Online gambling has quickly grown into a global industry over the last several years. While most jurisdictions have accepted some form of online gambling, some still maintain cautionary stances towards this activity. Although players in such jurisdictions may still gamble online, it is wise to ensure they use legitimate gambling sites that comply with local regulations when doing so.
Since its initial popularity in the 1990s, online gambling has been an ongoing source of debate over its legality. Due to being able to evade government regulations that typically prohibit it, gambling online has enabled operators to operate more effectively while creating a complex legal environment that has led many states to reconsider their prohibitions of the practice.
Legality issues surrounding online gambling remain complex; however, that has not prevented most states from legalizing some form of iGaming activity. Some states have chosen to allow sports betting while others have expanded their iGaming markets to include casino games, poker and daily fantasy sports. The United States Department of Justice also played an influential role in expanding iGaming markets with their decision to alter how they interpret the Wire Act of 1961 allowing more states to legalize these activities.
As of 2023, most states have legalized home betting on sports events or casino games from home. Some states may limit what types of bets can be placed; Colorado allows its residents to wager on college sports but does not permit player prop bets during those games.
Hawaii stands apart from most states on this list by not permitting online or casino-style gambling at all. Although one of the most populated states, placing bets online or at casinos located there remains illegal.
Pine Tree State gambling laws present more challenges, as it only recently passed legislation authorizing land-based casinos and has not permitted for an online casino to open yet; but this could change in the near future.
Pennsylvania is another state which has recently legalized online casino gambling, shortly after legal sports betting was made available in their state. Pennsylvania currently offers iGaming through lottery services and will likely expand further with additional forms of iGaming in the near future.
Nebraska rounds out this list, featuring fairly straightforward gambling laws. While Nebraska may not be known for online gambling, land-based casinos and lottery online betting have both been legalized, in addition to sports wagering. Unfortunately, at present Nebraska does not permit any form of iGaming such as RNG gaming; this likely won’t change anytime soon.