Online gambling has become a hot topic in the United States. In addition to traditional gambling, including sports betting, casinos, and lotteries, a growing number of states have legalized online gaming. Some, such as Arizona and Maryland, have even launched sportsbooks. Others, such as Indiana and Massachusetts, are set to do so in the near future.
Gambling is any activity that involves the exchange of a prize or chance. This can include pool-selling, bookmaking, selling chances, and even conducting lotteries and bolita games. However, the most popular type of gambling is online sports betting. Most Americans have access to the internet, which makes the process of placing a bet on a sporting event much easier. The Internet also allows gamblers to place bets from their mobile devices. While many states have already authorized online gambling, most have yet to see a significant increase in its numbers.
On the state level, online gambling is primarily regulated by the state where the gambling activity occurs. While the federal government does not have jurisdiction over most types of gambling, there are many federal statutes which may be implicated in an illegal internet wager. These statutes are often used in conjunction with state law to make it harder to prosecute those who engage in these activities.
As of today, there are three states where online casinos are currently licensed for operation: Nevada, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. Those states are currently the only places where legal online gambling is permitted. Other states, such as New Jersey, are considering allowing their residents to participate in online gambling.
Ohio has been moving toward offering more robust online gambling options. Currently, there are 11 true gambling locations in the state, including several racetracks. Over the summer, the Ohio Gaming Commission accepted applications from business owners and operators for licenses to provide online gambling services. Although there are no online casinos available in Ohio, there are several other types of online gambling that are permitted.
For instance, the Liechtenstein International Lottery was the first online gambling venue for the general public. Other sites have included sportsbooks operated by BetMGM and Caesars. Several Native American tribes, such as the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, have entered into agreements with sportsbooks such as FanDuel. Likewise, there are dozens of retail and online sportsbooks that have announced partnerships.
The best place to find out about legal online gambling in your state is to visit this page. It contains links to state laws, a directory of websites, and other important information. If you are looking for more information about gambling, you can also check out the Marquette Sports Law Journal.
Another good resource is the CRS Report RS21984 and RS22749, both of which have been abridged. They provide a thorough analysis of the various aspects of the law, as well as an extensive citation list to the statutes that are cited. Obviously, not all of these resources can be consulted in detail, but they offer a general overview.