Each state, rather than the federal government, has the autonomy to mandate legal online gambling. The federal government has tried to step in, but many see its tactics as outdated and inefficient. As a result, navigating the differences between each state’s laws can be challenging. However, progress has been made as states collaborate more frequently to create a unified and safe gambling experience for all players.
Federal Online Casinos Legislation
Over the last 50 years, the federal government has attempted to develop numerous forms of legislation to regulate the gaming industry. In fairness, keeping pace with the rapid ascent of the Internet and online gaming was nearly impossible. The most important legislative decision came to the DOJ's hands when it allowed states to implement legal online gambling at their best.
State Online Casinos Legislation
Each state has its own rules about online gambling, and it can be hard for players to keep up with these differences. For instance, gambling is not allowed in Hawaii and Utah, but places like Pennsylvania and New Jersey let you gamble online for various games, even sports betting, and poker.
People are getting into sports betting in the U.S. Since the government stopped PASPA in 1992, states can decide if they want to allow sports betting. And more states are saying yes to it than they are to online poker and casinos.
That's because online casinos have taken a while to catch up with the laws. Even though the first legal online casino started ten years ago, only seven states have regulated online casinos.
- Connecticut: The Nutmeg State legalized USA online casinos in 2021 under the same House Bill that legalized online sports betting, poker, and Daily Fantasy Sports. All players 21 and up have two legal casino sites regulated by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.
- Delaware: In 2013, Delaware was one of the first states to offer players a legitimately safe online casino. The Delaware State Lottery is allowed to provide online casino games.
- Michigan: In 2019, Michigan lawmakers passed the Lawful Internet Gambling Act, allowing online gambling and casinos to be legal. However, it was another two years before the first online casino launched in the state. A few years later, there are no more than 15 legal real money online casinos in MI.
- New Jersey: New Jersey is and always has been one of the homes of legal gambling in the U.S. Today, more than 20 online casinos are operating in New Jersey after the legal online gambling bill was passed in 2013.
- Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania began permitting online casinos to operate legally in 2019, nearly a year after the governor signed HB271. Influenced somewhat by neighboring New Jersey, PA residents have the luxury of more than 20 safe and secure online casinos.
- Rhode Island: One of the newest states to allow legal online casinos, Rhode Island’s governor signed the bill in June 2023. Like Delaware, the state’s lottery is allowed to operate online gaming sites.
- West Virginia: WV also runs its online gaming operations through the state lottery. The first online sites were launched in 2020, and four sites are currently running.