Although many countries restrict online gambling, some states have made it legal. The European Union, most US states, and several Caribbean countries allow online gambling. To operate in a legal market, online gambling service providers must obtain a license from a regulatory body, such as the United Kingdom Gambling Commission or Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. This will allow them to offer gambling services to citizens of the jurisdiction where the service is located. The following are some states that have legalized online gambling:
While the Internet is growing rapidly, the US has been slow to regulate online gambling. During the early ’90s, there were only fifteen gambling websites. In 1998, online gambling revenue exceeded $830 million. In 1998, online poker rooms began to appear. In 1999, the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act was introduced by the US Senate. This law would have made it illegal for US banks to process payments to offshore gambling sites. Meanwhile, multiplayer online gambling sites were introduced in 2000.
Researchers have found that reducing disordered gambling through online gambling is possible. Online gambling operators can implement strategies to support responsible gambling, including player-focused tools and resources such as self-set spend limits and time outs. Additionally, operators can send targeted notifications and tailored contacts based on the players’ patterns of gambling. And, because Internet gambling is a growing part of our daily lives, it has the potential to reduce the risk of gambling problems.