Online gambling is an increasingly popular pastime in the United States. No longer do you need to head to a land-based casino or horse race track to place your wagers, as long as you live in a state that oversees regulated online gambling sites. Moreover, players have more options than ever when it comes to choosing which sites to play at, with each site offering a unique welcome package that includes free chips, bonus spins and more.
The answer to the question, can you gamble online legally, is dependent on several factors. First and foremost, each state has its own laws that dictate what kind of gambling is legal within its borders and how it can be regulated. In addition, each state determines its own minimum gambling ages, with some requiring that bettors must be 21 years of age to participate in any form of gaming.
While most states have some form of regulated online gambling, some are farther ahead than others when it comes to offering real-money games. For example, Delaware was one of the first states to allow iGaming back in 2012, and now it has three licensed online casinos for players to choose from. However, despite being an early adopter, the state’s online casinos don’t offer as much brand recognition as the likes of DraftKings and FanDuel, which are both currently partnered with the state’s two physical casinos.
Another state that has been a little slow to get on board is Iowa, which only recently legalized mobile sports betting. Nevertheless, efforts to introduce an online casino bill have been unsuccessful in the past. It is hoped that the state will make progress toward online casino legalization in 2023.
In contrast, Vermont has been quick to embrace online gambling and is home to a number of legalized iGaming sites. The state is also considering allowing residents to enjoy online lottery games and skill-based video games as well.
Finally, there are other states that don’t yet have regulated online casino offerings, but may be on the verge of joining the club. Arkansas, for instance, only recently legalized online sports betting. Fortunately, however, residents of the state can still wager at Churchill Downs and other horse racing tracks.
Similarly, Kentucky’s law prohibits online gambling, but legislators are considering changing the state’s gambling laws in 2023. Until then, residents can continue to place bets at a variety of reputable and vetted Kentucky-based online gambling sites. Alternatively, residents can play at sweepstakes casinos, which are similar to iGaming sites but don’t accept real money bets. They do, however, award cash prizes to lucky players.