Depending on the jurisdiction, it is illegal to gamble online without a permit. The law also prohibits people under 18 years of age from gambling. The government will punish anyone who engages in illegal gambling and is deemed a criminal. There are many supports available to assist with problem gambling.
Until the Supreme Court ruling, sports betting was not legal in the US. The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) passed in 1992, and it prohibited most states from offering sports betting outside Nevada. However, a few states, including Oregon and Montana, allowed sports lotteries. In addition, the United States Department of Justice attempted to interpret the Interstate Wire Act as encompassing all forms of Internet gambling. In court, however, the Department of Justice’s interpretation was found to be invalid.
Since then, several other states have legalized sports betting. Illinois, for instance, allows residents to bet on sports events. However, they cannot bet on college sports or on any other non-sports events.
Until the Supreme Court ruling, several federal laws prohibited gambling online. The Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA) was one of these laws. In 2007, Rep. Barney Frank introduced HR 2046, which would modify the UIGEA. It would require Internet gambling facilities to be licensed by the director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. It also would allow the states to regulate the industry themselves.
In May, Gov. Laura Kelly signed legislation into law that would legalize online gambling. This included intrastate poker, which is allowed in casinos, as well as DFS, or Daily Fantasy Sports, which is allowed in bingo and online.