In the last couple of years, online gambling has become more and more popular. The Internet has enabled people to play games of chance such as slots and video poker from the comfort of their homes. Online casinos have also made it possible to play a variety of other games including virtual poker and sports betting. These gambling activities have grown in popularity because they offer convenience, promotions and rewards. It is estimated that the gambling industry is worth approximately $40 billion each year worldwide. However, in some countries, online gambling is still illegal.
While many state laws prohibit gambling on the Internet, there are federal criminal statutes that are also implicated by illegal online gambling. For example, Section 1956 of the United States Code creates laundering to disguise, evade taxation, and conceal unlawful activity. And the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) regulates commercial gambling activity.
UIGEA is a complex set of federal statutes that can be confusing to the average internet user. Although the statute is not comprehensive, it does include a handful of relevant federal criminal statutes. Of these, the most significant is Section 1956. This section creates several distinct crimes, namely, laundering for international purposes, law enforcement stings, and concealing unlawful activity.
The United States has recently faced challenges to its authority to enforce its gambling laws on constitutional grounds. The First Amendment has been cited in these cases. In particular, the First Amendment has been used to argue that the government cannot punish individuals for speech that facilitates the crime of gambling. But this argument has been largely unsuccessful.
Another legal wrangle involves the Travel Act, which essentially prohibits people from using interstate facilities for unlawful activities. This includes Internet casinos, which are essentially legal in some states.
A number of state officials have expressed concern that the Internet can be used to bring illegal gambling into their jurisdictions. Several states have already taken action, and many others will soon join the ranks. Currently, only a few states have legalized Internet casinos. Some states, including Illinois, are experimenting with online sports betting. Other states, such as Kentucky, have yet to make their intentions known.
Despite the lack of clarity in this area, online gambling is quickly becoming an important part of daily life for a growing number of Americans. Nearly half of the nation will be able to place bets on sports in the near future. Those who want to gamble can do so through a variety of platforms, including desktop computer, mobile device, and tablet. Many sports betting operators use websites.
As more states legalize the online gambling industry, it will be interesting to see how these states approach the issue. Some of these states are making the right moves. Several of them, such as Indiana, are poised to launch their own online casinos in the next few years. Several of these states are also expected to adopt other online gambling-related statutes in the future.