Gambling Legal In New Jersey
In the U.S.A., there are three major laws pertaining to online gambling. One law pertains to online gambling on the whole, while the other two laws that are specifically about sports betting. Even then, one of these laws pertaining to sports betting is solely based on the licensing and creation of sportsbooks in each individual state. We have listed some background to these laws, and we have also included the text of the law on our page.
- Online Legal Casino Gambling In New Jersey
- Is Casino Legal In New Jersey
- Is Sports Gambling Legal In New Jersey
The major law pertaining to online gambling in the United States is the UIGEA, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. The UIGEA 'prohibits gambling businesses from knowingly accepting payments in connection with the participation of another person in a bet or wager that involves the use of the Internet and that is unlawful under any federal or state law.' This has effectively made it illegal for gambling sites and payment processors to accept these payments. Though the title of the law makes it sound like online gambling is illegal, it does not. Even state attorneys have admitted that online gambling is not illegal for the players, instead this law has effectively clumped the money laundering into online gambling - once again, this is only for payment processors and gambling sites.
Read the latest legal gambling news from the US. Updates, reviews and more. Is Gambling Legal in Missouri and what are the best online casinos for players in MO? Top Online Casinos in.
Next up we come to the Wire Act of 1961. Written back in the 60's to combat organized crime, the Wire Act states a few things. First, let's look at the wall of text that is this law:
'Whoever being engaged in the business of betting or wagering knowingly uses a wire communication for facility for the transmission in interstate or foreign commerce of bets or wagers or information assisting in the placing of bets or wagers or any sporting event or contest, or for the transmission of a wire communication which entitles the recipient to receive money or credit as a result of bets or wagers, or for the information assisting in the placing of bets or wagers, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.'
Since the Wire Act states wire communication, there has been some confusion over whether or not the laws pertain to the Internet. Though the Internet does use wires to transfer information, it had not been invented when the law was written. The Wire Act has also been ruled to only cover sports gambling and nothing more. Casino games and poker games have not been covered by the Wire Act. The courts have not yet determined whether or not there is a ban on online gambling due to this law.
Finally we come to the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992. More commonly referred to as the PASPA, or the Bradley Act, this law was written to determine the legality of wagering on sports in the United States. The PASPA has made it so only a few states in the nation can actually host sports lotteries. Oregon, Delaware, Montana and Nevada are the only states who can license anything closely resembling a sports betting scheme. Nevada has taken full advantage of this, while Delaware has done what they can - three game parlays on NFL games. Oregon and Montana have not regulated any sportsbooks. They are entitled to, but they have not actually used it. Whether or not this means sportsbooks licensed offshore operating in the United States can function legitimately.
So, there has little effort to actually ban online gambling in the United States, on a federal level. No arrest has been made due to this, so you will generally not have to worry about being indicted under any of these laws. For the most part, they only pertain to operating a gambling site. This effectively transfers liability away from you as the player. Remember that this is only based on the federal level, as the state's have their own right to determine whether or not online gambling is legal in the state.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal In The United States?
This is a bit tricky and it all depends on your definition of legal as well as interpretation of the laws. Using offshore sports betting sites are only held back by the Wire Act which as stated earlier prohibits sports betting through wire communication. In other words, if you're not present when making your bet at a regulated sportsbook, it is in violation of this act. However, it is widely debated that this law doesn't apply to the consumer either. Like state laws, the Wire Act primarily targets bookmakers, not the bettors. And even then, unless the betting sites operates on U.S. soil, there really isn't much that can be done about it. Below are our recommendations for sports betting sites that allow Americans to wager. Like the other sites we list, we use these sites ourselves and can attest to their quality.
BetOnline - Accepts Numerous Deposit Methods, Makes Everything Easy For USA Players
There are other online bookmakers that accept U.S. players that we like as much as BetOnline but they don't accept bettors from all 50 states. We're all about accessibility and that is the reason why BetOnline heads this group of legal US sports betting sites. And, BetOnline is very efficient which is always the mark of a well oiled machine. But, BetOnline didn't get to where it's at now overnight. They built trust with USA players and BetOnline is as discreet as they come. Their reputation for a safe online gaming environment combined with reliable payouts, a 25% to $900 bonus on every deposit, and all the sports you could ever want to wager on makes BetOnline the flagship for legal online sports betting in the U.S.
Are Online Casinos Legal In The United States?
Right now, unless you live in one of the states where online gambling is prohibited (listed to the right) it is not illegal to play online casino games for real money. And, even if you do live in one of those states, the chances of you ever being prosectued is slim to none. The state laws are out to get proprietors and operators of online gambling sites, and traditional gambling establishments for that matter, not the consumers of the product. Below is our online casino that has gotten the best user-reviews and it legally accepts players from all 50 U.S. States.
Lucky Red Casino - Operates Offshore, Not Subject To U.S. or State Gaming Laws
To start, you should know that we trust Lucky Red with our own money when we want to gamble in an online casino. We know that it is safe, and that Lucky Red is very discreet so the only way you could even potentially get into trouble is if you go blabbing all around town about it. Lucky Red accepts all USA players and even offers an outstanding 400% to $4,000 (LUCKYRED400) welcome bonus for those who want to play slots or a generous 100% to $1,000 (LUCKYRED100) bonus which can be used on most other games. Deposits are easy and legal as Lucky Red uses several reputable third party processors which ensure success. For legal casino gambling that can't be beat, you've got to try Lucky Red.
Is Online Poker Legal In The United States?
Again, this is a bit tricky to explain but only because there are a lot of misconceptions. The straight up answer is yes, but events like Black Friday have stained the reputation of a lot providers in the industry. The truth is that the poker sites that folded (no pun intended) were really companies you didn't want to do business with in the first place. Money laundering and other charges is what brought these sites down... not providing online poker to players in the United States. Still, a lot of new and previous online poker players are still wary from being burned. For this reason, it is paramount to online recommend poker sites which have reputable backing with a strong foundation in the industry. Because of that, you will not see many sites recommended below but do know that the ones we list are by the books.
Bovada - Accepts All U.S. Players Except Those In New York, Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey & Maryland.
We don't like teasing you with something that you might not be able to use but with online poker we have to be careful. As we stated above, it comes down to using a reputable company and not the online gambling laws. With that said, we absolutely recommend Bovada. You may not have heard the name yet, but chances are you have heard of Bodog. Well, Bovada is Bodog only rebranded for a North American audience. Bodog was probably the biggest name in all-around online gambling types for U.S. players until Bovada was launched and took it's place. Unfortunately, not all of you will be able to play there... those in New York, Utah, Maryland, and Washington state will need to find another option. But, all other 45 states are welcome to come and play freely. Bovada always has tons of tables running plus tournaments that seem to start hourly or sooner. Plus, their 50% to $250 deposit bonus is another reason to join. We rely on Bovada and you can too... even if you have been burned before.
Contents
As discussed in a previous article on the legality of playing blackjack online, the gambling industry in America is one of the most structured and developed gambling environments in the world. It is surprising then, that out of all countries in the world, the US probably has the most confusing situation when it comes to online casinos.The majority of this confusion stems from the fact that online gambling is partly regulated by federal laws and partly by individual states. Moreover, since each state approaches the subject in a different manner, the average US player is left baffled when trying to decide whether using online casinos is legal in their state.
Current Federal US Laws That Regulate Online Casinos
Here’s a statement no one was expecting — no federal law in the US says that online gambling is illegal. However, it also doesn’t say that it is legal, which makes the market a gray area. US citizens are allowed to place wagers online, but only if the website isn’t based in the US.
The US federal law explicitly prohibits banks — or any other financial institution — to knowingly process transactions between a known web-based gambling business and US-based customers. In essence, it is illegal for your bank to handle a withdrawal or deposit to or from your casino account. That was the goal of the much-grumbled-about UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act).
You should notice, however, that it isn’t a crime for a US-based player to make or request a transaction — it’s just illegal for the bank to process them.
When it comes to lawmaking, the Tenth Amendment of the US Constitution states that anything that doesn’t have a specifically granted Federal purview and jurisdiction is up to the states. Thus, the Federal Government has not taken any stance related to gambling taking place within individual states — it up to individual states to do that.
The only two areas that the Federal Government regulates are:
- Interstate Commerce
The consequences of the first were already explained. The latter resulted in allowing states such as New Jersey to have online casinos, but only if they are being offered to US citizens physically located within New Jersey’s boundaries.
Casino Laws by State
Current States’ Laws That Regulate Online Casinos
If federal law was all that US players had to consider, the legality of web gambling would be a lot easier to talk about. Unfortunately for US-based gamblers, US state law is sometimes more restrictive than federal law.
So how strict are US state laws on internet gambling? Some US states have laws that explicitly prohibit all forms of online gambling.
Those are:
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Illinois
- Montana
- Oregon
- Louisiana
- Utah
- Hawaii
State law prohibits the residents of these states from placing any kind of bet over the internet, regardless of federal regulation. Other states are less strict but are still restrictive — in South Dakota, for example, anyone in “the gambling business” is not allowed to place online bets, which is a really quirky law if you think about it.
Long story short, some US players have to walk a thin line if they want to play in an online casino while remaining within the confines of the law. Thankfully, the US rarely prosecutes online gamblers. We only found two instances where an online gambler broke a law, and both come from politically conservative states.
States in Which Online Casinos Are Legal
Thankfully, several states are more liberal toward online gambling and allow online casinos to operate in their area.
New Jersey
The state of New Jersey doesn’t prohibit online casinos and online poker. It is currently the biggest market for regulated online gambling in the US. Over a dozen licensed and legal online casino websites and poker rooms compete for their place in the sun in a market that is worth over $255 million per year.
Pennsylvania
In PA, online casinos were launched in July 2019 and online poker in November 2019. Gamblers have the option to bet in person or online via mobile app or website. Many Pennsylvanian major land-based casinos have created their online casino versions too.
Delaware
In Delaware, online casinos and online poker were launched at the same time — in November 2013. Although the First State seems like a strange location for amazing web-based gambling, that’s exactly what it is.
Michigan
As of December 20, 2019, online casinos and online poker are legal in the state of Michigan. However, operators are limited to a single online skin, and multi-state games aren’t permitted. Each of the 23 tribal and three commercial casinos can apply for licensing, but online casinos are still waiting to be legalized.
Online Legal Casino Gambling In New Jersey
Nevada
Even though it is an unofficial birthplace of American gambling, the state of Nevada only allows online poker in designated poker rooms. Yes, they do have a legal WSOP website, but other online casino games are prohibited.
Offshore Casinos — A Handy Alternative
Even if you aren’t physically located in the states where online casinos are legal, there is still a way to find some quality entertainment online — by playing in offshore casinos.
Any US citizen can legally access these licensed offshore gaming platforms from most states. As we already explained, in Washington, Wisconsin, Montana, Illinois, Utah, Hawaii, Oregon, and Louisiana, all forms of online gambling are explicitly forbidden.
If you are wondering whether it is safe to play in casinos that aren’t licensed in the United States, the answer is yes. These casinos are legitimate and have clearly defined guidelines and rules that ensure a safe and fair gaming environment.
In addition, in order to offer casino games to gambling enthusiasts and be able to do business around the globe, offshore casinos need a license from reputable gambling jurisdictions, which makes them safe and trustworthy.
Moreover, since no federal law prevents US-based players from gambling in licensed offshore casinos, they can enjoy playing their favorite games on these platforms. Safe online casinos that accept US citizens possess valid certificates and licenses and are monitored by reputable governing bodies. They also have enticing welcome bonuses, a slew of interesting games, and a protected online gaming environment.
Future of US Laws That Regulate Online Casinos
The future is bright. Really bright. The biggest obstacle toward legalizing online casinos in the US was that the government was trying to stop the gradual loss of citizens’ interest in their official gambling zones — Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Since that has already happened, there is nothing that stands in the way of progressive legalization of online casinos across the nation.
Not to mention the fact that states without legal online casinos are starting to lose gambling aficionados who travel across state lines in order to play in states where gambling is legal. For instance, the legislative trend in New York is going toward expansion of gambling activities rather than contraction, since the state doesn’t want to lose its players to its neighbor New Jersey.
FAQ
You need to be at least 21. Even though the legal age limit for the online lottery is 18, you have to be 21 to play in an online casino. It is likely that lawmakers will decide to change the limit in the future.
In the states where they are legalized, online casinos must follow strict regulations and are therefore completely safe. However, you should exercise due diligence — always do thorough research before you decide to join a casino.
Yes, you can; many casinos offer these games. Lately, a lot of online casinos have begun introducing this section on their platforms. Live casino games are popular since they offer a genuine casino experience. Of course, not all online casinos sport a Live Casino section, so make sure you find those that do.
Is Casino Legal In New Jersey
Just like all other industries today, the online casino industry is very competitive, meaning there is a myriad of casino games at your disposal. Any land-based casino game you can think of probably has an online version. What’s more, online casinos can often surprise you and you can run into some games you’ve never even heard of.
To cater to the needs of their players and thus remain competitive, the majority of online casinos offer a broad selection of payment methods. This results in easy and secure online payments. Of course, the processing time depends on the payment option you select.
Is Sports Gambling Legal In New Jersey
Yes, you can. Online casinos, like other websites, understand the importance of mobile optimization and do everything in their power to meet the needs of their players. Since many players prefer to use their smartphones to play games, most casinos either have a fully optimized mobile site or a dedicated mobile app.