The current state of online gambling in the US can be found somewhere between murky and confusing. Certain states, like Utah and Hawaii, prohibit all forms of online gaming while others such as New Jersey have legalized an array of gaming options including casino gaming. Furthermore, legislation changes over time as new laws come into effect or existing ones get altered.
In the early 1990s, several congressional bills were proposed to restrict online gambling outside of pari-mutuel horse racing and state lotteries. Unfortunately, these efforts failed; however, in 1996 Kahnawake Gaming Commission was established in Canada to manage an official licensing procedure for operators of online casinos and poker sites; since then it has licensed several of the world’s leading sites.
Since 2011, numerous legislative efforts were undertaken to further regulate online gambling. The Interstate Wire Act was amended in 2011 to permit sports betting payments across state lines – opening up opportunities for online sports gambling – while still prohibiting all other types of online gambling activities.
New Jersey was the first state to legalize online gambling in 2013, permitting residents over 21 to engage in virtual versions of casino classics like poker and slots. One year later, New Jersey introduced their online sports betting platform; later reauthorizing this law for continued availability of sports wagering until 2028.
At present, New Mexico prohibits all forms of online gambling and betting, although social casinos and retail sportsbooks offering limited wagering options may exist within its borders. There have been recent efforts to introduce legislation which would enable its residents to legally wager real money at online casinos; efforts which may lead to legislation being passed that allows this option.
Minnesota does not yet permit online casinos or sports betting; however, state lawmakers are considering changing their laws to legalize these forms of gambling. A legislative committee has been formed to examine this issue; should legislation pass, it could become available as early as 2024.
Alabama’s online casino gambling laws are extremely limited, yet there are signs that this might change in 2018. Residents are permitted to participate in daily fantasy sports since 2017 and legislative efforts are currently underway to create a full spectrum of legal gambling options online.