Online gambling has grown into a multibillion-dollar industry that spans every continent on Earth. Thanks to the Internet, people now have access to all forms of gambling from online casinos and sportsbooks all the way up to poker sites that operate over the dark web. But is this form of betting legal in the US and where can one find legal casino gaming and sports betting opportunities?
Answers to such questions vary state by state, with online sports betting enjoying wide acceptance across the US. Although regulated iGaming has experienced steady expansion since 2011, other forms of gambling such as casino or poker gambling remain less widely adopted due to concerns over potential addiction issues.
Maryland began offering online sports betting in 2022, following in the footsteps of Maine. Like its neighboring states New Jersey and Pennsylvania, however, Maryland may find itself facing increasing pressure to offer online casino play in future years.
New York presents more of a challenge, being among the more restrictive states when it comes to its iGaming options, with only sports betting and social casino gaming legalized at this time. There may still be hope on the horizon; lawmakers hope to pass legislation soon that would permit online casino and poker gambling within their borders.
New York sportsbooks must all be licensed and regulated by the Gaming Commission to operate legally, with their names available on a list published by the state government website, making it easier for New York residents to locate an approved sportsbook and play at legal sports betting establishments.
Responsible gambling is taken very seriously by most reputable online casinos, providing resources for players to help control spending habits and recognize the early signs of problem gambling. Most sites also provide account tools which enable deposit limits or self-exclusion periods of extended duration.
Legality of online gambling varies by state, but most states allow some form of iGaming. States without yet offering iGaming often face barriers imposed by federal laws like the Wire Act that ban most forms of gambling activity including poker and casino play online; however, most of these restrictions have been eased since Justice Department memo reinterpreting this statute in 2011.