Is online gambling legal in the USA? It’s a question that often pops up when you search about online gambling in the USA. Even the country’s residents find it challenging to answer because gambling online in the USA is a confusing subject. Unlike in the UK, where gambling is well regulated, American gambling laws differ from state to state.
The simple answer is yes, but only in some places such as New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. However, in other US states, it is less clear. Nevertheless, some of the best offshore online casinos accept players from the USA. This means that online gambling with real money is not impossible, even if you’re in US states where it is prohibited. These offshore online gambling sites hold licenses not from the USA but from other jurisdictions. So, the legality of them offering services to the USA falls in the grey area.
Fortunately, more states are looking into offering legal online gambling in the USA. Considering the recent gambling events in the country, it’s likely most USA states will legalize online gambling by 2021. If you’re wondering which US states will follow the footsteps of New Jersey and company this year, read on. We’ve looked into the USA gambling landscape and listed 11 states most likely to legalize online gambling this year.
Alabama
In 2019, Alabama passed a gambling bill allowing betting on few professional and college sporting events. The Alabama Sports Wagering Commission takes care of regulating sports betting in the state. There are talks about expanding the scope of the said bill, which might include online gambling.
Alaska
In 2020, Alaska passed two bills legalizing sports betting in the state. The bills allow Alaska residents to participate in sports betting in lottery form. Online betting is still prohibited, but there are discussions about changing the state’s gambling landscape.
California
Whether there is gambling involved or not, California regulates the majority of gaming activities in the state. As such, there’s an attempt to legalize betting on sports back in 2017. Then Assemblymember Adam Gray reasoned that gaming and sports betting both require skills. The Court ruled against his proposition. However, a referendum might change this ruling, and 2021 might be the year Californians can gamble legally online.
Indiana
In 2019, Indiana legalized sports betting that included mobile wagering. In 2020, there’s a proposition for legalizing online casino games like slots and table games. Discussion is said to be underway in the first quarter of 2021. If all goes well, 2021 might be the year online casino gambling gets legalized in Indiana.
Maryland
With House Bill No. 989 in 2018, Maryland began to take the possibility of legalizing gambling in the state seriously. The bill proposed to give operators a wagering license to provide services to gamblers 21 years old and above. Progress is slow-moving, but the senate voted 47-0 in favor of Maryland’s sports betting referendum. Moreover, leaders are looking into legalizing the online gambling sector. If discussions remain in favor of gambling, land-based and online gambling might be legal in Maryland by 2021.
Massachusetts
Senate Bill 2273 requested a comprehensive look into sports betting and its positive economic impact on the state of Massachusetts. This resulted in the discussion of the legalization of fantasy sports. In 2018, there’s a white paper that detailed a roadmap for online gambling introduction to the state. More documents were added to the mix in 2019. Massachusetts’s incessant attempt to legalize online gambling might pave the way for such a possibility in 2021.
Missouri
Missouri already has some riverboat casinos that have betting licenses. The state also allowed some companies to provide betting services on fantasy sports. There have been bills requesting for gambling industry expansion in Missouri since 2018 covering both online sports betting and casino games. Three state leaders filed separate proposals regarding this matter even before the first legislative session of the new year opened.
Nebraska
There have been efforts to legalize gambling in Nebraska for a long time. The state finally gave a thumbs-up on land-based casinos in 2020. The year also saw state senator Justine Wayne introducing a bill to classify sports betting as games of skills. Gambling receives undeniable support from some state leaders. As such, Nebraska is one of the states that might expand gambling to include the online sector in 2021.
New York
State-level sports gambling has been legal in New York since 2013, but the first sportsbook opened only in 2019. Legal gambling in the Big Apple does not include the online marketplace yet, but there have been ongoing efforts. Two state senators already proposed online gambling expansion. Moreover, New York governor Andrew Cuomo recently made proposals regarding mobile sports betting in the state. This can result in a more in-depth assessment of not only online sports betting but also casino games. With more state leaders backing up the gambling industry, anything is possible. Online gambling might end up getting a full nod in New York City in 2021.
Rhode Island
Currently, there are legal sportsbooks in Rhode Island with only two in-state casinos that can offer legal sports gambling. However, online and mobile betting is also being planned. If approved, online casinos will be the most obvious next move. That’s something online casino enthusiasts in Rhode Island can watch out for.
Virginia
There has been an abrupt change in Virginia’s gambling landscape recently. Lawmakers allowed iLottery, sports betting, and five casinos all at once. The lottery offers not only the typical draw tickets but also some games resembling slots. If the online lottery and mobile sportsbooks proved advantageous, online gambling would expand more in Virginia.
Conclusion
Recent events might have caused the perspective shift of most USA states concerning online gambling. The positive impact of the iGaming industry in the economy has been undeniable in New Jersey. As such, more state leaders are pushing for legalization and expansion of the gambling landscape in their state. This will pave the way for more legal online gambling sites available for USA players. It won’t be long before American punters see new online casinos legally operating in the USA.
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Links:
- https://elitesportsny.com/2021/01/14/ny-governor-cuomo-opens-the-door-for-more-with-online-sports-betting/
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/online-gambling-legalization-creates-new-opportunities-for-players-to-bet-on-new-platforms-301202519.html
- https://www.sigma.com.mt/news/which-states-could-legalise-online-gambling-in-2021
