The laws governing online gambling vary from state to state. While gambling is legal on a federal level, each state has the right to regulate various aspects of the industry. Currently, twenty states allow residents to wager on sports and other events through online gambling websites. Other states have limited laws on online gambling, but still allow players to take part in online sports betting and poker.
Online gambling began to grow in popularity in the 1990s as a way to circumvent government control. The Internet made it possible for people to easily access gambling sites from anywhere in the world with a computer and a credit card. As the number of online gambling websites increased, the federal government began to look at regulations.
In the late 1990s, legislation to regulate online gambling was drafted in the U.S. Senate. Bob Goodlatte and Jon Kyl introduced bills that would have restricted online gambling to state lotteries and horse racing. While these bills didn’t pass, they have been reintroduced in the U.S. House and Senate.
Before signing up for an online gambling site, make sure it has a valid gambling license. This is a sign that the online casino is legitimate and doesn’t engage in illicit practices. In addition, make sure you find an online gambling site that offers secure banking and payment options.