Thousands of Americans gamble online. But is online gambling legal? We break it down to show you what you can do, what you can't do, and what's still up in the air.

by Katherine Butler
updated September 03, 2020 · 2min read

If you’ve ever thought about visiting a cyber casino, here’s something you should know: it’s illegal to gamble online in the United States. “You can go to Vegas. You can go to Atlantic City. Today, gambling is legal under US federal law, although there are significant restrictions pertaining to interstate and online gambling. Each state is free to regulate or prohibit the practice within its borders. If state-run lotteries are included, almost every state can be said to allow some form of gambling.

1. There's a lot to digest when it comes to online gambling in the US, some of which needs breaking down and explaining. The goal of this website, primarily, is to put you in the picture regarding the legality of online gambling in your state while offering a complete overview of gambling in the US.
2. Legal Gambling Ages By State – States Where You Can Play Online Casinos Legally At 18+ The following is a list of all US states that allow you to gamble at 18 years old. Click the links to learn more about specific gambling laws for that particular state and how they implement their minimum gambling age requirements. We also cover information.
3. Within the U.S.A. There are legal forms of online gambling that citizens may participate in, however again, the permissibility of online wagering is not equal across state borders as individual states hold the authority to allow or prohibit various types of online gambling for their state residents.

Online Casino Legal In Usa

The legality of online gambling is ever-changing. But one thing is constant: it makes a lot of money. Online gambling industry makes an estimated $1 billion dollars annually. This is a huge business, and a lot of people have cashed in on it. But it has led to some ambiguous legal issues, as the legality of online gambling is constantly being challenged.

There are differences in the legality of making bets, taking bets, facilitating payments to casinos, and advertising on websites. And there are constantly new legal challenges. So here is a breakdown of the law on online gambling.

Legal Forms of Gambling

There is no federal law against placing a wager online. So, you can legally place a bet online. However, a wager must not be placed on a site located in the United States. There is a small chance players might run afoul of state law, but there is little chance of prosecution. The only case cited where a person got into trouble with a state was in 2003. Jeffrey Trauman of North Dakota paid a $500 fine on over $100,000 of online sports bet winnings.

Sites that are set up outside of the United States are legal. Therefore, gambling on websites located in areas like Australia, the Caribbean, and Latin America is legal. Just be very clear that the site you are playing on is not based on U.S. soil.

Definitely Not Legal Forms of Gambling

It is never legal to gamble on a website based in the United States. Also, if you are planning to operate an online gambling site, stay outside of the United States. You must also deal only with casino and poker wagers (not sports bets) from people in the US. And you cannot take bets over the phone from people in the United States.

Accepting online gambling advertising is also illegal. If you are a small publisher, you are less likely to be prosecuted, but why risk it? As of early 2009, only large and mid-size publishers had faced prosecution. In 2007, the three big search engines (Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft) each paid a fine for accepting online gambling ads, but did not face criminal charges. Other publishers, such as Esquire Magazine, have been warned by the government not to take online gambling advertising.

Facilitating the transfer of funds to online casinos is also a bad idea. As of 2006, it became illegal for American banks to process transactions originating from or directed toward any online gambling operator. Because of this, several sites then refused to take bets from American players. But as the law seems difficult to enforce, it has not turned the tide completely for American players.

Still up in the Air

Advertisers who promote sports books in magazines and on billboards may or may not face prosecution. So far, sports books have never been scrutinized for advertising online. And online casinos, poker rooms, and sports books have never been prosecuted for buying ads.

Online casinos and operators still accept American players. And international financial parties have continued to process their transactions. The legality is always changing and there have been attempts to declare online wagering against the law, but for now, U.S. citizens who simply place bets online are in the clear.

When it comes to United States Online Gambling Laws, the water is a little bit ‘murky’ to say the least. There has been some legislation put in place which restricts credit card use in regards to online gambling transactions, however specific directives prohibiting online gambling at large are not in place that span the United States as a whole. This fact is actually one of the motivations for this site. It quickly became clear that the individual states were going to need to address how they feel about online gambling within their own borders.

Most USA gambling enthusiasts don’t have a problem with the ‘states’ rights’ approach on the topic as it is likely to lend more viability to a variety of solutions, allowing the people in each state to have a voice in the matter. While this may not guarantee that online gambling will be legal in every corner of the United States in years to come, it does make it more likely that those people who want access to it will have the opportunity to keep it or make it legal where they reside. Likewise, it gives those opposed a voice in rejecting the venue. After all, this is the American way. But when it comes to down brass tacks in the here and now, there are no United States online gambling laws which completely prohibit it. The many ‘gray’ areas and non-specific language have left the real focus on payment methods, and not the actual participation in online gambling itself.

Below you will find a listing of our favorite online casinos which adhere to USA Online Gambling Laws while providing a safe, secure, exhilarating and rewarding online gambling experience. They have all been examined by a team of highly trained online gambling experiences who know precisely what to look for when determining the value and legitimacy of any online gambling site. You will also find information on their current bonus offers to help you get the most bang for your buck!

Gambling Laws By State

USA Gambling Laws

The Federal Wire Act – This US federal laws was passed in 1961 to target illegal gambling operations being run by organized crime syndicates. The law has now been applied to Internet gambling and effectively prohibits US based online sports betting. This section of our guide provides insight into the application of this law and how it affected online gambling in the United States.

The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) – This law was passed in the early 90s as an effort to curtail the expansion of legal sports betting in the US. It effectively banned physical sportsbook businesses across the country. There are four states that were exempted from the restrictions of this law, including Nevada, Delaware, Montana and Oregon. On May 14, 2018, PASPA was ruled to be unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court, who lifted the ban on US based sports betting. This page of our website provides insight into PASPA and the states that are challenging the constitutionality of it.

Online Gambling Legal Texas

The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) – This law really has nothing to do with gamblers themselves, but rather is directed at gambling business operators and payment processors. This laws does not prohibit any type of online gambling and was passed to provide regulatory oversight concerning gambling related transactions and how they are processed. This page will explain the intent and application of this law and how it impacts the US gambling market.

Popular USA Online Gambling Sections

USA Online Casinos – Specifically for USA online gambling enthusiasts who love an exciting casino gaming experience that is also safe, secure, and delivers the optimal gaming platform performance, we have developed this section to ensure you have all the information you need to engage in an online casino gambling opportunity that exceeds your expectations!

USA Online Poker – Online poker has become incredibly popular over the last few years, and has become one of the most successful online gambling venue out there. We have developed a guide specifically for the discerning poker enthusiast who refuses to compromise on the quality of their poker game platform, and who demands a standard of excellence from their preferred USA online poker sites.

USA Online Sportsbooks – All sports betting buffs will love this section that highlights information information regarding the USA online sportsbook industry, as well as provides one click access to the top USA online sportsbooks on the Web!

USA Online Bingo – If its the thrills and frills of online bingo you seek, then this USA online bingo guide will become your most valuable resource for finding the highest quality, most riveting, and most rewarding online bingo action out there!

Legal Online Gambling – Get all the information you need to enjoy Legal Online Gambling, whether your gaming preferences lie with casino games, poker, sports betting, or bingo – we’ve got you covered by providing information on the best legal USA online gambling sites.

Online Gambling Legal In Usa

Online Gambling Laws – Get the 411 surrounding online gambling laws for your state. Find out which online casinos, poker rooms, sportsbooks, or bingo halls are available for you to enjoy an exhilarating online gambling experience that is also legal!!