Are Online Casinos Legal in the USA?
Many people question just that – are online casinos legal in the USA? The answer to that question is not as simple as one might think but the best way to answer that question is by saying that online casinos are not illegal in the USA and it is not a crime to play at online casinos from the USA. The confusion surrounding the legality of online casinos in the United States stems from the passing of the UIGEA or the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act was passed in 2006 making it illegal for banking institutions to process money transactions on behalf of United States residents for the purposes of gambling. Nowhere in the law does it say anything about actually playing at online casinos and the act of gambling online is not illegal. What the law does make illegal is for online casinos to knowingly process money transactions from Americans for the purposes of online gambling but that part of the law applies to online casinos located in the United States. Or so the offshore online casinos take the stance.
All the USA online casinos listed here on our website are licensed, regulated and located outside the United States and for that reason they take the stance that the UIGEA does not apply to them. It is with good merit they take that stance, after all how many USA companies abide to foreign laws. Does GE or Ford adhere to laws passed in Russia? Of course not and the offshore online casinos are not bound by USA law either.
There is much debate over this issue but one thing is clear, you cannot get in trouble by using an online casino located outside the United States, and we have already seen some states like New Jersey already pass laws and regulation fully legalizing online casino play from within their states borders. More states already have legislation and bills “in the works” to also allow online casinos and poker rooms to operate within their borders and it is only a matter of time until most states regulate online gambling and eventually it is regulated at the Federal level.
If you want to read more about the UIGEA we do offer a full explanation where you can read more on the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. You can also simply Google the UIGEA and you will find article after article related to this issue.
The bottom line is, and we are not lawyers or lawmakers, but all the research we have done suggests that using an online casino from the USA is not a crime. Certainly you can do your own research and draw your own conclusions but if you want to use any of our recommended online casinos for real money you can play all your favorite table games, slots and video poker. Also by using any of our links to visit the casino you can also claim some huge exclusive sign up bonuses. If you have been sitting the sidelines not playing online you can get started at any of the best online casinos for USA players listed here at USA Online Casinos. Good Luck!
