Where Can I Gamble Online In The Us
Where Can You Legally Gamble Online In the United States
Online gambling in the US may or may not be legal depending on which state you are based in at the time. Furthermore, some forms of online gambling may be legal, but other forms may still be outlawed. While it is true that online casino players are usually not persecuted and the law enforcement targets the casino operators, it would always be wise to check and be aware of the state laws for online gambling before you indulge in online gambling.
If you’ve ever thought about visiting a cyber casino, here’s something you should know: it’s illegal to gamble online in the United States. “You can go to Vegas. You can go to Atlantic City. At CardsChat, we've shortlisted the safest and the best gambling sites for players to gamble online for real money. Enjoy huge bonuses, 100s of games, and play on mobile! 1 Top Rated Online.
The different forms of online gambling recognized by US laws
State legislators in different US states have basically categorized online gambling into three forms, namely, online casino, online poker and online sports betting. When it comes to legality, some states may allow casinos and poker but ban sports betting, some states may allow sports betting but ban the other two, etc.
There are some software providers who have completely pulled out the US market and even if specific casinos can operate in the States, sometimes games from a specific software provider might not be available. Some online software providers, however, have stayed fast and are not being pushed out of this lucrative market. A good example would be iconic software provider, NetEnt, that still continues to provide excellent games to US citizens. Be sure to check out some of the top US casinos and Kasinohai Nettikasinot that are available.
Furthermore, the regulations regarding online gambling are still in its infancy and is there subject to frequent revisions and even considerable changes. While we mention here the states wherein online gambling is legal, it is worthy to note that there are plenty of US states seeking to regulate and legalize online gambling. They are keeping a close watch on the industry and its potential to bring in revenue for the state.
US States where at least one form of online gambling has been legalized
New Jersey – New Jersey happens to be the biggest online casino market in the US at this time. The market in New Jersey is estimated to be worth over $225 million. The New Jersey online gambling laws allow for online casinos, online poker as well as online sports betting. This makes New Jersey one of the only three states where all three forms of online gambling have been legalized in the US.
Pennsylvania–Pennsylvania is the only other US state apart from New Jersey and Delaware where all three forms of online gambling (online casinos, online poker and sports betting) have been legalized. The legalization across online casinos, online poker and online sports betting happened just in 2019. At this time, a lot many of the states land based casinos have come out with their own online casino versions which make up most online casino options in PA.
West Virginia–Thanks to the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act, online casinos and online poker rooms are likely to be legalized in 2020. However, at the time of writing, only online sports betting is technically legal in this state.
Indiana –Much like West Virginia, Only online sports betting is legal at this point in time in the State of Indiana. When it comes to online casinos and online poker rooms, there does not seem to be any plan in place to legalize, regulate and tax such operations in Indiana just yet.
Iowa–It was only in August of 2019 that Iowa legalized online sports betting. With the legalization, Iowa went from having 0 online sports betting websites to five in the span of under 6 months.
New Hampshire–Online sports betting was legalized in 2019. Online casinos and online poker are still outlawed. The popular sportsbook, DraftKings, was the first sportsbook to welcome NH based players.
Nevada – Online sports betting and online poker is legal
Delaware – Apart from NJ and PA, Delaware is the only other state where online casinos, online poker and online sports betting are all legal.
Rhode Island – Online sports betting is legal
Oregon – Online sports betting is legal
You can also legally gamble via affiliate websites that officially participate in Affiliate Programs from Betsson, Bet 365, and other providers with a legit license. While those websites receive rev-share from each real money bet, the player has an option to choose from multiple casino offers. Affiliate websites offer free slots with bonus and free spins, instant play free casino games no download or registration, and a chance to win real money by entering no deposit casino. Affiliate casino websites do not need licensing or compliance in the United States except for local regulations regarding affiliate marketing in some states. Only a few states have specific laws on affiliate marketing, while most do not regulate this aspect of iGaming at all. For example, New Jersey has the necessary conditions for running a licensed affiliate marketing business. It would be best to show a minimum level of financial stability, integrity, and fair character without violating the state’s casino and gambling laws.
There’s no doubt that more states are likely to jump on the bandwagon and legalize online gambling in the near future. Stay tuned to this space for more on the latest.
In short; There is no federal law against playing blackjack online. There are some states where it is declared illegal however prosecution would be extremely rare and would most likely be against any establishment rather than the player.
It is completely safe to play blackjack online for real money.
It’s often reported that playing blackjack online for real money is illegal in the US.
But is it really?
Let’s tackle this head on and resolve this confusing and commonly misunderstood issue.
So let’s get one thing straight:
Playing Blackjack Online is NOT Legally Prohibited in Any Way by Federal Law
There is no law whatsoever against gambling online at the federal level which is a myth that has been established most likely from a misinterpretation of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 which states:
The Act prohibits gambling businesses from knowingly accepting payments in connection with the participation of another person in a bet or wager that involves the use of the Internet and that is unlawful under any federal or state law (termed “restricted transactions” in the Act).
This is basically saying it’s prohibited for banks to knowingly accept transactions that are a result of an illegal online bet.
It does not in any way state that it is illegal for a player to participate in gambling online!
Another reason why some people may think it is illegal is the confusion of the Federal Wire Act which is related to sports betting and does not apply to whether online blackjack is legal since they are considered different forms of gambling.
Play Blackjack Live Online
If you want to try playing blackjack online for real money, we recommend US players to visit Bovada casino.
Are There any State Laws which Explicitly Allow Online Blackjack?
Another reason why it’s confusing to determine whether it’s legal to gamble online is the fact that most states actually don’t have any specific laws which apply to online gambling in general.
If there is no specific law prohibiting online gambling then it is considered legal.
However there are three states that have explicitly passed laws specifically for allowing online gambling which are:
Interestingly, Nevada has allowed for online poker but have prohibited online casino gambling.
States Where Online Blackjack is Technically Illegal
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Louisiana
- Montana
- Nevada
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- Washington
- Wisconsin
There are 9 states that have prohibitions against online casino gambling however it should be noted that the real target of these laws are the online casinos themselves and not the player.
The likelihood of being criminally charged is extremely low and even if you were it would most likely be considered just a misdemeanor
There is only one incident I have been able to find dating back to 2003 in North Dakota where a player, Jeffrey Trauman, plead guilty for placing a bet over $500 and was charged with a misdemeanor and subsequently fined $500. (source: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1146&context=grrj)
So for further clarity, let’s look at a table of all states so you can easily distinguish the laws of the state you reside in.
I Want To Gamble Online
| State | Legal? | State | Legal? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Montana | No | |
| Alaska | Nebraska | Yes | |
| Arizona | Nevada | No | |
| Arkansas | New Hampshire | ||
| California | New Jersey | Yes | |
| Colorado | New Mexico | Yes | |
| Connecticut | New York | Yes | |
| Delaware | North Carolina | Yes | |
| Florida | North Dakota | Yes | |
| Georgia | Ohio | Yes | |
| Hawaii | Oklahoma | Yes | |
| Idaho | Oregon | ||
| Illinois | Pennsylvania | Yes | |
| Indiana | Rhode Island | Yes | |
| Iowa | South Carolina | Yes | |
| Kansas | South Dakota | ||
| Kentucky | Tennessee | Yes | |
| Louisiana | Texas | Yes | |
| Maine | Utah | Yes | |
| Maryland | Vermont | Yes | |
| Massachusetts | Virginia | Yes | |
| Michigan | Washington | ||
| Minnesota | West Virginia | Yes | |
| Mississippi | Wisconsin | ||
| Missouri | Wyoming | Yes |
If You Are Unsure, Seek Legal Advice
When in doubt, seek professional legal advice: This website serves to provide players with advice and is not legally binding. Therefore, if you ever have more nuanced questions, do consider consulting a legal professional.
Can I Gamble Online In Sc
How would I deposit and withdraw money given the UIGEA and Where Can I Play?
The UIGEA has made it considerably more difficult for US residents to deposit and withdraw money from casinos. For example, e-Wallet services such as PayPal or Moneybookers, which are commonly used to transfer funds to/from casinos, usually will not work with US residents engaging in online gaming. We recommend US players avoiding these in general.
Most often, players from the US will be able to use debit cards, direct bank wire transfer, checks, and automated clearing house (ACH). The best method though is to use Bitcoin which is extremely quick and doesn’t have any excess fees. Read our complete guide on how to buy Bitcoin to deposit at a casino here.
For US residents outside of New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware, we recommend playing at Bovada or Betonline.
Related Reading
FAQ
The most recent prosection recorded incident occurred in 2003 where a player was fined $500 and charged with a misdemeanor.
Offshore online casinos do not fall under US jurisdiction so we highly recommend sticking to well known brands such as Bovada or BetOnline.
Pennsylvania has been the most recent state to legalize online gambling and it is expected that West Virginia will be following suit by 2021.
Yes. Since they are located offshore, they do not have to abide by the restrictions made by the UIGEA
Where Can I Gamble Online In The Usa
Yes, but as with participating in any service online, it is up to you to do your own due diligence before making any wager. While we can recommend reputable various online casinos to play at, we insist that you read the terms and conditions at any online casino so you know exactly what is involved.