Stupid question - is it illegal?

[KasinoKing]

Hi gang!

Sorry in advance, I know I should already know the answer to this (and I think I do), but I've become a little confused (old age!) & can't find the answer via a forum search....

Is it actually illegal for USA citizens to gamble at online casinos?

KK

 

[Philosopher]

Overall No. However there are eleven states that do have laws that make it illegal for their residents to gamble online (with Washington being the worst at the moment).

 

[lojo]

Depends on the guy (USAG) interpreting the law at the moment, KK.

I'm not aware of any superior court or xnth district court of appeals - and certainly no Supreme Court renderings that uphold the idiocy of the wire-act relating to anything but sportsbooks.

Bushco seem to disagree but the are transient (even if we smell their duff for years after they leave the subway (lift?)

The bad news for US players is that a sharp case-lawyer with a bent for prosecution could dabble in the ex post facto quagmire that has been occuring here state by state in other instances. They not only go retroactive, they 'grandfather' statutes of limitations... ie if joe blow gambled in x state in 1999 and the limitation to prosecute was four years, and they changed the statute to fifteen years before the four years expired, jo is fexed. It's simply a war on civil liberties, not gambling, nor drugs, or anything else.

What you are experinecing from abroad, and lets hope your leaders have enough sense to stay out of it this time, is a constitutional crisis of the highest magnitude.

But to answer your question simply. NO unless a State has specifically outlawed internet gaming, a denizen of that state can play to their heart and wallet's content. (If they are willing to stand the abuse of the crown, err federal government)

Now I'm going back to lurkmode

 

[EasyRhino]

I actually haven't researched it thoroughly (although I should, my Mom sounded worried when she asked me the same question!), but general consensus is that online sports betting probably is illegal, but other play (casino and poker) are not illegal, at the federal level.

Don't know about horse betting.

 

[lots0]

As has been pointed out, if you live in one of the 11 states that does have laws against online casino gambling then you may be breaking your state law by gambling online.

There are no federal laws that prohibit gambling online as long as you do not gamble on sports (sports betting online is illegal).

The current law that has caused all these problems is the UGIEA, this new bullshit law makes transferring money to or from a offshore online casino illegal, it also makes it illegal to provide a hypertext link to anyone in the US (Citizen or not) to an online gambling site.

I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice.

 

[Mousey]

Hi gang!

Sorry in advance, I know I should already know the answer to this (and I think I do), but I've become a little confused (old age!) & can't find the answer via a forum search....

Is it actually illegal for USA citizens to gamble at online casinos?

KK

Actually, I don't think it's any more illegal today for citizens to gamble online than before UIGEA. Which isn't saying much, as it is very complicated and open to opinion.

Here's a good article about the legalities by I Nelson Rose:

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[brianzz]

If you were charged with anything it'd be similar to being caught in a bar playing video poker that paid off illegally. I don't think there would be much to it if you just said "Oh I didn't know". Most US states land based gambling is illegal state-wide and in others gambling is only allowed in certain areas, so you're technically just violating a state law. I've yet to see anyone get arrested for internet gambling and even if they were they'd go after the big fish first, the ones who spend hundreds of thousands a month doing it and they'd do that just to scare the $100 a month players into not doing it anymore.