Where online gambling is legal depends on which state is being asked; some have legalized various forms of online betting while other do not permit any form of betting at all online. Most states are working towards passing laws to make some form of gambling accessible to its residents.
Critics of gambling often argue that it promotes political corruption, compulsive gambling, and higher crime rates. On the other hand, others point out how gambling revenues are used by local governments for many purposes including public services; plus casinos and other forms of gambling venues provide local economies with additional revenue sources.
In the US, two sets of gambling regulations – Federal Law and State Law – exist to govern gambling activities. State Gambling Laws provide more detail and are applicable only in that particular state while Federal Gambling Law applies across all fifty states. State governments desire expanding gambling markets for increased state revenue purposes while federal gambling legislation makes this more challenging due to overlapping responsibilities across states.
New Jersey is currently the only US state that has legalized all three major forms of online gambling – casinos, poker and sports betting. Pennsylvania, Delaware and Nevada also allow some form of gambling while Utah and Hawaii prohibit it all completely but permit in-person sports betting.
Virginia recently introduced an online sports betting platform for its residents. This platform enables residents to place bets on various professional and collegiate sporting events; however, local residents cannot bet against their hometown teams.
Iowa was another state that legalized online sports gambling in May 2019 with their sports betting market opening up in brick-and-mortar sportsbooks for residents to place bets. Since May of 2021 however, sports bettors can place their bets using mobile phones as well.
Massachusetts joined these states by legalizing sports betting online in March 2023; residents could access its platform from their smartphones or tablets.
Even though online casino gaming is currently illegal in California, the state shows strong support for regulated gambling. Although complicated issues surrounding Native American tribes often make these decisions challenging to make, California could eventually legalise online casino and sports betting in its near future.