Is Online Slot Gambling Legal in the US?

While US gambling laws have become more receptive to new forms of betting in recent years, online casino gaming hasn’t moved as quickly. That’s because federal statutes still make it difficult for states to approve casino online games and internet sports wagering. But as states have begun to take the lead, they’ve found it easier to approve these games and allow them to be played by their citizens.

While online gambling is legal in upwards of 30 states, many others aren’t on the same page. In fact, there are several states that don’t allow any type of regulated online casino play at all. Some have even banned online sports betting. While it is possible that these bans could change in the future, for now they’re still a major hurdle to overcome.

Currently, there are no regulated online casinos that offer real-money slots or table games to players in Alaska. The state does have a few tribal casinos, but these only offer slot machines and not table games. Regardless, residents can still place bets on the big game through offshore sites like Bovada.

Minnesota is another state that has no regulated online casinos. However, there are a few land-based casinos available to the state’s residents. Online casino play isn’t going to be introduced in the state any time soon, though it may be allowed down the road once lawmakers have a better understanding of how the industry works.

Mississippi isn’t quite as anti-casino as its neighbors, but online casino play isn’t an option in the Magnolia State. Instead, Mississippi players can enjoy 23 retail casinos that are located throughout the state, as well as a handful of racetracks and charitable games like bingo and pull-tabs.

Florida hasn’t made it far with regulating its online casinos, but the state is poised to make significant waves when it does. The iGaming market is expected to launch in 2021, although the COVID-19 pandemic caused a delay that held up iGaming until early 2023.

New Jersey is one of the older members of the iGaming club, having launched its own online casinos back in 2013. The Garden State’s iGaming laws were set to expire in 2023, but it appears as though legislators will work to extend those terms once again.

New York hasn’t made any headway with regulating its online casinos, so residents continue to gamble on the internet at unregulated sites. However, the state does allow its residents to participate in sports betting via licensed operators. In the meantime, New Yorkers can also enjoy social NY online casinos that don’t require any sort of money to play. These sites typically sign up new players with Google or Facebook details and allow them to use virtual chips to play a variety of games. Players can then share their accomplishments and chat with fellow members of the site. They just need to be 21 or older in order to join.