While online gambling is legal, there are still some restrictions. Players must be at least 21 years old and live in a state that allows it. You can play online from your desktop or mobile device. However, online gambling sites that accept customers from other countries must comply with local gambling laws to ensure a level playing field for all. For this reason, it is important to check the terms and conditions of any site before making a deposit or signing up to use it.
States that permit online gambling have varied degrees of regulation. States like Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, and Texas allow online gambling. Other states have limited online gambling offerings. While these restrictions are still largely arbitrary, some states have regulations that allow online gambling in limited circumstances. These states may include Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania. Despite these restrictions, online gambling remains widely popular and is legal in more states than you think.
The Wire Act of 1961 has long governed online gambling in the US. It was drafted before the internet, so it does not apply to digital wagering. However, the US Department of Justice has allowed states to pass laws that legalize online gambling in 2011, and has recently decriminalized the activity. In 2018, the US Supreme Court overruled the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act to allow sports betting. Moreover, the US Department of Justice concluded that the 1961 Wire Act did not apply to online gambling.