Digital Gambling in the USA: Legal Basis

Legislation Norms

So far, 24 states have developed favourable conditions for the entire industry. And this trend seems to be taking over as Kentucky and Vermont are in the process of activating their markets as well.

The US states brought web gambling into the lawful field in the following areas:

1. Arizona allows various forms of wagering. Over 30 operators have been registered in the region for now.
2. Arkansas legalised the operations of 8 bookmakers. Since 2022, local punters have registered multiple casino accounts.
3. Colorado has retail sports betting fully administered. As a result, 17+ sportsbooks found their place in the market.
4. Connecticut authorised different types of gambling. Since 2021, 15 bookmakers have established their operations locally.
5. The District of Columbia placed wagering sites under the policies of the DC Lottery. Local players also have an opportunity to bet on the game directly at the stadium.
6. Illinois has become one of the largest sports markets since 2020. With over 11 retail spots, it is possible to play the lotto titles, wager on horse races, and enjoy other online experiences.
7. Indiana supports versatile gambling products. Today, over 30 operators brought their services to the local market.
8. Iowa approved offline gambling venues along with bookmakers. Thus, punters are free to join land-based venues to enjoy their favourite gaming content.
9. Kansas legalised 12 mobile operators. Betting on international platforms is considered to be illegal and leads to serious consequences.
10. Louisiana made in-person and online wagering legal. The current number of 25 sportsbooks is about to grow.
11. Maryland authorised betting activities in 2022. Since then, it has legalised up to 60 operators and even more are about to come.
12. Massachusetts is one of the last states to enable platforms with digital entertainment content. The common products include horse racing and charitable titles.
13. Michigan allows local punters to put money at stake via special websites and apps. Now, 15 licensed brands are legally accessible.
14. Nevada has 100+ sportsbooks for gamblers to choose from. Apart from wagering on football, tennis, and other famous disciplines, it is also possible to bet on card games, dice, etc.
15. New Hampshire still has not legalised digital casinos. Nevertheless, it allows punters to use one mobile operator in the area.
16. New Jersey has one of the main destinations for devoted punters — Atlantic City. Since 2018, it has been providing high-quality gambling services to the local audience.
17. New York is the most solid place for investments. With over $800 million being wagered monthly, the city has become home to 10 well-reputed gambling brands so far.
18. Ohio legalised online casinos with the most striking slots and keno titles. Betting was eventually taken under control earlier this year.
19. Oregon legally covers wagering, but not gambling services. So far, only one operator was intended for mobile betting.
20. Pennsylvania has a special body to manage digital platforms. Over 30+ sportsbooks have received legal status.
21. Rhode Island has licensed only one betting operator so far. Punters can wager via desktop and mobile devices.
22. Tennessee is probably the only state that supports online gaming experiences regardless of the usage of retail sportsbooks. However, digital casinos have not been fully regulated so far.
23. Virginia allows local players to benefit from pari-mutuel wagering. Over 14 online platforms have been approved since 2021.
24. West Virginia has been supporting online casino content for a while. It has become an example of how to create a legal environment for game offerings.
25. Wyoming started licensing betting sites in 2021. Since then, several sportsbooks have been operating in the area.

While the variety of local platforms is quite limited, many players join the international sites. This is what they must be careful with as not all states tolerate the use of foreign products.

Local vs. Offshore Gambling Sites

US punters do not have many options to choose from. So, offshore bookmakers surely contribute to the market variety. It is important to know the differences between local and international platforms.

Legal Aspects

Online casinos operating within particular states are controlled by authorities. They are obliged to comply with the laws to enable protection, transparency, and security for the game. They also undergo standard audits to ensure random and fair results.

International online casinos are not maintained by the federal authorities. Based in foreign jurisdictions, they offer no protection to US players. If something goes wrong, they will not provide compensation or any other solution to Americans.

Safe User Experience

Digital casinos, similar to physical ones, take responsibility for player safety and security. They integrate strict measures to protect sensitive data. They also offer efficient gambling tools, such as self-exclusion options and spending limitations. In case of any issues, players can refer to legal channels and request compensation.

International online casinos rely on different security policies in place. They cannot protect foreigners if any inconveniences occur. Even well-reputed brands fall under different jurisdictions which cannot give any guarantees to American citizens.