By TheNuts - Dec 29, 2024
Legal Online Gambling In The US In 2025
The history of real money
online gambling in the US is complex, characterized by legal hurdles, technology improvements, and shifting public perception. This is an overview:
Early beginnings (1990s)
• In 1994, Antigua and Barbuda established the Free Trade & Processing Act, which authorized the issuing of licenses for internet casinos.
• InterCasino, the first internet casino, debuted in 1996.
• Planet Poker was the first online poker site, launched in 1998.
Growth and Legal Challenges (2000s)
• In 2001, online gambling became very popular. By this point, there were hundreds of online casinos, poker rooms, and sports betting websites.
• In 2002, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit determined that the Federal Wire Act only outlawed online sports betting, not other types of gambling.
Post-UIGEA Era and Black Friday (2010s).
• In 2011, the Department of Justice issued indictments against the founders of online poker firms PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, and Absolute Poker, dubbed "Black Friday." This had a tremendous impact on the online poker market. In 2011, the Department of Justice clarified that the Federal Wire Act solely covers sports betting, allowing states to legalize other types of online gambling.
• In 2013, Delaware, Nevada, and New Jersey became the first states to authorize internet gambling. New Jersey's online casinos were extremely successful.
Recent Developments (2020s).
• In 2020-24, more states passed legislation to authorize internet casinos and sports betting. Connecticut, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia have all launched legal online casinos during that time.
Current Landscape
• Regulations for online gambling vary by state, creating a patchwork system. As of 2024, some states have legalized online gambling, such as casinos, poker, and sports betting, while others still restrict it. Technological developments, increased internet access, and shifting public views regarding gambling all contribute to the industry's expansion.
The future of online casinos in the United States will most likely involve ongoing legal and regulatory developments, with more states potentially moving toward licensing and regulation - though an online gaming rush is unlikely to occur anytime soon.
By the conclusion of the calendar year 2024, 38 states, including Washington, D.C., will have legalized sports betting. The majority of states offer both in-person and online betting, although some exclusively allow in-person wagering at physical locations such as casinos or sportsbooks.
The following states allow legal online or mobile gambling as of December 2024:
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• New Hampshire
• New York
• New Jersey
• Nevada
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Tennessee
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington, D.C.
• West Virginia
• Wyoming