Federal Law and Online Gambling

online gambling

The federal government has taken action against online gambling sites. The UIGEA prohibits Internet poker operators from accepting money from citizens of the United States, and the Travel Act prohibits players from using interstate facilities for unlawful activities. In addition, federal law reinforces state law in cases involving gambling. State officials have expressed concerns that the internet can be abused to bring illegal gambling into their jurisdictions.

However, there are a number of challenges to the legality of federal legislation governing online gambling. For one, attacks based on the Commerce Clause, First Amendment’s protection of free speech, and the Due Process Clause have met with limited success. While the commercial nature of the gambling industry may satisfy Commerce Clause doubts, free speech objections have been limited by First Amendment protections for crimes facilitating speech, and due process arguments have been undermined by the fact that gambling is a financial transaction between two parties in the United States.

The Internet is an excellent place to gamble, but a few important tips should be followed before playing online. First of all, check whether the online gambling site is licensed. Legitimate online casinos have licenses and are regulated by government bodies. They should clearly display this information. Second, don’t play if you are underage. It’s a crime in some countries to access an online casino, so check the laws where you live before signing up.