Federal Laws Governing Online Gambling

Online gambling is a growing industry. More and more Americans are using their home computers to wager on sports, play their favorite casino games, or participate in virtual poker. However, many of the most popular websites are not legal in all states. The good news is that there are a few states that have enacted legislation to make online gambling legal in their jurisdiction.

One of the most important federal laws governing online gambling is the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), which regulates commercial activity. It also prohibits accepting financial instruments from illegal Internet bets.

Other federal laws, such as the Travel Act and the Wire Act, also make it illegal to conduct illegal gambling over the Internet. Using the Internet for gambling may also require a license.

Another interesting federal law is the Illegal Gambling Business Act, which prohibits certain activities associated with a gambling business. For instance, owners of illegal gambling businesses are subject to up to five years in prison. Similarly, if their company has gross revenue of more than two thousand dollars per day, they can be slapped with a fine.

There are a handful of other federal laws relating to online gambling, but these are the most relevant to this article. Considering that state lawmakers have expressed concerns over the use of the internet for illegal gambling, they’ve been able to rely on federal law in cases.

As you can see, the federal government has made a pretty good effort to regulate online gambling. And, while the law hasn’t quelled concerns about online gambling, it does offer a little more protection to consumers.