The US online gambling industry is rapidly growing. According to available information, the sector is growing at an annual rate of 11.6%, and by 2023 should reach $92.9 billion. Estimates say that new technology will boost that growth and that the market could go up at a staggering rate of 14.78% in the next four years.
For a long time, the 1961 Wire Act regulated the (online) gambling sector in the US. This piece of legislation came into effect before the internet existed and simply couldn’t keep up with the digital age. That’s why in 2011, the Department of Justice opted to allow states to decide by themselves if they want to make online gambling legal or not.
In 2018, the US Supreme Court wrote history after overruling the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in a move that effectively lifted the ban on sports betting. That was an important step, although the DOJ later concluded that the 1961 Wire Act doesn’t cover online betting, limiting states to offer the activity only to their residents.
WHERE ONLINE CASINO GAMBLING IS ALLOWED
Gambling in all of its forms (online and offline) is legal in the US, which means every state can regulate in its own way.
The list of states where US plates can gamble online is long, although each state regulates the activity differently. At the moment, online sports betting is the most widespread form of online gambling, although most states are not so open-minded when it comes to online casinos.
NEW JERSEY
As a response to the economic situation in Atlantic City, the Garden State became the first US state to allow online gambling. In February 2013, New Jersey passed Bill A2578, while the market went live later that year.
At the moment, the online casino market in New Jersey is the healthiest one in the country. More than twenty operators are offering their services in the state, with many others eager to get their share of the action. Many established land-based casinos in Atlantic City have gone online, together with renowned international companies. Players have a wide choice of online casino sites to play at and plenty of online casino games to enjoy.
PENNSYLVANIA
It took Pennsylvania nearly six years to join New Jersey in offering online casino gambling. The state made online gambling legal in late 2017, but the first products reached the new market more than eighteen months later.
Today, Pennsylvania has a thriving online casino gambling market. More than ten casinos offer players to enjoy gaming online, while the leading land-based gaming giants also joined in on the fun by launching their digital divisions. Although Pennsylvania was relatively slow to start, it has become the country’s fastest-growing market.
WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia approved online casinos in March 2019, after Governor Jim Justice signed the bill into law. Interestingly enough, the Governor owns an in-state casino himself.
However, it did take some time before online casino gambling became available to players in the Mountain State. Online casino gambling was launched in July 2020, with DraftKings officially opening West Virginia’s market. A month later, BetMGM joined in on the action with The Greenbrier, a property owned by Governor Justice.
Every land-based casino doing business in West Virginia can get an online casino license and may hold up to three skins. That means that up to fifteen online casinos can establish their operations in the state. Although it may take a bit to fill each slot, players in West Virginia will have more options to choose from.
MICHIGAN
Not many states can rival Michigan when it comes to available legal online gambling options. The legislature that made online casino gambling legal was passed in 2019. Just like Pennsylvania and West Virginia, Michigan also needed a bit of time to launch the new market.
Michigan online casinos went live in early 2021. Under the provisions of the existing legislation, the Great Lakes States may offer up to fifteen online casinos. Each of the state’s three commercial gambling venues can have an online partner, as well as one for every federally recognized tribe in Michigan (there are twelve of them).
DELAWARE
Delaware has been at the forefront of online gambling in the US. Together with New Jersey and Nevada, it was one of the first states to discuss the introduction of online gambling seriously.
Delaware made online casino gambling legal in 2012, although the market was launched more than a year later. Online casinos in Delaware are regulated by the state and have to be tied to one of the land-based gambling venues doing business in the Blue Hen State. All forms of online gambling are allowed in Delaware.
Three regulated internet casinos are operating in Delaware, and they use the 888 Holdings platform.
Online casino gambling is a segment with huge potential. Due to economic and health factors, it is expected that it’s going to become more widely accepted across the States. We can also look forward to seeing changes in this field in the coming period. These changes could be very beneficial not only for states but for their residents as well, as they would offer more transparent and secure gaming options.
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