Are Online Casinos Legal in the USA?

Are you one of the millions of Americans asking yourself "are online casinos legal in the USA?" If so, you'll be glad to know that the answer is a resounding yes. While there are some laws in place that are supposed to prevent the practice from occurring at all, not a single person in the country has ever been arrested, nor will they ever be arrested, for choosing to gamble in any establishment on the web.

What Are the Laws?

There's a reason why so many people continue to ask "are online casinos legal in the USA?" First of all, prior to 2006, the internet gambling industry was absolutely booming in this country. Hundreds of thousands of people were able to compete in real-money settings by processing financial transactions between their financial institutions and these establishments. However, the problem was that many of the venues that individuals chose to frequent were located offshore, meaning that US dollars were leaving the country never to be seen again. Because there was no real 'quick fix' and the government had no means of regulating an industry that was operated mainly outside of its borders, the UIGEA, or Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, was passed in 2006. Though it didn't criminalize the act for those who choose to participate, it does make it difficult for banks and casinos to do business with one another. As such, many of the establishments that were once open in the US either closed their doors or shunned Americans. Of course, it is still possible to find some casinos out there that will welcome these people with open arms, but there are some risks involved. Namely, should the government choose to black-flag a particular site, it is entirely possible that all of the members could lose all of the money that was in their accounts at the time.

So, are online casinos legal in the USA? For the players, the answer is yes. You will never be criminally punished for choosing to make a real-cash deposit in any gambling institution on the web. However, you should take the time to understand the risks before you do so.

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