The law of gambling, at least in the United States, is a complex and multi-dimensional subject. There are several federal statutes that govern the conduct of illegal Internet gambling, as well as state-specific laws that regulate betting in general. These statutes include the Wire Act, the Illegal Gambling Business Act, and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. Nevertheless, even if a state does not pass legislation allowing online sports betting, many Americans can play their favorite casino games online.
There are many reasons to bet on sports. Whether you are watching the game in person, or you are playing a game of your favorite team, there are a wide variety of sports wagers to choose from. Most Americans can bet on their favorite teams or events, but some are limited to out-of-state wagers. For those that want to place bets on college basketball, football, or baseball, a variety of sportsbooks are available to choose from. Currently, a handful of states allow online gambling, and more are on the way.
One of the biggest surprises when it comes to legal online gambling is that many Americans are not aware that they can bet on sports in their own homes. As a result, it is difficult to determine how the law affects individual bettors. The state of New Hampshire, for example, has a unique, monopoly-like model for the industry. Unlike most states, New Hampshire prohibits collegiate wagering, but only has one tribal casino. As a result, the state does not permit eSports betting, and a few wagers on out-of-state sports are not allowed.
The most efficient form of online gambling is likely to be sports betting. While most states have yet to legalize this practice, the state of Illinois does. In fact, there is a growing list of states that will be able to place bets on the sports of their choice within the next year. In addition, there are a few casinos in Colorado, Arizona, and Nevada that have made the leap to legal online sports betting. This, of course, puts a large number of Americans in an advantageous position.
While the UIGEA is certainly the most common governing law, there are other federal statutes whose impact on illegal Internet bets is less clear. However, they are all related to the same gimmick. A few of them involve the same aforementioned ‘Mirror-Me-Moves-Me-Mirror’ adage.
The federal government is pursuing a multi-pronged approach to enforcing federal gambling statutes. In addition to imposing fines and jail terms, the government also has the power to seize funds from companies that accept payments from people who have engaged in illegal gambling activities. In the case of Sporting News, the company agreed to pay a $3 million public service campaign. Additionally, the US Marshal’s office seized $3.2 million from a Discovery Communications subsidiary.
The Federal Communications Commission, meanwhile, has the option to prohibit or discontinue the use of facilities for online gambling. Although some of these efforts have been successful, they have not.