While gambling has been around for thousands of years, the digital era brought about a major shift. People can now place wagers on games of chance and skill without ever leaving their homes. But is it legal to gamble online in every state? In this article, we’ll answer that question and explain how the laws surrounding online gambling vary by state.
Gambling is legal at the federal level, but states have the right to regulate gambling activities, including those that take place on the Internet. Most do, in fact, and they regulate the different aspects of Internet gambling in various ways. Some are more liberal when it comes to casino and poker sites, while others are more restrictive. For example, New Jersey is a trailblazer in this field, and its online casino sites are among the most popular in the US. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement oversees the industry, and its sites are regulated in the same way that land-based casinos are regulated.
New York, on the other hand, is a bit more conservative. While it did pass bills in 2023 to allow online casino gaming, those efforts were halted by the legislature. Nevertheless, the state does offer some top-tier online poker rooms, and it’s still possible to place sports wagers over the Internet.
To gamble on the Internet, you first need to find a site that offers the types of gambling you’re interested in. Most reputable operators are licensed and regulated by state regulators, which ensures that the games offered are fair, that bets are honored and that customers’ funds are safe. Regardless of the type of gambling you’re looking to do, be sure to choose a site that offers a secure encryption connection.
Once you’ve found a site, you’ll need to create an account. This typically involves providing some personal information such as your name, date of birth and email address. Many sites also require a valid credit card to deposit and withdraw funds. Most also have a FAQ page where you can find answers to frequently asked questions.
Then, you’ll need to decide how much money you want to wager. For casino games, this means determining how much you’re willing to spend per spin or hand. Sports betting requires more research, as you’ll need to understand the odds of certain events happening and how they might impact the overall outcome of a game.
West Virginia was the second state to legalize online gambling in 2019, though it wasn’t exactly a rapid rollout. The state’s first iGaming sites debuted in July 2020, with the debut of DraftKings Casino and FanDuel Casino, both operated by partner companies (the Greenbrier and Jim Justice, who owns an in-state casino). The following year, BetMGM became the most prominent operator in the state, and it continues to dominate the market. Florida, meanwhile, allows retail casino gaming and pari-mutuel wagers on horse racing and a state lottery, but it does not explicitly permit Daily Fantasy Sports.