Online gambling is technically still against the law in the country. Most states didn’t have any forms of online gambling until 2011 because of the Federal Wire Act. Illinois and New York began selling lottery tickets online that year.
Following a reinterpretation of this law, the Justice Department stated it would not apply to any form of gambling except sports betting. More and more states are making online gambling legal as a result.
Some of the states that allow it in 2022 and offer many of the best real money casino apps include West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, and New Jersey. Some casino games and online poker are legal in these locations as well.
New Entrants in 2022: MA, Kansas, and Maine
In August this year, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed a bill to allow sports betting, with which the state officially joined the ranks of those who have legalized it.
Initially, the state had passed bills to legalize sports betting in both the House and the Senate months before. The House Bill, which was passed in 2021, looked at sports betting more conventionally. The Senate Bill, passed in April 2022, had much less lenient provisions on the protection of players and problem gambling.
Ultimately, a conference committee comprised of House and Senate members was able to agree on a compromise bill.
Kansas
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed sports betting into law on May 12, 2022. Special measures were taken to prevent and treat problem gambling. 2% of the state’s tax revenue from betting is invested in creating a state helpline, research, and treatment. Sports betting is expected to launch in this state by the end of the year.
Maine
Maine Governor Janet Mills made sports betting in the state legal after signing the corresponding bill into law on May 2 of this year. This piece of legislation was part of a bigger package on tribal rights. Native American tribes have the right to decide what sports betting will look like in Maine. 1% of income from taxes on online gambling will be invested in problem gambling services. Insiders expect online gambling to launch in Maine next year.
Undecided
California is different from many other states in that it requires a ballot initiative for a constitutional amendment to make online gambling legal. At the moment, gambling platform operators and tribes in the state are competing on dueling ballot initiatives.
The operator initiative would legalize mobile sports betting throughout California, while the tribal one would only permit betting at tribal casinos. These initiatives will be decided in November.
How Safe are Online Wagers?
Online gambling has lots of fans, and with more states legalizing it, their number will only increase. As long as you use a legitimate website, you have nothing to worry about. Check its online security practices before signing up. It might help to read user reviews as well. Also, look at the ease of use and the interface, and check how easy the site is to navigate.