Will I Go To Jail For Gambling In The U.S.?
This is a question many of you may be asking yourselves. Gambling has a bit of a negative stigma. The media has been successful in portraying gambling as a sleazy activity favored by degenerates. This could not be further from the truth. While it is true, as with any activity, that some people take it too far, the average citizen really should have nothing to fear from gambling. If you are worried about going to jail, we are here to lay your fears to rest. There is no way you will go to jail for gambling, because it is a legal and regulated activity.
Is Gambling Legal In The US?
The easy answer is yes, but it’s not quite that simple. Land-based casino gambling and poker is legal in over half of the states. Sports betting is not allowed in all but two states, Nevada and Delaware. Online gambling is prohibited in all but three states (Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey). It all boils down to federal laws versus state laws, which we will examine in greater detail later on. Any way you look at it, the laws aren’t aimed at average gamblers, but criminal who are breaking the law on a massive scale.
Has Anyone Ever Gone To Jail For Gambling Online?
No, this has never occurred! The government is not interested in locking up Joe Everyman and Jane Doe when they play at gambling sites for US residents. The laws exist basically to prevent large-scale criminal activity, organized crime, and mob-related bookmaking schemes. On April 15, 2011, the three biggest online poker websites in America were shut down on what came to be known as Black Friday. Even then, no one was arrested, and players were making enormous profits. What it all comes down to is that there is no law that targets individuals who gamble.
Federal Laws Regarding Gambling
There are three main federal laws in place that dictate gambling activities for the states. They are the Wire Act, which prevents gambling organizations from transferring currency or information relating to gambling across state lines; the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which relegates sports betting to just two states, Nevada and Delaware; and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), which regulates online gambling specifically. The way it is now, only Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware have online gambling sites. There is no federal law, however, that says you can’t use an online casino based outside of the United States.
Best Online Sportsbooks
State Laws Regarding Gambling
States are for the most part allowed to regulate land-based casinos and poker rooms. Currently, over half of the states have some form of land-based gambling. Most states are not allowed to regulate their own sportsbooks or online casinos because of the three federal laws we have just mentioned. There is plenty of controversy surrounding the issue. Many lawmakers make the claim that federal law allowing only Nevada and Delaware to have sportsbooks is unconstitutional and discriminatory. New Jersey lawmakers are currently in the middle of challenging PASPA.
Legal Gambling Sites For US Players
There are many super safe gambling sites for US players. Since land-based options are rather limited, online casinos are the best options for most people. The safest online gambling sites for US players are pretty much all located outside of the United States. They are some of the biggest and most popular sites, with great reputations and millions of satisfied members. They offer great features that traditional land-based casinos do not have, such as bonuses, mobile betting and live in-game play. The convenience of these sites make them more appealing to people who don’t have the time or money to travel to a land-based casino. The best online casinos make safety and security their number one priority. You can be sure that you will never have any problems if you sign up with a safe online casino for US players.
Are Online Gambling Sites Safe?
Yes, online gambling sites are safe as long as you are using one that is legal. All of the sites based overseas are legal because they do not have to follow US law. You should always check to make sure the site you are using has a license and good reputation. You can usually tell if a site has a good reputation by the number of members, customer feedback, certificates of quality, and an overall legitimate-looking layout. Even if you are using a site that is disreputable, that has more to do with the site itself than the law. Any way you slice it, you will not be arrested for using an online site because no laws exists to make that possible.
How Old Do I Have To Be To Gamble In The US?
Age limits depend on the state. The minimum is 18, but you may be required to be older depending on the state you live in. Many states set the age limit at 21, although some states have a legal gray area where it’s some unspecified number between 18 and 21, and some states don’t have any age laws at all. If you are unsure, it’s wise to contact your states legislator to find out.