Can You Gamble Online Legally?
If you love gambling, but don’t want to leave the comfort of your home or work, online casinos can provide you with everything you need. Many of these sites offer free trials so you can test the waters without risking your own money. Once you feel confident, you can switch over to real money games and get in on the action. And with the right legal online casino, you’ll be able to take advantage of all kinds of bonuses and rewards that you wouldn’t find at brick-and-mortar locations.
While most states have made some form of online gambling legal, it’s important to note that you can still run into trouble if you break the law in some states. For example, gambling on sports isn’t currently legal in New York. But you can still place wagers at a number of regulated online casinos in New Jersey and other state-licensed sites that accept players from New York.
As for the legality of online casinos in general, this is a little more complicated. There are multiple issues at play, including how federal and state laws interact with each other and the fact that different types of gambling have different legal parameters. For instance, the 1961 Wire Act, which was written before the internet existed, oversaw the industry until the US Supreme Court struck it down in 2018. That said, it’s possible that this decision could be revisited and the current status of online gambling in each state will change again.
Delaware, which was one of the first states to make online gambling legal, now hosts several reputable sites. Its three regulated casinos are all partnered with 888, which offers free-play slots, live odds and bet tracking. The state is also planning to roll out online sports betting soon.
Michigan is another new player in the legal online casino game. It launched its first regulated online casino in 2021, and it’s now a top destination for fans of table games like blackjack and poker. And if you want to watch sports in style, Michigan is one of the few states that offers a dedicated app for sports betting, which includes expert picks, live odds and bet tracking.
Florida is another state that doesn’t have a regulated online casino, but it did legalize sports betting in 2021. And while the state’s future as an online gaming destination is uncertain, companies such as BetMGM, DraftKings and FanDuel Group are all active in the sports betting space, which may open up a window for iGaming in Florida down the line.
Wisconsin is a similar story. Its iGaming market is in limbo until the state can negotiate an agreement with its tribal partners, but it’s possible that an online casino could launch here soon. This is especially true now that other states are embracing the industry.