Although online gambling in the United States is not currently legal, some states have begun the process of regulating it. Nevada and New Jersey have both approved of the practice and are in the process of implementing additional regulations. These cases are likely to continue on a state-by-state basis. Here is an overview of the most common legal issues that arise with online gambling.
The legality of online gambling is a hot topic, as federal and state laws differ considerably. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 aimed to limit banks’ transactions with illegal gambling sites, but does not define what exactly constitutes legal Internet gambling. In addition, the federal Wire Act, which was previously believed to prohibit all forms of online gambling, does not apply to online casinos, poker sites, or lottery sites.
There are two major types of online casinos: download-based and web-based. Download-based online casinos are those that require you to download software client. This software client works in place of browser support. As a result, they are typically faster than their web-based counterparts. The download also caches graphics and sound programs, which helps speed up the gaming experience. However, the initial download of casino software can be time-consuming. Moreover, internet downloads carry the risk of malware.