Is Online Gambling Legal?
When people first discovered online gambling, they were a little skeptical. At first, it appeared that it was a way to circumvent government regulation, as operators of online casinos could operate from a foreign jurisdiction. But this was not the case, and anyone with a web browser and a credit card could find an online casino and place bets. That was all the proof that the industry was legal, and the Department of Justice and Congress started investigating the issue.
Now, more people are looking into online gambling as a safe and fun way to spend their free time. While most countries allow online gambling, there are some jurisdictions that still have strict rules in place. In the European Union, most countries have legalized it, and several Caribbean nations have also made it legal. In addition, the United States filed a federal lawsuit against three of the largest online poker sites in 2010, accusing them of violating the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) and money laundering.
The Internet is widely accessible to the public and is no longer restricted to those who live in those countries. However, many governments still restrict online gambling, and it is not legal in every country. In the United States, most states have legalized it, and several countries in the Caribbean have also regulated it. As such, the online gambling industry requires service providers to get a license from the appropriate licensing authority. For example, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and the United Kingdom’s Gambling Commission regulate the industry.