Whether you’re looking to bet on oyoslot sports, play poker, or try your hand at online lotteries, more Americans than ever are now able to gamble over the Internet. While two states – Utah and Hawaii – still ban gambling altogether, most others have legalized some form of it. The rest are either regulating it, allowing it only in licensed casinos, or both.
The legality of online gambling in the US depends on state laws and how the federal government interprets them. While many federal legislators are hostile to online gambling, the US Supreme Court’s decision to strike down PASPA has opened the door to regulation. In addition, several House representatives have introduced bills that would soften current US law on online gambling by interpreting the 1961 Wire Act as applying only to wagers placed on sporting events or contests and not games of skill.
Nevada is the first and perhaps most famous online gambling state, but it’s also one of the most restrictive. While a handful of sportsbooks have launched in the Silver State since 2020, patrons must register for an account in person and use their preferred payment method to make their first wagers. This is frustrating for anyone outside of Las Vegas and can be especially difficult if you’re visiting the state for work or vacation.
Pennsylvania, on the other hand, has seen a much more rapid uptake of its sportsbook apps. There are now more than a dozen Pennsylvania sports betting apps that accept both credit and debit cards, with most of them offering a mobile app option for easier access. Sports fans in the Keystone State can also place bets on collegiate sports, although wagers on in-state colleges and non-sporting events (like elections or awards ceremonies) are not permissible under state law.
New Jersey became the first large state to allow its residents to wager on sports and casino games online in 2013. The Garden State’s internet gambling market is overseen by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. Today, the state boasts more than two dozen different gambling sites and is a leader in the field of legalized internet gaming.
Florida, meanwhile, allows its citizens to play online casino games and place pari-mutuel bets on horse races. However, the only way to legally gamble online for real money in the Sunshine State is through social casinos.
West Virginia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania all offer legal online sports betting. Pennsylvania’s sports betting industry has been especially successful, with the state collecting millions in monthly taxes from its sportsbooks and racinos that offer online wagering. In addition to sports, Pennsylvania also has a thriving market for online poker, lottery games, daily fantasy sports, and virtual racing.