The Legality of Online Gambling

Online gambling, also known as e-gambling, is a term used to describe gambling conducted over the Internet. It can include casino games, live and virtual poker, sports betting and more. There are many ways to gamble online, but there are also a few federal laws that prohibit it.

In terms of legality, online gambling is primarily a matter of state law. However, in cases where it is suspected that an illegal Internet gambling operation is running afoul of federal law, the government has the power to prosecute.

In addition to state laws, the federal government has seven criminal statutes that directly apply to illegal Internet gambling. These are the Wire Act, the Illegal Gambling Business Act, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) provision, and the Financial Transactions Privacy Act.

The United States has made a number of attempts to restrict online gambling in recent years. Among other things, the Commerce Clause has come into question, and state officials have expressed concerns that the internet could be used to bring illegal gambling into their jurisdictions.

While there are no hard and fast rules on the legality of online gambling, it can be safely assumed that the industry is growing and becoming more competitive with each passing day. Some countries have regulated and/or ruled out the activity, while others have allowed it.

Among the most popular games to be played online are roulette, blackjack, video poker, slots, and other games of chance. Although these activities are not entirely illegal, they are often tacked on to larger gaming expansions.