Online casinos in the USA have taken a notable forward leap from traditional poker. Now, you can enjoy different virtual casino variants from your phone, leaving out the need to go to a physical casino to place bets.
But online poker doesn’t bypass legal protocols for being popular and more convenient. You must play by the rules of your state of residence to avoid legal punishment. There are also some federal laws you might have to follow to play responsibly.
As a responsible player, you don’t want to start playing before going through this article. Read on to understand federal and state laws pertaining to online casinos.
Federal Laws Affecting Online Gambling
There are several federal laws governing online casinos in the USA. While bookies are the first to deal with gambling regulations, several federal laws set standards you must follow as a player.
Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) is a typical federal law that makes it illegal to accept payment from unregulated online casinos. The Wire Act of 1961 adds to the mix of USA gambling laws, whereby it prohibits players from intrastate gambling.
State-by-State Breakdown
Online gambling laws vary from one state to another, and we highly advise you to adhere to your state of residence’s regulations.
Fully Legal Online Casino States
Some states have lifted bans for online casinos, allowing you to wager in many variants and win real money. If you live in any of the following states, you’re completely free to try out online poker:
- Delaware
- Michigan
- West Virginia
- Connecticut
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
- Nevada
States with Partial Legalization
In other states, there are limitations to how much you can gamble, as well as the type of games open to you. These states have set partial legalization, allowing you to catch a glimpse of several games and win some cash.
The following states offer partial legalization for online casinos:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
States Considering Legalization
If you’re a poker enthusiast living outside states with full and partial legalization, there’s also a reason for you to smile. If you’re in Indiana, you are likely to start legally enjoying online casinos.
This state has set things in motion with its new larger gaming modernization bill meant to legalize online poker soon. Massachusetts is also considering legalizing sports betting, which could create a pathway for legalizing online casinos.
North Carolina has also set things in motion with its 2023-2025 budget estimates that could offer room for online casino legalization.
Legal Online Gaming Options
Top-notch developers across the globe have partnered to create thrilling games, and numerous variants to ensure you never run out of options. However, the options are subject to different gaming laws.
As a responsible gamer, you should focus on legal state and social casinos to play without legal problems.
Regulated State Casino
Online casinos have widened gaming options, and so have the regulations to these variants. Different states have regulated online casinos to tap from their promising economic returns.
Regulated state casinos allow you to wager and win real cash in many virtual games.
These include online sports and popular virtual variants of classic favorites like baccarat, blackjack, poker, and bingo.
Social Casinos
If your state of residence has stringent gambling policies against real money online casinos, social casinos are your go-to option. While you don’t get real cash rewards, you can still catch the thrill by winning in-app virtual currency rewards.
You can also opt for social casinos to gain gambling experience for free. Try out free casino favorites like slots, blackjack, scratch, and poker.
Payment Methods and Legal Considerations
Online casinos offer a wide range of fast and reliable payment options. Visa and Debit payments are among the most popular options you can use to deposit. Online casinos also let you make secure and lightning-fast payments via cryptocurrencies.
You can also deposit to your online casino with e-wallets and bank transfers. With the variety of payment options, you are sure to find a suitable option. Check with the online casino before creating an account to confirm whether it accepts your preferred payment methods.
Player Protection and Safety
Online casinos have robust security protocols to keep intruders at bay and protect your details and money. Reputable online casinos have the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certification that securely encrypts your data.
They also feature two-factor authentication, and secure blockchain payments to prevent intruders from accessing your account and withdrawing funds.
Conclusion
While online casinos improve your experience with high-end security protocols and lightning-fast transactions, they’re subject to federal and state laws.
Make a site where you familiarize yourself with your state of residence’s online casino regulations to avoid legal issues. You can also try different social casinos, which are legal in many states to gain experience and enjoy the thrill if your state doesn’t permit real money online casinos.