Legal online casinos are not only a popular way to blow off some steam but also a contentious issue attracting vastly different views from the state governing forces across the USA. North Carolina (NC) developed a particularly tough stance against gambling more than 260 years ago with the introduction of a suite of anti-gambling laws. Although lotteries, slots, and electronic poker were legalized prior to 2012, NC has seen no such reprieve for online gambling, which is yet to be legalized or regulated. These restrictions are tough, but every state takes its own stance on the issue, from the liberal to the traditional.
California
Having permitted the operation of gambling establishments for more than a century, California is known as a state ahead of the curve. Although several traditional forms of gambling are prohibited, including race betting, slot machines, and social games of roulette, online gambling has become a fast-growing industry. Even so, it’s still illegal to start an online casino or gambling business, and the law is also tough on gambling enthusiasts who fail to pay taxes on their gambling earnings.
New Jersey
As gambling laws and regulations go in the US, many gambling enthusiasts would agree that New Jersey has the best regulation regarding online casinos. The state-wide stance on gambling is so liberal that the casinos here have been known to attract gambling enthusiasts from other more conservative states. Although the legalization of online casinos is a fairly new development, more licenses are being distributed to providers all the time.
Texas
Texans are under some of the strictest gambling laws in the US, so much so, that truly committed gamblers are inclined to board a casino boat in order to escape the laws of the land. In fact, the only physical venues around are the Native American casinos, since keeping a gambling place is illegal within the state unless it is built on Native American land. Although Penal Code 47.01 bans almost all forms of gambling, except dog and horse racing, punters are free to engage in the many readily-available online gambling opportunities.
Iowa
In the Hawkeye State, not only is online gambling legal, but local voters also considered the right to do so worthily of a referendum. Iowa is home to 24 licensed casinos spread across 19 cities which generate an annual total of $2 billion in revenue, and in case that doesn’t prove state-wide devotion, there’s also the option of riverboat gambling cruises and plenty of online casino options for those who live remotely.
Ohio
After a long gambling dry spell, Ohio has recently relaxed its tough gambling laws to make room for the practice in a number of forms, including online gambling. The practice is returning steadily and increasing in popularity each year, the increase in popularity driven by the desire to take advantage of the immensely valuable game being played just beyond the border. The state imposes no barrier to entry into online gambling for punters; however, as it remains illegal to operate an online casino within state borders, many providers have set up their home bases offshore or overseas.
West Virginia
Home to the well-established casino industry, West Virginia has suffered financially in recent years as surrounding states have begun to relax their gambling laws. The question of whether to invest in the establishment of new brick-and-mortar casinos or embrace the online alternative is intriguing to providers, as no law currently prevents people in West Virginia from getting their gambling fix online. In any case, legislation from 2019 affords casino operators the legal right to launch online casino games, which will no doubt catalyze the reformation of the industry.
Hawaii
The state of Hawaii has never been particularly invested in gambling, which is reflected in the fact that it is still one of only two states (Utah being the other) where all forms of gambling are illegal. Strict rules outlaw games of bingo and lottery, particularly at horse and dog tracks; however, over the years there have been attempts to bring a boost to the local tourism industry and a number of people have been keen to embrace the revenue-creation potential. If anything, the lack of physical casinos has only increased public interest in online gambling.
Gambling laws vary widely from state to state across the vast landscape of the United States, and it’s important to be cognizant of the differences. For many state governments, deciding on appropriate legislation is a matter of balancing public interest with the significant revenue generation gambling opportunities tend to create. In North Carolina, the laws will likely continue to adapt to more liberal times, much as they have in several other states.