What Is Online Gambling?
Online Gambling is the use of a computer or a smartphone to place a wager on a game of chance or casino. The wager can be made on sports, virtual poker, or casinos.
There are various types of online gambling and they are legal in many countries, though not all. One of the most common forms of online gambling is Sports betting. Some provinces in Canada have legalized it and some other states have approved it.
It is important to understand the laws governing online gambling. Although the United States does not have any specific gambling laws, some state laws might affect your activities.
For example, the Travel Act applies to players who use interstate facilities for illegal activities. If your actions fall under the Travel Act, you can face criminal prosecution.
A recent case involved the founders of three of the largest online poker companies. They faced charges of money laundering and violations of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA).
In addition to the federal government, many states have also enforced laws against illegal gambling online. State officials have been worried about the ability of the internet to bring in illicit gambling from outside the country.
This issue has been argued on constitutional grounds, as well. The Commerce Clause and the Due Process Clause have been debated. However, these attacks have been less successful.
Another issue has been the need for licensing for online gambling services. In some cases, the creators of the websites must remain outside of the United States.