The answer to the question of can you gamble online legally depends on where in the United States you live. The vast majority of US states have legalized gambling in one form or another, but some have banned it completely. Others regulate it heavily, and still others have strict rules about how you can place wagers.
The United States federal government doesn’t regulate online gambling, but individual states do. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 makes it illegal for American companies to operate an online gambling website, but it doesn’t prohibit individuals from making wagers. So, if you live in a state where it’s legal to gamble online, you can do so at licensed casinos and sportsbooks operated by well-established operators.
When you sign up for an account at a licensed gambling site, you’ll need to provide identification and some other basic information. Then you can deposit funds into your account to start gambling. Then you can place bets on the games of your choice, with the amount of money you want to risk depending on your betting preferences. It’s important to remember that gambling is addictive, so if you have trouble controlling your gambling habits, you should seek help from a reputable addiction treatment facility or support service.
Pennsylvania joined New Jersey in offering legal iGaming in 2017, but it took more than 18 months for the Keystone State to launch its first sites. And while the industry has grown since then, Pennsylvania is still behind other iGaming markets like New York and Virginia in terms of the number of available casino sites.
Rhode Island was the latest state to legalize online casino gambling, allowing players to place bets from anywhere in the country starting on March 1, 2024. The Ocean State has partnered with established brick-and-mortar operators like Parx and Rivers to launch its first online casinos, but will also feature two standalone online gambling sites from DraftKings and FanDuel.
Despite its reputation as a gaming paradise, Alaska remains one of the most restrictive gambling jurisdictions in the country. In fact, the state constitution prohibits lotteries and gambling, so it’s unlikely that online casinos will become legal there anytime soon. However, there are some signs that online sports betting could be on the horizon for Alaskans.
Likewise, residents of Hawaii can’t place wagers on casino games or sports events online, but they might be able to take advantage of online social casinos in the future. The Lone Star State has a robust social casino market that allows players to play a variety of popular casino games for fun, using virtual chips.