Technically, gambling online is prohibited in the U.S. Thanks to the Federal Wire Act; most states did not have any form of online gambling until 2011. After that, Illinois and New York started selling online lottery tickets. But, they sought guidance from the justice department because they did not want to violate federal laws.
The justice department issued a memorandum in 2011 which stated that it had reinterpreted the Wire Act. In the communication, they stated that the Wire Act only applied to sports betting and not other forms of gambling. Consequently, this interpretation paved the way for many types of online gambling, making it legal in various states.
States That Have Legalized Online Gambling
Currently, several states allow online gambling after realizing they can take advantage of that opportunity. From these states, you can access the most trusted online casinos for U.S. players who love online gambling. Furthermore, many states prefer online gambling because it is easier to regulate, shrinking the chances of gamblers getting hurt as they wager.
Additionally, allowing online gambling enables the states to benefit from the industry’s massive tax revenues. Some of the states that have legalized online gambling include:
Connecticut
Online casinos went live in Connecticut in 2021, giving players two options. The state only has tribal casinos meaning you cannot find other big brands in the Constitution State. Although online casinos are accessible to players in the state, they cannot play online poker.
Delaware
Delaware was the first U.S. state to legalize online gambling. However, they were not the first state to launch online casinos. They opted to keep their online casino offers in-house. For example, all three state casinos host brands which work closely with Delaware Lottery, the gambling regulator in the state.
The state’s size limits the growth of the industry. Nonetheless, there remain many options for online casino gaming in the state.
West Virginia
West Virginia is among the first states to accept online sports betting. Currently, players can access up to four online casinos, with more expected to go live soon. All online casinos are answerable to the West Virginia Lottery Commission.
Pennsylvania
Online casinos in Pennsylvania went live in 2019. It started with two online casino options before expanding to offer a wide range of online casino options. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board regulates all online casinos in the state.
Michigan
The Great Lakes State launched online casinos in 2021 and has been making many waves. Players in the state can access over a dozen online casino apps.
You can also find smaller operators in the state. The Michigan Gaming Control Board regulates all gambling operators in the state. Additionally, the state offers legal sports betting.
New Jersey
New Jersey is regarded as the legal gambling hub in the USA. This is because the state is home to more online gambling platforms and sportsbooks than the other states.
It was among the first U.S. states to legalize online gambling, and you can find over 20 online casinos in the state. You can be sure you’ll get top-quality online casino service because top brands are among the options. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement checks the gambling activities in the state.
