Written by: DorettaMagos

Category: Blog

Published: January 12, 2024

As it stands nowadays, individual states are free to prohibit or practice gambling of their borders while significant restrictions and limits are placed on interstate and this activity. Recently, online video games has seen harsher regulations. With the Unlawful Web Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIEGA), it was not explicitly banned but rather it was online financial transactions that were outlawed. This meant that all online financial dealings from gambling providers were now illegal which resulted in several offshore gambling operators excluding US clients from their services.

Existing in this lawful grey area, it is no more a concern of if online gambling will enter the US market but when and perhaps how. As just lately as this month, three states have legalized online gambling and plan to begin offering bets by the end of the year. Naturally, a gaming firm in Las Vegas referred to as Ultimate Gaming was the first to offer online poker but also for now restricting it to only players in Nevada. Luxe88 and Delaware also have legalized online gambling therefore far ten other states are considering legalizing it in some form or another.

Frank Fahrenkopf, president of the American Gaming Association has stated that “Unless there exists a federal bill passed, we are going to have the best expansion of legalized gambling in the United States. I don’t believe that’s what anyone intended, but it is what we’re viewing.” This poses many questions and of course concerns for most existing commercial casinos as well as American policy makers. Will legitimate online gambling mean fewer men and women in offline casinos? Will this develop a new way to obtain revenue at the state and national level? What about taxes and regulations? An increase in gamblers?

Many people including Arnie Wexler, previous chairman of New Jersey’s Council On Compulsive Gambling features voiced concern that with the good this could do to create income and revenue for specific states there may be problems with a rise in compulsive gambling. There is particular concern regarding social media in the US as some areas like Zynga have already begun taking real-money bets.

Taking in mind the questions and concerns, many resort casinos are already making ideas to extend into online gambling to complement their physical casinos. Geoffrey Stewart, general supervisor of Caesars INTERNET POKER has said “Like any other business, you’re always looking for what is the next distribution channel.”