No matter your gaming preference or background, you likely want to know where online gambling is legal. While many countries lack regulations pertaining to gambling online, others impose strict or even outright bans. China for instance outright prohibits all forms of gambling while South Korea and Japan regulate it. Here is a quick run-down on different jurisdictions and their laws surrounding online gambling activities.
The United States offers an unconventional system for regulating online gambling, with each state having the power to legalize or prohibit such activity within its borders. There are some notable exceptions; while the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 outlawed sports betting, the Supreme Court later overturned it; since then most states have chosen to legalize such activity (except Hawaii and Utah due to large Latter-day Saint populations that oppose such gambling activities ).
Delaware was among the first states to legalize online casino and sports betting, with Gov. Jack Markell inaugurating an iGaming market in 2012. While Delaware offers several iGaming sites to choose from, players must only utilize sites approved by the Delaware Gaming Control Board.
Arkansas first allowed residents to wager on sports and horse races in 2022. Furthermore, seven tribal casinos offer slots and table games to their citizens.
Georgia, which has not yet taken to online casino play, could soon do so given legal online sports betting in Georgia. With Georgia being home to numerous iGaming markets including sports gambling already legal in this state, launching an iGaming market should come quickly thereafter.
New York stands out as an exception in this list, as its residents can now legally engage in online poker and casino gaming via licensed sites. This development follows on the heels of legalization of commercial casinos which were previously prohibited from offering Internet-based gambling services.
Alaska maintains stringent gambling laws, yet daily fantasy sports remain legal in the state for now and into the foreseeable future.
Rhode Island has joined the digital gambling revolution by legalizing iGaming in 2023. While still early days for Rhode Island’s iGaming industry, Rhode Island should experience rapid expansion over the coming years and therefore it would be wise to keep an eye on developments here.