Legal Us Gambling Websites

4/4/2022by admin

Legal online gambling in the US is complicated to understand. With a patchwork of different laws in each state and an overall trend of increasing the availability of online gambling, there are constantly shifting sands. Some states, like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan are quite liberal in allowing legal online casinos and legal online sports betting. Almost half of the states allow legal online sports betting or are in the process of launching online sportsbooks.

Top US States With Legal Online Casinos

New Jersey

New Jersey stands as a pioneer in the legal US online casino industry. The Garden State legalized online casinos in February 2013, with the first of the state’s platforms launching in November 2013. More than 20 mobile casinos operate in New Jersey, the most in any US state. Golden Nugget Casino, Betfair/FanDuel Casino, and DraftKings Casino lead the pack as the most popular online casinos in the state.

Pennsylvania

One of the US leaders in retail gambling revenue, Pennsylvania lawmakers passed legislature approving online casinos in October 2017. Pennsylvania’s first state-regulated mobile casinos launched in July 2019. With more than 10 online casinos already launched, and more to come, Pennsylvania is second only to New Jersey in the US legal mobile casino market. FanDuel Casino, BetRivers Casino, and SugarHouse Online Casino stand atop the Pennsylvania mobile casino market.

Gambling is deemed completely legal at the federal level, but state-based governments control its practice and regulation of legal USA gambling sites. If you intend to partake in the activity but hesitate due to concerns regarding the legality of US gambling sites, fear not! Yes, online gambling is legal in the US. Some states have gone as far to regulated and provide licenses for legal online gambling sites to operate and accept residents from their states. Not all sites are legal though, so make sure to understand the laws in your particular state.

However, many gambling websites worldwide accept American players, and even a few local casinos in states with legal gambling. With so many questions about legal gambling in the US and the reliability of online betting sites, it’s easy to get confused by these online gambling sites. For starters, the majority of legal states maintain a running list of approved operators on their websites under the division of gambling section or its equivalent. There’s also the eye test. When an operator is legit, it will point users to the right places for information on things such as legality and responsible gambling. But in a select few states, legal gambling frameworks have been expanded and also include online casinos and online poker sites. As will become clear throughout this guide, the laws around gambling in the US are very different from state-to-state.

Michigan

While Michigan legalized online gambling in December 2019, it looks as though online casinos will not be available to folks in the state until late 2020 or early 2021. The launch of casino gaming sites will likely coincide with online poker, but legal Michigan online sportsbooks are set to hit the market by November 2020.

West Virginia

The West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act becoming law in March 2019, which legalized both online casinos and online poker. This followed the legalization of online sports betting the prior year. Although it took some time to enact regulations and approve licenses, the first West Virginia online casino launched in the summer of 2020. DraftKings West Virginia partnered with Hollywood Casino at Charleston Races.

Delaware

Delaware passed legislation in 2012 to become the first state to legalize online casinos. Delaware’s mobile casinos are consolidated into a single platform, which launched in November 2013. The platform operates as a joint venture among Delaware’s three retail casinos and 888 Holdings.

Nevada

Nevada passed laws in February 2013 to legalize online poker. The state also legalized online sports betting, but it is unlikely we will see online casinos coming to Nevada any time soon. The casino lobby is strong in Nevada and they want bodies in the retail casinos, not betting from home.

Top States With Legal Online Sports Betting

New Jersey

Lawmakers in New Jersey legalized online sports betting in June 2018. The first of the state’s mobile sportsbooks launched in August 2018. New Jersey leads the US in legal online sports betting revenue, with more than 80 percent of the state’s overall sports betting handle coming from mobile wagering. FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook top the list of highest-earning mobile sportsbooks in New Jersey.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s expansion into legal online sports betting began with a package of bills passed in October 2017. State-regulated online sportsbooks began to launch in May 2019. Pennsylvania bettors enjoy access to many different mobile sports betting platforms, with FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbooks emerging as the market leaders in the state.

Colorado

The Centennial State joined the list of US states offering legal online sports betting on May 1, 2020. After state residents voted to legalize online sports betting in November 2019, Colorado’s retail casinos quickly went to work on the launch of a mobile sportsbook. When the Colorado legal sports betting market reaches its full potential, bettors could have access to 20 or more different online sportsbook brands.

Michigan

Michigan appears poised to become a major online sports betting market in the US. The state legalized both retail and mobile sports betting in December 2019. The state’s tribal and commercial casinos will eventually operate online sportsbooks in Michigan. The launch of those platforms is pending but could happen by 2021.

Nevada

Nevada legalized online sports betting in 2013, and they attract both local bettors as well as folks in neighboring California, where sports betting isn’t legal in any form. The sportsbook apps include all the major brands, which also have brick-and-mortar locations in Vegas and Reno.

Illinois

While Illinois legalized online sports betting in June 2019 with the stipulation that bettors need to register in-person for the first 18 months. While that was lifted during the coronavirus shutdowns, BetRivers was the only operating sports betting app at the time, and the rule was quickly reinstated. In January 2021, remote registrations will be legalized permanently – and several other brands will enter the market, including William Hill, DraftKings, and PointsBet.

Tennessee

Tennessee recently legalized online sports betting and the first online sportsbooks launched on November 1, 2020. National brands such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM launched on the first of the month as well as Action 24/7. Additional sportsbooks are expected to launch in 2021.

Legal Online Casinos In The US

When it comes to casino gaming, there are only a handful of legal online gambling states. New Jersey leads the US in online casino revenue, with Pennsylvania’s up and coming mobile casino market showing signs of major growth. This is not surprising considering NJ was the first to market with legal online gambling platforms on a massive scale. While these two states lead the field in the US market, Delaware was the first US state to pass legislation legalizing online casinos.

New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Delaware are the only four states where online casinos are currently live. Michigan legalized online casinos, but the launch of mobile casino platforms is still pending. No other states are likely to legalize online casinos anytime soon. This means that any growth in legal US online gambling will come from the expansion of online sports betting.

Leaders In The US Online Casino Market

The expansion into the online casino market for fantasy sports giants DraftKings and FanDuel has proven successful for both companies so far. FanDuel Casino debuted in Pennsylvania in January 2020 and immediately rose to the state’s top spot in revenue earned. Betfair Casino, which is integrated into the FanDuel Sportsbook New Jersey platform, is the top-earning online casino in New Jersey.

DraftKings Casino immediately placed among New Jersey’s leading online casino brand upon its December 2018 launch. The brand debuted a platform in Pennsylvania in May 2020 and its West Virginia platform launched in July 2020. Other top online casinos include New Jersey’s Golden Nugget Casino, long considered the gold standard for legal mobile casinos in the US.

DraftKings Casino

DraftKings Casino is arguably the best online casino platform in the US, offering a huge selection of games, including exclusive versions of blackjack, roulette, and video poker.

The DraftKings Casino also offers a competitive first-deposit bonus of 20% up to $500.

Like with FanDuel, a single DraftKings login can be used to access the online sportsbook, casino, and daily fantasy sports as long as your state offers all three. However, you’ll need to download the DraftKings Casino app separately from the DraftKings Sportsbook or DFS apps.

FanDuel Casino

The FanDuel Casino is currently available in Pennsylvania by that name. In New Jersey, FanDuel partnered with Betfair to offer online casino games.

For New Jersey, you can use the same login and bankroll to access the FanDuel Sportsbook and DFS platform as well as Betfair Casino and Poker.

In both PA and NJ, the FanDuel Casino lets new members play risk-free for the first 24 hours, refunding net losses up to $200.

BetMGM

If you’re in New Jersey or West Virginia, you have full access to all the BetMGM casino games and the full sportsbook. On the casino side, you’ll find all the titles you’re familiar with at the MGM brick-and-mortar casinos as well as some table games. While the selection doesn’t compare to that at DraftKings or BetFair, there will be something that fits your style of play.

Games Offered At US Online Casinos

Legal mobile casinos in the US offer many of the same games enjoyed by players at retail casinos. Like their land-based counterparts, online casinos offer slots as the main attraction on the gaming menu.

Platforms like Golden Nugget Casino in New Jersey give players hundreds of slot variants to choose from, including progressive jackpot slots. Blackjack, baccarat, craps, roulette, and other casino table games are readily available on mobile casino platforms as well.

Live dealer games, which allow online players the chance to interact with a live dealer and other players, are offered by many legal online casinos.

Bonuses Available At Online Casinos

New players can take advantage of deposit match bonuses at some online casinos. These bonuses match the player’s first deposit with bonus money equal to a percentage of the deposit. For example, at DraftKings Casino, they offer a 20% first deposit match up to $500.

Other bonuses include risk-free days, which refund players on losses within the first 24 hours after depositing. Some online casinos also offer free sign-up bonuses, which award casino credit to new players just for signing up.

Legal Online Sports Betting In The US

The overturn of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May 2018 ushered in a new paradigm of legal sports betting in the US. The Supreme Court of the United States ruled PASPA as unconstitutional.

This paved the way for individual states to legalize both retail and online sports betting. The reversal of PASPA led to several states launching legal online sports betting. New Jersey holds the spot as the top-earning state in the US market.

An upward trend in mobile sports betting is emerging in states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In both states, mobile sports wagering accounts for more than 80 percent of the total sports betting handle for the state. Online sportsbooks appear poised to thrive in the US, as bettors enjoy the convenience and ease of access to betting on mobile apps.

Biggest Online Sportsbook Brands

DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook set the bar as the top-earning legal online sportsbook brands in the US market. Both brands operate in multiple US states, taking the top spots in revenue earned in each state in which they operate.

New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Indiana all have FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook at the top of the list in revenues. FOX Bet, a partnership between the Stars Group and Fox Sports, is another brand taking root in the emerging US mobile sports betting market. PointsBet, BetRivers, and theScore Bet are all brands that will eventually operate in multiple US states.

DraftKings Sportsbook

The DraftKings Sportsbook boasts the best performing app in US sports betting. There’s rarely any glitches or unexpected quitting, which is, unfortunately, a common feature of many other sportsbook apps. And the overall quality extends to the highly competitive odds and lucrative promotions, including loyalty points, welcome bonuses, and ongoing promos.

FOX Bet Sportsbook

FOX Bet is the best online sportsbook in terms of immersing yourself in the sports broadcasting world. On top of the high-quality odds and platform, the brand features sports personalities and experts as well as exclusive betting coverage. If you like watching FOX Sports and sports betting, it’s practically essential, especially because you can give it a try with a risk-free first bet.

BetRivers Sportsbook

The BetRivers Sportsbook is the online version of Rivers Casino. Currently available in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Colorado, and Illinois, it’s one of the best quality online sportsbooks currently available in the US. Unfortunately, they did not have an app at the time of writing this article, but it’s “coming soon.” Hopefully, it will have a level of stability that lives up to the web browser version of their sportsbook, which is exceptional at every level.

Sports To Bet On At US Online Sportsbooks

Major US sports leagues like the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB are open for betting at US online sportsbooks without restrictions. This includes betting on the Super Bowl, World Series, Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the NBA Finals.

Other major betting markets on US sports include NASCAR, MMA, boxing, golf, and tennis.

For racing, golf, and other sports where players place first, second, third, and so on, you can place pari-mutuel betting in a similar way to horse racing. However, online betting on horse racing is usually separate from the sportsbook because the state regulations are different.

For example, horse racing is available to players 18 and up, while online sports betting is 21 and up in all states.

Aside from that, you can place bets on a range of odds at online sportsbooks, including points spread, futures, Over/Under, and parlays.

Betting On College Sports

College sports betting is available on mobile sports betting apps in the US. However, some states have restrictions on betting on in-state teams and events.

One of the most noteworthy examples is Illinois, where you can’t bet on the Fighting Illini, Illinois State, Loyola, or any other in-state college.

Apart from those exceptions, the full schedule of games for major college sports like football and basketball is open for wagering. This includes legal March Madness pools, which is the most popular form of sports gambling in the US.

Betting On International Sports At US Sportsbooks

US online sportsbooks also offer a full slate of international sports betting markets. International leagues in soccer, basketball, baseball, football, rugby, and many other sports can be bet by US players at legal mobile sportsbooks.

The most popular include the English Football League, the UEFA Champions League, and, of course, the World Cup. All the major online sportsbooks in the US will have these competitions well represented, including unique player props and in-game betting opportunities.

Esports Betting At US Online Sportsbooks

No US states have specific legislation in place to permit esports betting. Some esports events, however, have been open for betting at times in Nevada and New Jersey. As esports events continue to garner mainstream attention, US states could start passing legislation explicitly allowing esports betting at legal online sportsbooks.

Bonuses Available At Online Sportsbooks

Almost all legal online gambling sites offer some type of sign-up bonus as well as regular promotions. The bonuses available at online sportsbooks range somewhat between the different options. And remember, there’s no law against joining multiple sports betting sites and apps to take advantage of all the bonus offers you’d like.

The four main types of bonuses at an online sportsbook include:

  • Deposit-match bonuses
  • Risk-free betting
  • Odds boosters
  • Loyalty points

Sportsbooks will also regularly offer free contests. For example, DraftKings hosted a free NFL fantasy football promo for a million-dollar prize at the beginning of the 2020/21 season. And Illinois sportsbooks will have a similar free-to-play option for March Madness, as taking bets on in-state college schools, including March Madness pools, is prohibited.

Important: Make sure to read all the terms and conditions for a sportsbook promo before you opt-in. Some are tied to specific types of bets or require you to bet a certain amount before you can withdraw. Remember, you can always choose not to use a bonus and just play with exactly as much as you deposited.

Legal Online Poker In The US

State-regulated online poker sites operate in a handful of states. Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware form the only interstate online poker network in the US. Players on WSOP.com or the 888 Poker network in those states can compete against each other in a merged interstate player pool. Pennsylvania legalized online poker in October 2017.

In November 2019, PokerStars PA became Pennsylvania’s first legal online poker site to launch. West Virginia and Michigan both legalized online poker, with both states expected to launch products by 2021. Michigan online poker is particularly exciting because of the size of the market and the potential player pool.

Top Online Poker Brands In The US

WSOP.com launched in Nevada in September 2013 and followed up with a New Jersey-only platform in November 2013. 888 Poker launched in Delaware in November 2013. The WSOP and 888 Poker platforms in the three states entered into the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) in October 2017.

The agreement combined the player pools from those sites into the first legal multi-state online poker network in the US. The three-state network of sites debuted in April 2018. PokerStars also operates legal online poker platforms in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In each state, players can only play against other in-state players.

Games Available At US Online Poker Sites

US online poker sites offer cash games, multi-table tournaments, and Sit N Gos at a variety of stakes. Texas Hold’em is the main attraction on these platforms, but players can also find Pot Limit Omaha and other poker variants as well. Live dealer poker games are not currently offered at US legal online poker sites.

Legal Online Daily Fantasy Sports

The first modern-era Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) platforms began appearing on the US landscape in 2007. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006 ruled that DFS contests were skill games, and therefore not banned under the anti-gambling mandate of the UIGEA. The UIGEA seemingly gave DFS operators the green light to operate across the US.

As DFS sites like FanDuel and DraftKings gained popularity, however, some individual states began to question their legality. As of 2020, DFS sites are legal and regulated in about 25 states. Several other states allow DFS platforms to operate without explicit legislation. DFS sites operate in around 40 US states overall.

Biggest DFS Platforms

FanDuel and DraftKings dominate the US market. The two sites combined account for 95 percent of DFS revenue in the US. FanDuel launched in 2009, and DraftKings went live in the US in 2012. The two brands exploded in popularity in the mid-2010s, with players attracted to seven-figure payouts for the biggest contests on the sites.

DFS platforms run contests that cover the full slate of US major sports. Players can compete in DFS events that include the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, NASCAR, college football, MMA, and many others. Esports contests also run on DFS platforms.

Visit: DraftKings DFS

Legal Online Horse Racing In The US

The origins of online horse race betting, the oldest form of legal online gambling in the US, go back to the 1970s. New York became the first state outside of Nevada to legalize off-track betting (OTB) in 1970. OTB parlors allowed bettors to wager on races across the US. These facilities proved popular for New York bettors.

Later in the decade, The US Congress passed the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978. The act explicitly legalized off-track betting across state lines. An amendment to the Interstate Horse Racing Act was added in 2000 to allow internet-based wagering. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006 banned interstate internet gambling transactions but contained language to exclude horse race betting from the ban.

Biggest Online Horse Racing Brands

Online horse race betting is legal in 40 states. TwinSpires, TVG, and BetAmerica are the three biggest brands in the legal US online horse racing industry. These apps allow for mobile wagering on races from more than 400 racetracks. Domestic and international events are available to bettors on these apps.

Legal Online Lottery In The US

In 2011, the US Department of Justice issued an opinion on The Federal Wire Act that paved the way for states to offer online lottery ticket sales. Illinois became the first US state with legal online lottery sales in 2012. A total of seven states offer online lottery, also including Georgia, Michigan, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire. New Jersey became the latest state to offer online lottery in 2019.

Online Lottery Games And Bonuses Offered

In states offering online lottery sales, players can purchase instant win tickets, as well as entries into in-state drawing games. Online lottery apps also offer the purchase of entries into multi-state lotteries like Powerball and MegaMillions. Some online lottery apps offer sign-up bonuses for new players. The Pennsylvania iLottery, for example, offers $5 in free play for signing up. The first deposit on the Pennsylvania iLottery app is eligible for a 100% match bonus up to $250.

Check out our Lottery Numbers Generator before purchasing your online lottery tickets.

Online Sweepstakes In The US

Sweepstakes casino sites operate legally in most of the US. These platforms offer US players the opportunity to play online casino games and online poker for real cash prizes. In states without regulated online casinos, sweepstakes sites are the best option for players looking for the authentic casino gaming experience online.

Biggest Sweepstakes Brands In The US

Chumba Casino, and its sister site, Global Poker, sit atop the list of legal sweepstakes gaming sites in the US. Both sites are owned by European company VGW Holdings. Players in 49 states can access Global Poker and Chumba Casino. Only Washington state outlaws sweepstakes gaming sites.

Games At Sweepstakes Sites

Chumba Casino offers more than 60 different slots, including progressive jackpot slots with seven-figure grand prizes. The Chumba Casino game menu also includes blackjack, video poker, and roulette. Global Poker runs cash games, multi-table tournaments, and Jackpot Sit N Go tournaments at a variety of stakes. Global Poker’s availability across the US makes it one of the highest-traffic online poker sites in the country.

Top States Offering Online Gambling

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MichiganLegal; expected 2021Legal; expected 2021Legal; expected 2021LegalLegalLegalLegal
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What Deposit Options Are Available On Legal Online Gambling Sites In The US?

Deposit Methods

State-regulated online gambling sites in the US offer several secure methods for player deposits. The most universally accepted deposit method across legal online gambling sites is ACH/eCheck. With a valid US bank account, players of legal gambling age can deposit and see the funds available instantaneously at their chosen online gambling platform. Other deposit methods include debit cards, prepaid cards, PayPal, and eWallets like Skrill and Neteller. Casino cage deposit at the retail casino operating an online platform is another option for players to deposit funds.

Withdrawal Methods

ACH/eCheck, prepaid cards, eWallets, PayPal, and casino cage withdrawal are all methods available for players to cash out from legal online gambling sites. Players can also request a withdrawal through check by mail and wire transfer.

How Do I Know My Funds Are Safe On A Legal Online Gambling Site?

State-regulated online gambling sites are owned and operated by retail casinos. These casinos are regulated by government agencies in their respective states. These agencies, like Pennsylvania’s Gaming Control Board, oversee the state’s casino industry and ensure accountability, transparency, and safety of player funds. As part of the multi-billion dollar legal gambling industry, US casinos operate with a vested interest in the security of player deposits and withdrawals.

FAQ – Commonly Asked Questions About Legal Online Gambling In The US

Yes. Federal law in the US permits individual states to offer legal online casinos. These online platforms are owned and operated by legal land-based casinos in the US.Online casinos are overseen by government regulatory agencies in their respective states. All legal online casino sites will display the seal of the governing body from their respective state. Pennsylvania’s mobile casino sites, for example, display the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board seal.Offshore gambling sites, or any site not bearing an official seal from a US governing agency, are operating illegally in the US.

Yes. Like online casinos, individual states are permitted to determine their own legislation relating to online sports betting.The overturn of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018 cleared the way for states to legalize sports betting, both retail and online, at a state level.

Do I Need To Pay Taxes On Gambling Winnings To The IRS Or To The State?

Both. In most states, gambling winnings are subject to state tax rates for both residents and non-residents.Federal taxes must be paid on winnings of $5,000 or more. Casinos will automatically withhold the appropriate tax contributions in the case of a $5,000 or higher win. The federal tax rate on gambling winnings is 25 percent.

How Do I Find The Best Bonuses Available Now On Online Gambling Sites?

Most online gambling sites offer bonuses for new players. These bonuses can come in the form of deposit matches, free sign-up bonuses, risk-free days, and other promotions.Sites like Colorado Sharp and Bonus.com present comprehensive menus of bonuses available at state-regulated online casinos.

Can I Play Online Casino Games From My Cell Phone Or Tablet?

Yes. Nearly all legal online gambling sites can be downloaded as mobile apps. For iOS devices, these apps are found in the App Store.For Android devices, apps must be downloaded directly from the website of the respective online casino. The Google Play store does not allow downloads of real-money gambling apps.

Yes, if done on a legal, state-regulated online casino platform. Legal online gambling sites are owned and operated by land-based casinos. As such, gambling at these sites offers the same secure experience as gambling at a legal retail casino.State-regulated online casinos are overseen by the same government agencies that regulate land-based casinos.

Yes. Online casinos, and the retail casinos that operate them, are obligated by state laws to present fair games. Games at online casinos operate exactly as they’re presented by official game rules.Government regulatory agencies oversee state casino industries. This ensures fairness, safety, and transparency from online casinos.

How Do I Know Whether An Online Gambling Site Is Legal?

Legal online gambling sites bear the official seal of the gaming enforcement agency overseeing the state. Pennsylvania’s legal online casinos, for example, all display the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board seal.Online gambling sites not displaying a regulatory seal are not operating legally in the US.

Providing information about legal online gambling in the United States is exactly what this page is dedicated to. While the thriving gambling industry includes both brick-and-mortar and online gambling businesses, we focus on online gambling, which is by far the more popular of the two types. The state-by-state legality of online gambling is a contentious topic among legislators, but more states are adopting online gambling legislation every year.

Even in states that don’t offer online gambling, residents can still gamble online using international gambling websites—that is, gambling websites that are based in other countries. Even for players for whom there are no state-licensed options available, international gambling websites are a safe and legal alternative. These international sites offer access to every imaginable form of gambling, including, but not limited to, poker, sports betting, blackjack, casino table games, slots, and bingo.

Current State Of Legal Online Gambling In The USA

Legal online gambling in the U.S. is still in its early formative stages. With the announcement in late 2019 that West Virginia would be legalizing full online casino gambling, it became just the fourth such state in the union. While popular attitudes toward gambling are becoming more positive, the United States still has a long way to go before online gambling is normalized and broadly accepted. While legislators bring methodical change to gambling laws, online gambling through international websites has evolved into a thriving business, with American consumers betting billions of dollars through online gambling sites every month.

Is Online Gambling Legal In The USA?

Yes, online gambling is legal in the U.S. While the majority of states are either lacking or completely devoid of state-regulated online gambling, internationally licensed gambling websites are legal for people across the country. Legal forms of online gambling include poker, blackjack, roulette, slots, daily fantasy, and sports betting, among many others. These websites are still regulated by international gambling agencies to ensure that they are fair to their players and that they meet both ethics and quality standards, but the only legal requirement for most U.S. players to register with an international gambling site is that they be at least 18 years old with valid ID.

Types Of Legal USA Online Gambling

Any form of gambling that is legal at a casino is also legal online, along with many others that aren’t available in casinos. Legal forms of online gambling range from different common variations of poker to live dealer baccarat to political election betting. Each of these subcategories of gambling supports its own thriving player community of players. It’s worth looking through the offerings of a handful of major international gambling websites to see what they games they offer, as it likely won’t take long to find something novel and interesting. Here are a few popular forms of online gambling. This is not a complete list:

  • Poker
  • Blackjack
  • Sports Betting
  • Pari-Mutuel Wagering
  • Slots
  • Bingo
  • Keno
  • Lottery games
  • Roulette
  • Baccarat
  • Squares Games

Legal Sports Betting

After the 2018 Supreme Court decision to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), it became legal for individual states to determine the legality of sports betting within their own borders. In that relatively short time frame, over 20 states have since passed bills legalizing sports betting, with Washington being the most recent. With every state setting its own laws, there is a lot of variability between each state in terms of offerings and availability.

For those who don’t want to spend hours reading through the dense text of each state’s sports betting bill, global online sportsbooks are a nice, simple alternative. Their regulations governing player eligibility are nice and streamlined. If you are 18 years old, you are eligible to create an account and wager on sporting events all over the world. When you go to withdraw your winnings, you will be asked to show proof of ID.

Legal Online Casinos

There are four states that have legalized online casino gambling: Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. West Virginia has not yet launched any in-state online casinos. Online casino gaming is legal in all states through regulated global online casinos like Ignition and Café Casino. Every game that you would expect to find in a normal retail casino is also available through these legal international online casinos, including roulette, craps, baccarat, poker, and slots.

Online casinos offer a number of advantages over their brick-and-mortar counterparts. They offer 24/7 gaming capability with full-time customer service staff available through multiple means of communication. Online casinos also offer unmatched convenience with the ability to play from anywhere using any wi-fi or data-connected device. With optimized mobile sites designed from the ground up for a touch screen, it’s easy to begin playing from literally anywhere. Finally, they offer huge deposit bonuses that can be worth upwards of $3,000.

Legal Online Poker Sites

Like broader online casinos, online poker is legal in a small handful of states, but for most Americans, international poker websites are the way to go. To play online poker, bettors will need to download a site’s custom-designed online poker software. Each site’s software will have its own selection of poker variants to choose from, with some offering the option to play both multi-player variants online against human opponents and single-player variants (like three-card stud) against a computer dealer. All the same benefits of online casinos are available to online poker players, including deposit bonuses, advanced infrastructure, and easy banking.

Legal Horse Betting Sites

Horse betting offers more options right now than traditional sports betting, and its is legal in nearly 30 different states. All states that have licensed horse racing tracks also offer online wagering which offer a great selection of betting options for local and regional races. Players can also wager on larger national and international horse races through global sportsbooks like Bovada. These larger sportsbooks offer a wider selection of prop bets, although they don’t have the same great selection of smaller races to choose from.

DFS Sites

Legal us sports betting websites

Daily fantasy sports (DFS) are legal in 43 out of 50 states, with all major DFS operators being available in 38 out of 50. DFS games are much like traditional fantasy sports, except that lineups reset after every game, which reduces the catastrophic effect that one injury or suspension can have on a fantasy player’s season. Most DFS sites also offer additional features to mitigate bad luck, like late lineup drops and a system of dropping the lowest scoring player from each DFS lineup. DFS games are available for every major professional sports league in the U.S.

Online Lottery Sites

The only states that offer legal online lottery sales are:

  • Georgia
  • Kentucky
  • Illinois
  • Michigan
  • New Hampshire
  • Pennsylvania

While lottery ticket sales are often the single biggest producer of gambling revenue in a state, backlash from licensed lottery retailers like gas station owners, along with concerns about potentially enabling gambling addition in youths, have prevented most states from adopting online lottery ticket sales. For now, only six states have an online lottery (Minnesota was a seventh, but the state’s gas station owners successfully lobbied against it). There are no reputable licensed international online lotteries, so if you don’t live in one of these states, don’t try to buy lottery tickets online.

Legal Online Slots

Slot machines are one of the most popular and accessible ways to gamble. Everyone, from gamblers with decades of experience to Grandma Betty visiting a casino for the first time ever, can pick up slots immediately. Online slots offer the same simplicity and even more flexibility. Online slot machine design is the same as physical slot machine design, except online slots do not require bulky, expensive machines to run. As a result, slots websites can offer a wider selection of slots to larger groups of players. Each of these machines offers players the ability to set their own bet level too, which is great for ensuring that players never have to risk more than they are comfortable with.

Esports Betting Sites

Esports betting has surged in popularity over the last two years as an alternative (or an addition) to traditional sports betting. E-sports are similar in function and structure to traditional sports, except the “sport” being played is a video game. Despite being much maligned by popular media, esports athletes are still dedicated and hard-working practitioners of a difficult craft that put countless hours into what they do. They compete in intense matches that can be immensely fun to watch and bet on. The most popular e-sports betting sites are generally going to be the same international gambling sites that offer sports betting, with e-sports usually being lumped in as another category of sports betting.

Mobile Gambling In The USA

Mobile gambling is largely regulated under the purview of online gambling in the United States. A decent number of states offer mobile sports betting, but only three offer fully legal mobile gambling. In the states that license and regulate online and mobile gambling platforms, consumers can download dedicated mobile gambling apps. These apps are relatively barebones compared to a full casino experience, but they get the job done for players who heavily prioritize the ability to use a downloadable app.

Major international online casinos present an interesting alternative to these state-run apps: a fully optimized mobile site. While these websites can’t offer downloadable apps to American consumers in a traditional app store, they have all focused much of their research and development time on optimizing their websites to function properly with a mobile device, including a specialized touch screen interface and access to their entire range of features from any such device.

Live Dealer Gambling Sites

Live dealer gambling is a recent innovation in the world of gambling. Essentially, live dealer gambling acts as a hybrid between traditional casino gaming and online casino gaming. Live dealer games connect players through a live audiovisual feed to actual dealers—experienced casino industry professionals. These dealers deal cards to players as if they were in the room and react and respond to comments. Live dealer gambling is a great way to combine the convenience of online gambling with the sense of connection and tangibility offered by a live dealer working with physical gaming equipment.

Legal Gambling With Bitcoin

Every major international online gambling site uses a form of cryptocurrency, with Bitcoin being by far the most popular. While the term ‘cryptocurrency’ has become a scary buzzword in American media, reality is much more mundane. Bitcoin is a secure, untraceable currency that can be processed instantly. For international online gambling sites, Bitcoin is the easiest and fastest way to both deposit and withdraw money. While some websites charge fees for transactions made using certain payment methods, Bitcoin transactions are almost universally free. To incentivize players who might be hesitant about it to use Bitcoin, online gambling sites often offer extra deposit bonuses for Bitcoin deposits. They do this because Bitcoin transactions are less logistically challenging for both them and for their players.

Online Gambling Laws In The USA

Individual states are free to set their own laws regarding the legality of online gambling. Most states had pre-existing anti-gambling laws on the books when online gambling first emerged in the 1990s, and rather than spend time updating existing laws, most states simply elected to interpret their existing laws as applying to online gambling as well. Unfortunately, online gambling was a drastic change to the fundamental structure of gambling, and probably warranted some legislative adjustments. A few states have directly addressed the issue of online gambling in their code of laws, but most have defaulted to existing laws.

There are no all-or-nothing provision for the legalization of online gambling, so many states choose to legalize just one or two types while the rest remain illegal. For instance, the majority of states allow daily fantasy sports (DFS), but only four have legalized full online casino gambling. West Virginia became the most recent state to adopt full online casino gaming, but for most states, sports betting has become the hot button issue. Thankfully, gamblers in all states can legally play with global online casinos like Bovada and Ignition. By virtue of operating from other countries, these online casinos are not subject to the same state and federal laws as casinos based in the United States.

States With Legal Online Gambling

Legal online gambling options are available in all states, but only four states offer fully legal state-licensed online casino gambling. These states are:

  • Delaware
  • New Jersey
  • Pennsylvania
  • West Virginia

Many other states offer online gambling in a limited capacity. Most offer licensed daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests, for example. Others offer online sports betting or online lottery ticket sales, but not casino gaming. While it is worth reading about your individual state’s online gambling laws, it is simpler to just play with an international regulated gambling website. Rules for using these websites are much less complicated and draconian than state gambling laws, so they present a more hassle-free way to play. With few exceptions, international gambling sites accept players from all 50 states.

Legal Online Gambling Age In The USA

One of the consequences of allowing each state to set their own gambling laws is that there is no standardized legal age for gambling with a state-licensed operator. Every state has its own laws regarding the legal age to participate in various forms of gambling. Some states use a universal age of 18 years old, while others use separate age requirements for different types of gambling. Once again, online gambling sites based in other countries offer a simpler set of rules: if you are 18 years old and have a valid, government-issued ID, you can participate in all forms of online gambling offered by these sites.

Future Of Online Gambling In The USA

While online gambling laws in the U.S. are a difficult-to-resolve mess, the future of the online gambling experience looks bright. Online gambling grows in worldwide popularity every year, and the investment in improving gambling technology and infrastructure has been staggering. Recent advancements like live, in-play betting and live dealer casino games are just the tip of the iceberg. With technology advancing at an exponential rate, there is no telling what future evolutions of online gambling might look like.

In time, most states will likely move to fully legalize online gambling. The overwhelming popularity of sports betting has proven that there is a definitive financial incentive to expanding gambling options in the United States, and states that don’t offer online gambling will soon find themselves at a competitive disadvantage. The increasing ubiquity of sports betting is also doing wonders for national attitudes toward gambling. In essence, what was once a taboo hobby has now become mainstream, and the next generation of lawmakers will likely look on gambling much more favorably than the current one.

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