Generally speaking, gambling is any activity involving wagering, bets, or the sale of chances and chances. It includes pool games, roulette wheels, and lotteries to name a few. However, it also includes things such as betting on sporting events, or making legal or illegal bets. The legality of these activities is a matter of state law.
Aside from state law, federal law also plays a role in the online gambling space. Federal law has the power to enhance state law, i.e. prohibiting financial transaction providers from receiving bets from illegal Internet gamblers. The government also has the power to nudge state enforcement policies in the right direction. The federal government has been able to levy fines on individuals that engage in illegal Internet gambling, while at the same time reinforcing state law in the process.
Aside from the aforementioned state and federal laws, there are also a variety of laws and regulations aimed at limiting the illegal nature of Internet gambling. Some of these laws include the Illegal Gambling Business Act (IGBA), the Wire Act, and the Travel Act. While the federal government has the power to punish individuals that engage in illegal Internet gambling, these laws are only as good as their enforcers. This has led to numerous legal challenges, and questions about the power of the Commerce Clause have been raised.
The most notable law passed by the United States is the Federal Wire Act, which is aimed at prosecuting individuals who engage in illegal Internet gambling, especially on sporting events. Other laws include the Gambling Devices Transportation Act (GDTA), which is also known as the Johnson Act, and the Travel Act. These laws are aimed at preventing illegal Internet gambling from taking place in interstate or foreign commerce. Various state officials have also expressed concerns about the use of the Internet to carry illegal gambling into their jurisdictions. While these laws may have a good point, they also can be frustrating to state officials.
The best and most comprehensive explanation of the law is found in the CRS report RS21984: “Remote Gaming – The Biggest Challenges, Biggest Opportunities.” This report is a compilation of research on various aspects of the industry. This report is available in abridged form. It contains a good number of citations to federal and state statutes, as well as other information on the state of the industry.
Other notable laws include the Illegal Gambling Business Act, the Gambling Devices Transportation Act (GDTA), the Travel Act, and the Illegal Gambling Devices and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statutes. These laws are aimed at prosecuting individuals that engage in illegal Internet gambling, while minimizing the risk to the general public. The federal government has the power to levy fines on individuals that use illegal Internet gambling to make legal bets, while at the same time reinforcing states’ laws in the process. This has led to numerous legal challenges, as well as questions about the power of the Commerce Clause.