We can’t blame anyone who is confused about the state of the online gaming industry in the United States of America. The fact that the federal government has not acted to regulate the market means that the responsibility falls on each state government. Of the fifty states that make up the USA; very few have agreed on how the industry ought to be regulated.
There are those who have gone all in on the gambling market, legalizing all casino options available to the average American. Others have gone the exact opposite way, banning all forms of gambling imaginable. But the truth is that most are somewhere in between. Americans and tourists are often confused about the state-by-state laws that govern the newly emerging market. That is why we focus on shining a light on how U.S. online gaming works in this text.
The Legal Market in the USA
The online gaming market begets much discussion and debate. It encompasses a lot more than just basic slot games and live casinos. Some would argue that the sports betting industry is a subsidiary of the greater iGaming sector. Thirty of the fifty states have made sports gambling legal online, recognizing the passion for sports among the American public. The same leniency has not been given to other facets of the market.
Online poker is only legal in eight US states, for example. Many affiliate platforms have done an overview of which states currently allow online poker legally, which serves as a great introduction for new players hoping to find a quality website. The problem is that so few states have legalized poker in the first place, though. Many fans have voiced their dissatisfaction with the state of legal gambling in the United States. They claim high-skill games like poker are stigmatized, while lotteries and bingo are encouraged.
But it is not just poker players who have it rough online. Internet casinos are only legal in seven states. Delaware led the charge in 2012, when it became the first state to legalize online gambling. Only six others have hopped on the bandwagon in the past decade and then some. There is talk that Maryland will soon join in on the trend. But nothing has been confirmed as of yet. Though House Bill 17 was recently proposed in the state, which would allow operators to launch online versions of their business.
A Legal Grey Area Exists for iGaming
Poker players and online gamblers that live outside of legal states ought not give up so soon. The truth is that there is a legal grey area that sort of permeates the American iGaming sector. That is the way that many of these laws are phrased. Most states have not prohibited playing at online casinos. Rather, they prohibit casino operators from setting up headquarters within state borders. Players can access online casinos that offer their services worldwide but operate outside of the state jurisdiction.
A lot has been said about offshore casinos; and there are certainly reasons why many would be skeptical. We live an age of increasing cybercrime. Engineers are trying their best to shape the future of online security; even incorporating artificial intelligence in the process. But there are plenty of players who remain anxious about sharing their information with websites that they are not familiar with. The good news is that offshore casinos are often quite reliable and extremely safe.
Experts in the field have done their best to separate the wheat from the chaff. Affiliate programs are stepping up their game when it comes to vetting gambling websites. They only step into business with reliable and licensed platforms that have been approved by top authorities. Governments all over the world are also taking much more rigorous measures in shutting down black market operators. The industry is safer than it has ever been.
Why Pundits Want Online Casinos Legalized
Some wonder why iGaming pundits are so persistent in advocating for the legalization of the market. But to answer that question, we need look no further than New Jersey’s triumphs. The Garden State has reported a record-breaking revenue stream from iGaming—online casinos accumulated close to $250 million. iGaming companies also pointed out that they’ve seen a 30% growth in revenue.
It isn’t just the state and companies benefiting from a legal market. Legal online casinos open up employment opportunities. To prove this, we need look no further than America’s northern neighbors. Ontario legalized online gambling three years ago. The Canadian province has generated a total of 15,000 jobs since those first gambling platforms opened. The sector is growing at an incredible pace, even as many are voicing their disapproval.
Proponents of a prohibitive stance on gambling suggest that the risk that comes with online gaming is simply not worth the benefits. The trouble with that argument is that American history shows nothing if not that prohibition doesn’t work. Americans the country over attend online casinos, whether they are allowed to or not. Proponents of legalization believe that it is better to create a safe and reliable environment than it is to attempt and ban a market that is obviously too popular.
