through several subtle (and some not-so-subtle) quirks and turns, it covered all bets made via phone, television (in any medium), radio, and even though the mail. As a result, markets, where crime bosses had no presence were affected by the law. The Act was–and remains to this day–the strictest gambling legislation in the entire world.

In 1961 when the law was passed, no one could have imagined the internet, so interpreting the terminology and language used in the Act led to many legal challenges. However, the ambiguity has allowed online gambling in some US states.

In 2011 the Wire Act was asked to be clarified by the US Department for Justice. They concluded that interstate transmission of wire communications that do not involve a contest or sporting event falls out of the 1961 Wire Act’s remit.

This meant that online casino games, poker, slots, bingo, and lottery games do not site within the Wire Act’s boundaries. This means that other than covering a sporting event or contest (for example, NFL or MLB), any website where the bets themselves (not the outcome) are transmitted from one place to another isn’t illegal. The definition of a “sporting event” is becoming increasingly ambiguous due to technological advances and online gaming. Still, an argument could be made for any sport with a governing body.

The consensus now is that interstate sports betting is still illegal under the original Wire Act, with other forms of online gambling not covered by the Act. The Wire Act’s emphasis was always targeted at the providers of gambling services, not those looking to place a bet. To our knowledge, no one has been prosecuted under the Wire Act for placing a sports bet with a gambling company.

The Wire Act’s history doesn’t quite end here as in 2014, Senator Lindsey Graham and Jason Chaffetz pushed to have the original interpretation of the Wire Act reinstated. If they had been successful, all forms of online gambling would have been made illegal.

The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA)

The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, the UIGEA, was passed by Congress and signed by President Bush in late 2006. The UIGEA wasn’t just the first US law to regulate online gambling – it was the first law to prohibit banks and financial institutions from doing business with online gambling sites.

The law’s goal was to cut off money flow to online gambling sites by amending the Bank Secrecy Act, a federal law dating back to 1970 that prohibited financial institutions from knowingly accepting “ill-gotten gains.” Under the UIGEA, a financial institution is defined as any company involved in transmitting funds between a gambler and an online betting site, including payment processors such as credit

The Act banned financial institutions from moving money they knew was involved in online gambling. As it turns out, many financial institutions refuse to process payments related to online gambling. The result is that the legislation has severely limited both use and getting paid for online gambling.

The UIGEA has severe implications for the online gambling industry. First, it outlaws the processing of credit card transactions, deposits, and withdrawals, from American customers on foreign sites. So even if a player isn’t using their credit card to make a deposit, simply logging into an online casino via a US-based IP address triggers an instant ban.

The second significant effect is that offshore sites have been forced to block US players from entirely accessing their sites. Poker rooms are strict about enforcing this restriction; many rooms don’t even allow Americans to sign up for accounts unless they use payment methods impossible for the site to process.

More shocking than its passage, however, was the secrecy surrounding it. Until 2007, many lawmakers were not even aware of UIGEA’s existence. There were no committee hearings, no public debate on the merits of its provisions, and virtually no media coverage. Though UIGEA was signed into law on October 13, 2006, it wasn’t until late 2008 (three years after its passage) that it took effect.

The problem is that there are no laws, especially outside of the US, that force any person or company, including banks, to comply with US law. This means an American who wants to continue online gambling can easily open a bank account in a country like Antigua, known for its liberal online gambling regulation.

Of course, the easiest solution for Americans is to oft-overlooked offshore betting sites, which have been built to cater to foreign bettors and are designed to accept bets from almost anywhere.

In recent years, digital wallets have become a more common way for players from the United States to fund their online gambling accounts. However, the same laws do not bind these companies like banks or payment processing companies like PayPal. Prepaid accounts to fund online gaming have also become popular among players in countries where this is legal.

Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act

The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) is a federal law of the United States, signed into law by President Bush on November 28, 1992. The law maintains the status quo for American sports betting. Despite its sweeping name, PASPA’s primary function prohibited state-sponsored sports gambling in all but four states, which had legalized it already: Delaware, Montana, Nevada, and Oregon.

The Bill covers 37 leagues relating to baseball, football, and horse racing. In addition, this bill prevents states from legalizing bets on the sports that the government deems “unlawful activities.”

After prohibition in 1920, illegal sports betting was a thriving business. However, with this bill’s passing, over two-thirds of these illegal businesses were closed because sports betting is now strictly regulated and controlled by the government and professional sports leagues.

PASPA, also known as The Bradley Act (after Senator Bill Bradley, a former pro basketball player), prohibited state and professional sports organizations from fixing their games and placing a “Betting Line,” thereby making it illegal to wager on the winners. Because of its importance in preventing blatant acts of corruption in sports and keeping the integrity of professional leagues intact, the Act is lauded in its exacting role as a watchdog for sport integrity.

The Bradley Act was labeled the most-discussed piece of sports legislation in the United States history after it put tremendous control on sports betting and gambling. The bill closed down bookies and pushed gambling underground, literally. The end effect of this was an increase of corruption in professional sports. The Act directly affected players, gamblers, lobbyists, and even coaches and ownership groups. It also forced gamblers looking to place a bet on a game to “go underground.”

Although the bill was designed to protect the integrity of athletic competition, the bill’s wording was so vague that it led to a legal challenge from the state of New Jersey, who, despite being the home of Atlantic City, wasn’t included in the original bill. The challenge was successful, and on May 14, 2018, the US Supreme Court voted 6-3 to strike down PASPA, clearing the way for legalized sports betting across the country.

State Laws

The Federal Laws are such that in 2024 it’s possible to place a sports bet in the United States so long as the bet is not placed interstate, is made using a licensed bookmaker or casino in a state where gambling is legal.

This then clears the way for legal sports betting and gambling so long as it’s permitted within the state where you place a bet.

Understanding which states allow you to place bets online can be confusing. Gaming laws are in constant flux worldwide, and the US is no exception. While some states are more forward-thinking than others, a few states still don’t allow online gambling of any kind.

This is even true for residents of a state. Depositing funds into a gambling site without proper knowledge of the law could land you in trouble.

The Dominant Factor Test

The Dominant Factor Test determines if a game still qualifies as gambling or not, so if an element of skill is required to play it successfully, it’s not deemed gambling.

It also comes down to how important an element of skill is compared to chance is in the game’s overall outcome. Namely, if an activity has been determined to be based solely on luck, it is more than likely that activity violates state law and is therefore illegal under state law.

We’ve provided more details for each state and what the gambling laws currently are:

Alabama

A conservative state, Alabama has no lotteries or horse racing tracks, and it is one of just a handful that does not allow for any form of gambling to be conducted. Despite their attempts, Alabama legislators have been unable to introduce state-regulated sports betting to the state or to the whole state of Alabama.

Local bookies in Alabama will have to wait until the state legalizes gambling.

Alaska

Even though Alaska does not have any big professional sports teams, many people in the state enjoy putting wagers on their favorite games. While lawmakers in this state have enacted rigorous regulations for land-based gaming, the internet gambling business is still considered to be in a grey area. So our team of specialists is taking a look at some of the most reputable Alaska sports betting websites currently in operation.

Arizona

It is now possible to place bets on sporting events in Arizona! Signing up and making bets in Arizona will be available starting on September 9th, 2021, according to the company. In the first 53 days following the launch, more than $777.3 million in sports gambling wagers were placed, with virtually all of them being put through mobile sports betting applications.

The great news is that Arizona sports betting is legal, with only 20 licenses issued, ten of which were granted to the state’s professional sports teams and the other ten to the state’s federally recognized tribes.

Arkansas

California

California holds the key to online sports betting in America. As the most populous state and a leader on 3 major fronts, California’s unparalleled potential for such an industry. However, progress has been slow as gambling groups try to figure out how they can come together without compromising too many of their principles or breaking any laws along this complicated path ahead.

The future of sports betting in California is looking brighter with the Native American tribal casinos filing to legalize gambling.

Colorado

The state has a population of 5.6 million, making it the 31st largest US state, with a betting market that rivals larger markets such as Illinois (5.7 mn) and Ohio (11.7 mn). Colorado residents have embraced the legalization process and participated in their first sanctioned esports event hosted by BetRivers in January 2019.

With hundreds of new accounts created each week, the online sports betting market in Colorado is attracting wagers on a wide variety of sporting events. Individual games have reached average handle levels, making them top 10 weekly games in Las Vegas while nearly every sport and special event has seen movement.

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Sports betting in Michigan is a big deal for several reasons. First, it’s the second-largest state to legalize it. There’s a lot of excitement about how sports betting has opened up to all of Michigan, but some are still unsure what it entails. If you fall into this category, this guide is for you. Here, you’ll find what sports betting is and the options available to you in Michigan.

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

Boardwalk. The Sands. The Claridge. Tropicana. These hotels and their gambling empires existed in the golden age of Atlantic City, when the city was a destination on the East Coast, roughly between the prohibition and legalization of gambling in 1976. The fact that Atlantic City is known as one of the most famous gambling spots in history seems almost forgotten today, as does the era of glamor and glitz that it brought to what many would have considered a straightforward summer vacation destination town.

Its decline in popularity has probably led to the states’ desire to want to succeed online, which is why New Jersey offers the most options for online sportsbooks and casinos. As a result, there are more online legal casinos and sports betting than other states.

New Mexico

New York

New York was one of the first states to legalize sports betting back in 2013; however, the journey to legalizing online sportsbooks and apps has not been straightforward for the Empire State. Things are progressing slowly, with the situation set to be resolved by 2022, almost 10 years. You can read about why the road to legal online sports betting in New York has been a long one.

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Tennessee sports betting is becoming increasingly popular, even though it may not be the first location that comes to mind. Since its inception in 2020, it has had tremendous growth throughout the state. It has raised the prospect of legalizing additional forms of wagering in the future.

The actual betting scenario in Tennessee, on the other hand, is more fascinating than it appears at first glance. Tennessee, unlike other states that have authorized sports betting in both retail and online venues, has only permitted sports betting in internet venues. By doing so, they have developed a vibrant online industry – but it does mean that the state is missing out on important betting opportunities in other sections of the economy.

For the time being, gamers will discover various options available to them on this page. There are lots to choose from for a gambler in Tennessee, from online sports betting to daily fantasy sports, to name a few.

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Casinos That Accept US Players

Listed below are casinos that are known to accept players who are resident in the United States:

Lucky Red Casino

Real Time Gaming

Slotland

Club USA Casino

Win A Day Casino

Red Stag Casino

Ignition Casino

Makitone Gaming

Liberty Slots Casino

Intertops Casino Classic

Buzzluck Casino

Jackpot Capital

Miami Club Casino

iNetBet

Intertops Red Casino

Bovada Casino

BetSoft

Slots.lv

Slotastic

Lincoln Casino

All Star Slots

Grande Vegas

High Noon Casino

Aladdins Gold Casino

Gossip Slots

Manhattan Slots

Casino Extreme

Desert Nights Rival Casino

Black Lotus Casino

Drake Casino

BetChain

Kudos Casino

Diamond Reels Casino

All You Bet Casino

Cafe Casino

Vegas Crest Casino

Sun Palace Casino

mBitCasino

Lotus Asia Casino

Fonecasino

Lucky Club Casino

Grand Fortune Casino

Vegas Casino Online

Lucky Creek

Treasure Mile

Jackpot Wheel Casino

Mandarin Palace

Grand Eagle

Final Verdict

This article is intended to raise awareness about gambling in the United States and how it affects you as a participant. It’s essential to be aware that this article is not legal advice and we are not lawyers. Please see your local Government Attorney if you have any additional questions about whether you can gamble online.

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About Joe Kizlauskas

Joe is a seasoned iGaming copywriter and speaker who has been in the business since 2015. He's written more words on all elements of Casinos, Slots, Bingo & Sports Betting than he likes to remember, and he's contributed material to a number of well-known brands. Joe may be seen playing 5 a side, at the gym or playing games on his Playstation when he is not writing.