Although new online casinos are popping up at a steady rate, the legislation and regulations don’t always work out in the favor of U.S. players. However, many players have found that there are ways around the rules. The best way to view this approach is that the rules on whether or not online gambling is legal in the United States remain very unclear. Even with the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) of 2006 in full effect, there are still no federal laws in place that prevent U.S. citizens from participating in online gambling or other related activities. Of course gambling experts and fans all believe things should be completely legal across the board, but there are some rules and regulations that could land you in hot water if you are not careful.
Where and Why
Different states have different laws regarding internet gambling and these regulations can impact those who attempt to play. In the early days of the internet, online gambling wasn’t so much of an issue of U.S. legislation as it depended on which state you reside in. In some ways, it still does. For example, Nevada, Illinois, Michigan and Louisiana have outlawed online gambling and many other states are looking to introduce similar legislation. California, Utah, Massachusetts and South Dakota forbid certain types of online gambling but allow others.
The reason why many states ban online gambling, Nevada in particular, is to protect the revenues generated from their land-based casinos. There is a method the madness. These states feel that because online casinos don’t have to reside in the U.S., there is no way for the states and federal governments to impose taxes on them. This was definitely the case when the Commonwealth of Kentucky seized 141 gambling domains and demanded that the owners block their sites so Kentucky residents couldn’t access them. Both the Kentucky and UIGEA suite make a great deal of the supposed social ramifications of online gambling and a priority to highlight its negative effects. At the heart of the matter however, is a desire to keep money in the U.S. and continuously draw on a highly lucrative taxable industry. Even Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear admitted that he supports legalizing land-based casinos and would prefer to protect the state’s horse racing industry from the competition of online gambling.
Getting Around the System
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States such as Kentucky are mainly based on the UIGEA’s open-ended outlook on what constitutes as illegal internet gambling. It should be reiterated that major loopholes can be found within the law, those in which don’t prohibit local operators from taking online bets while complying with state laws. As United States nationals generally participate in online casinos that are completely legal, it seems very improbable that state or federal governments would ever be able to gather a legal framework that allows the full prohibition of online gambling or prosecute the operators themselves.
What does all this mean to you? Know the laws and regulations of online gambling as they relate to your state. Find yourself a reputable casino and if the coast is clear, pull the virtual lever until your heart is content.
