There are currently 48 states that allow some form of gambling, with the notable exceptions of Hawaii (which banned gaming prior to statehood) and Utah (which has a Latter-day Saint majority population). The vast majority of these offer online lotteries, with New Mexico, Massachusetts, Michigan and Pennsylvania set to launch online sports betting soon. Online casinos are also legal in Nevada and New Jersey. And online poker has become legal in many states, including Michigan and West Virginia.
The federal government still oversees the US gambling industry, but in 2011 the Department of Justice issued a memo reinterpreting the 1961 Wire Act as only applying to sports betting. This paved the way for states to pass their own laws and legalize online casino and poker games. The growth of the iGaming industry has been remarkable. It’s estimated that over 23 million Americans play poker regularly and over 7 million wager real money on casino games online each month.
New Jersey has made online gambling legal since 2013, and the Garden State now boasts annual revenues of over $80 million. However, it’s been a struggle for other states to follow suit and legalize iGaming. Legislators in New York, for example, are still considering a bill that would permit online casinos. And New Hampshire lawmakers continue to debate whether or not to make online sports betting legal. Currently, players in the state can place bets through DraftKings and FanDuel.
Aside from online casinos and poker, most forms of gambling in the US are regulated by individual states. These laws vary widely, but they usually involve a minimum age and a maximum amount that you can win. Most states also require that you play at licensed and regulated sites. In addition, a number of states have their own lottery games, and some even have state-run casinos.
Using a VPN is one of the best ways to protect your privacy when gambling online. VPNs can help you stay anonymous and unblock games that are geo-restricted in your region. They can also help you avoid pitfalls like malware and scams. So, if you’re interested in gambling legally, try using a VPN to ensure your safety and protect your money.
In Canada, gambling is prohibited under the federal Criminal Code. However, the Canadian provinces are allowed to manage their own regulated gambling operations. The provinces have a variety of different legal gambling options, including land-based casinos and horse racing. Online casinos and poker are also legal in some provinces, including Ontario and Quebec.