Online gambling is a growing phenomenon that is gaining popularity worldwide. Unlike the traditional casino games, online gaming allows users to wager on sports and play poker, without having to leave their homes. There are many websites that allow players to play these games. Besides the typical casino games, there are also several forms of online betting on horse racing and fantasy sports.
Many states in the US have adopted legislation that permits some form of internet gambling. New Jersey, for example, permits Internet betting on sports. The state has a gaming control board that regulates the gambling industry in the Garden State. In addition, Michigan was the fifth state in the US to legalize online poker.
While there is no national law to regulate online gambling, there are several federal statutes that are directly implicated by illegal gambling. These include the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, the Travel Act, and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.
The Travel Act regulates the sale of lottery tickets over the internet. The act also applies to Internet casinos and the use of interstate facilities for unlawful activities. However, the law has been challenged on the grounds that it encroaches on free speech.
In addition to the Travel Act, there are various state laws that govern online gambling. These laws vary from state to state. They are often based on the types of gambling that are allowed. For instance, some states permit lotteries, whereas others prohibit the activity. Others permit both offline and online casino games. Some have created their own gambling legislation, whereas others simply ban the activities altogether.
Aside from the state laws, the federal government has been actively pursuing the issue of illegal Internet gambling. In fact, the Federal Communications Commission has even begun to take action against gambling operations. This is despite the fact that the Wire Act, which was drafted before the Internet was a thing, does not cover digital wagering.
The Lawful Internet Gaming Act has positioned Michigan as a serious player in the mobile and online slots space. Its provisions are intended to make Michigan a leader in the burgeoning industry of online gambling, as well as to give the state a foot in the door in the booming fantasy sports market.
Similarly, the UIGEA contains a number of factors that help to weed out low-level online gambling cases. These include age verification, appropriate data security standards, and location verification. Also, it is worth mentioning that the federal government is able to compel financial transaction providers to stop accepting financial instruments from illegal Internet bets.
The aforementioned CRS Report RS21984 contains many citations to state gambling laws and the best known statutes. Although this document can be a little overwhelming, it does provide a good overview of the different aspects of online gambling. Moreover, it is available in an abridged form.
The most popular form of online gambling is of course poker. Poker sites can host both live and virtual tournaments, as well as offer actual cash games.