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Legal Online Gambling In The United States

Legal Online Gambling is an accessible and viable option for players who lack brick and mortar gambling opportunities within reasonable proximity, or who simply are looking for an online option for the convenience. There are several legitimate gambling sites that accept USA players and also offer a high quality and secure Internet gaming experience. These sites are accessible via your computer or mobile device and are available 24/7.

What many players do not realize is that even if gambling is not legally permitted in a specific state via land-based casinos, poker rooms, or sportsbooks, legitimate online gambling sites are still an option. There is some confusion surrounding the legality of US-friendly online gambling.

This guide is designed to provide clarity so that players can feel confident that they are making informed decisions using the most current and accurate information concerning the online gambling industry and how it relates to American players.  United States online gambling is a growing market and now boasts both state regulated and legitimate offshore destinations. This page will provide more insight into your legal options and into relevant US federal gambling laws.

Quick Jump

    Top Rated Legal USA Online Gambling Sites For November, 2024

    Top Rated Sites TrophyThe following sites have all been vetted by our team of industry professionals and are graded on our reviews page. While each of the following options has been handpicked for US players our reviews go into depth about key features, banking options, and legitimacy.

    • All
    • Bingo
    • Casino
    • Poker
    • Sportsbook
    Bovada poker brand logo
    Bovada Poker

    $500

    Bovada Casino Logo
    Bovada Casino

    $3,000

    Bovada Sportsbook Logo
    Bovada Sportsbook

    $500

    Slots.lv Casino Logo
    Slotslv Casino

    $5,000

    BetUs Sportsbook logo
    BetUS Sportsbook

    $3,125

    Mybookie Sportsbook Logo
    Mybookie Sportsbook

    $1,000

    Cafe Casino Logo
    Cafe Casino

    $2,500

    Bingo Billy brand logo
    Bingo Billy

    $5,000

    Casino Max Logo
    Casino Max

    $9,750

    Betonline Sportsbook Logo
    Betonline Sportsbook

    $250

    Xbet logo
    XBet Sportsbook

    $500

    Cherry Jackpot Logo
    Cherry Jackpot

    $8,000

    Is Legal Online Gambling Available For USA Players?

    Lawbook With GavelYes, there are online gambling sites that welcome US players that are completely legal.  Depending on what state you live in, there are two different ways that American gamblers can legally access online gambling entertainment:

    • Online gambling sites operating legally offshore
    • State-regulated online gambling sites licensed by individual states

    There are no US federal laws that prohibit Americans from gambling online. In addition, only two states have imposed prohibitions for online gambling (CT and WA).  There are no documented cases of those prohibitions being enforced in those two states, but technically it is not legal to gambling online in those regions.

    Each of the gambling sites you see featured below has been thoroughly vetted to ensure that they are operating legally within a respected governing jurisdiction and compliant with fair gaming practices as is authenticated by third-party auditors and testing agencies, allowing them to legally operate an online gambling site for real money.  All of these sites are operating legally within the industry.

    Legal USA Online Casinos

    Online Slots IconCheck out our list of top rated legal online casinos that accept American players.

    Legal USA Online Sports Betting

    Sports Betting IconCheck out our list of the top rated legal online sportsbooks that accept American players.

    Legal USA Online Poker

    Poker Chips IconCheck out our list of the top rated legal online poker rooms that accept American players.

    Legal USA Online Bingo

    Bingo IconCheck out our list of the top rated legal online bingo sites that accept American players.

    Legal Online Gambling By State

    Do you want to know if online gambling is legal in the state you live in? Simply click on your specific state below to find the current legal status.

    Legal Alabama Online Gambling Legal Montana Online Gambling
    Legal Alaska Online Gambling Legal Nebraska Online Gambling
    Legal Arizona Online Gambling Legal Nevada Online Gambling
    Legal Arkansas Online Gambling Legal New Hampshire Online Gambling
    Legal California Online Gambling Legal New Jersey Online Gambling
    Legal Colorado Online Gambling Legal New Mexico Online Gambling
    Legal Connecticut Online Gambling Legal New York Online Gambling
    Legal Delaware Online Gambling Legal North Carolina Online Gambling
    Legal Florida Online Gambling Legal North Dakota Online Gambling
    Legal Georgia Online Gambling Legal Ohio Online Gambling
    Legal Hawaii Online Gambling Legal Oklahoma Online Gambling
    Legal Idaho Online Gambling Legal Oregon Online Gambling
    Legal Illinois Online Gambling Legal Pennsylvania Online Gambling
    Legal Indiana Online Gambling Legal Rhode Island Online Gambling
    Legal Iowa Online Gambling Legal South Carolina Online Gambling
    Legal Kansas Online Gambling Legal South Dakota Online Gambling
    Legal Kentucky Online Gambling Legal Tennessee Online Gambling
    Legal Louisiana Online Gambling Legal Texas Online Gambling
    Legal Maine Online Gambling Legal Utah Online Gambling
    Legal Maryland Online Gambling Legal Vermont Online Gambling
    Legal Massachusetts Online Gambling Legal Virginia Online Gambling
    Legal Michigan Online Gambling Legal Washington Online Gambling
    Legal Minnesota Online Gambling Legal West Virginia Online Gambling
    Legal Mississippi Online Gambling Legal Wisconsin Online Gambling
    Legal Missouri Online Gambling Legal Wyoming Online Gambling

    Legal Online Gambling FAQ's

    The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act PASPA was a law that prevented the expansion of sports betting across the US.  In 2018 this law was repealed by the Supreme Court and is now null and void.  As a result, multiple states now licensed state-based sports betting both online and offline.

    With the change to PASPA, the reach of the Federal Wire Act has changed and no longer prohibits state-based online sports betting. The only impact that the Federal Wire Act now has relevant to online gambling is that it prevents wagers from being accepted across state lines at state-regulated online gambling sites.  Again, this law is directed to gambling site operators, not gamblers.

    Neither of these laws makes online gambling illegal for USA residents who are interested in either domestic or offshore wagering. Each state now has the authority to determine its own destiny surrounding state-based online gambling across all venues, including casino, poker, sports betting, lottery, horse racing and bingo.

    No, the UIGEA 2006 bill does not make online gambling illegal in the United States.  This law was passed in 2006 and places regulatory policies on how gambling-related transactions can be processed online.  The law did drive some offshore brands from the US gambling market when it was enacted, and it also provided grounds for the DOJ to investigate several online poker sites back in 2011. What the law does NOT do is make online gambling illegal.

    The UIGEA targets payment processing and addresses the banks, credit card companies and gambling operators.  It has no bearing on the actions of the gamblers themselves.  While the law temporarily made online gambling inconvenient for a period of time, it has also made the online gambling environment safer. Gambling site operators are now forced to utilize the highest quality payment processors, and security protocols have been made much more stringent.

    The restrictions imposed by the law have also driven the popularity of using cryptocurrency for online gambling, which has transformed the financial side of the industry in ways that benefit players a great deal.  Most reputable online gambling sites now accept multiple forms of cryptocurrency which is the fastest, easiest deposit method for USA gamblers.  It is also the only funding method that supports same-day, instant payouts.

    You probably agree that the question of legality is important, but does not cover all bases.  There are plenty of things in life that are legal, but that are not safe. If you are selective in your choices regarding where you gamble, then yes, online gambling is safe. As we mentioned before, we have an extensive vetting process for each of the brands we list in our guide. We already covered the licensing verification process, which is the first part of determining the safety factor of any legal online gambling site.  The subsequent parts of the equation focus on a brand's security profile and quality.

    For a site to be included in our guide, we require advanced SSL connectivity and highly sophisticated data encryption technology. We also insist on effective firewall protection, fraud prevention, and specially trained technical teams to monitor these processes.  These components combined can effectively protect your personal financial information, and are the very protocols that are in place at banks and credit card companies.

    We do not consider for inclusion in our guide gambling sites that only employ standard security measures simply to meet minimum licensing requirements. We want the brands we recommend to exceed industry standards and noticeably go above and beyond in their commitment to protecting players. That is what makes any particular online gambling site safe.

    Nevada was the first to legalize online gambling at a state level and currently allows state-regulated online poker entertainment. Residents have access to online poker sites that have been licensed by the state. Delaware and New Jersey legalized state regulated online poker and casino gambling shortly thereafter, so residents of these states can access casino games online such as slots, blackjack, video poker, roulette, keno, live dealer games and more, as well as online poker games.

    Initially, each of these states only allowed players that were physically located within their own borders to access their gambling entertainment.  However, all three of these states have entered into interstate gambling compacts that support the sharing of player pools.  Therefore players in Delaware can also play casino games in New Jersey or poker games in Nevada. It is unclear how the post-PASPA, reinterpretation of the Federal Wire Act will impact these compacts.

    Multiple other states have also legalized state-regulated online gambling, including Indiana, Iowa, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Oregon, and more. While state-level gambling legalization is a move in the right direction, it does have its limitations. For example, the states that legalize online gambling are only making it accessible to their residents, hence players in states that are not interested in this type of legislation are out of luck when it comes to U.S.A. based online gambling.

    We recommend that those players access the US-friendly legal gambling sites featured in the table above. They have each been vetted by our professional team of gambling aficionados, and are guaranteed to be safe and reliable. Legal online gambling that is based outside of the U.S. is legally accessible for all United States players.

    The following pages below offer information on how you can gamble online legally in each specific state.

    Latest Legal Gambling News Headlines From The United States

    online roulette being played on a laptop next to the shape of Rhode Island

    Domestic Online Casinos In Rhode Island Are Now Active

    three gamblers celebrating their online win

    Domestic US Online Casino Gambling Remains Stagnant In 2024

    The Hard Rock Sportsbook App pulled up on a Florida beach

    Mobile Sports Betting Apps In Florida Return Without Notice

    New Russellville, Arkansas casino

    Arkansas Supreme Court Approves Casino Plans For Russellville

    Sports Betting in Kentucky text over an image of an active sportsbook

    Domestic Online And Mobile Sports Gambling To Debut In Kentucky On September 7th

    Michigan authorities have cracked down on illegal gambling. It serves as a friendly reminder that legal online gambling sites for US players are the way to go.

    MI Casino Raid Shows Why Legal US Online Gambling Is Better