This year the World Series of Poker will deliver a $10 million Main Event grand prize. This is the first year since 2006 that the winner of the world’s most popular poker tournament will take home eight figures. More than $50 billion was spent on state-run lotteries last year in the United States. And Las Vegas casinos make over $100 million each spring on March Madness alone. Additionally, March Madness brackets played in sports bars and office pools across the United States involve hundreds of millions, if not billions of dollars. In 2014, a record $119.4 million was wagered at Nevada casinos on the Super Bowl. The bottom line? Americans love to gamble. So with the majority of US citizens believing that responsible adult wagering is acceptable, why is United States gambling online illegal? Well, actually, it is absolutely legal.
Sports
NY Congressman Presents Nationwide Gambling Legislation
In late 2011 the Department of Justice decided to allow each individual state their own voice in the online gambling argument. Soon after, Nevada was the landmark first state to pass online gambling legislation. Delaware and New Jersey have since also legalized online gambling in some form for their residents and visitors. There are also another dozen or so states which are currently pushing for online gambling, but there is at least one United States law maker who would like to see a blanket piece of legislation which would regulate the entire US.
Maryland Legalizes Online Fantasy Sports Wagering
In the first step towards passing legislation that would legalize online poker like the state of Nevada, or a full cadre of online wagering like Delaware, Maryland on October 1 legalized online fantasy sports wagering. Maryland’s about face on the issue came about as a way to clear the air on what was currently a very uncertain and confusing state of affairs regarding popular fantasy sports played online for money in The Old Line State. Federal legislation seems to allow for online fantasy sports betting, but in the past Maryland has ruled the practice as illegal, while turning a blind eye on participants.
Online Gambling Crushed Hollywood Receipts in 2011
Online poker and other forms of gambling were illegal in the United States in 2011. Similar laws were in force in multiple European and Asian countries around the world as well, yet Hollywood movies are promoted, shipped to, and viewed in every corner of the globe. And yet even so, Hollywood barely matched a mere 20% of the amount of income created by online wagering and gambling in 2011 in South America alone. Hollywood movies grossed a little under $26 billion worldwide in 2011, but online gaming in poker rooms, casinos, bingo halls and sportsbooks in just South America totaled more than $124 billion.
Cantor Gaming Eyeing California Online Poker – Announces Partnership
You can’t really blame companies like Cantor Gaming for getting all hot and bothered when they consider the possible profits provided by a state like California should online poker legislation be adopted there. The 2010 census showed more than 37 million residents residing inside California state boundaries, so the estimated population in 2012 or 2013 would have to be north of 38 million. Delaware and Nevada have already adopted legalized online poker legislation, and it also provides for travelers and visitors to their state to also be able to legally play online poker while they are located inside state boundaries.
Nevada and Delaware Racing to Offer First-Hand of Online Poker in the US
On December 23 of last year, the United States Department of Justice reversed their long standing position on the legality of online poker in the United States. Considering any online gaming for money in the past as illegal, just two days before Christmas of 2011 the US DOJ delivered a holiday present of their new ruling that allows each individual state to develop and regulate their own online poker policy. Nevada has long been the cornerstone of gambling in the United States, and they quickly passed legislation allowing legalized online poker play for their residents and visitors, the first state to do so.