Is Online Slot Gambling Legal in Your Jurisdiction?
While online sports betting has been legalized in the majority of US states, many state lawmakers remain wary about allowing other types of online gambling. As a result, most states have banned online casino games or have very limited legal options. However, some have opened the door for online slots and other online table games. In this article, we’ll sift through the various laws across the United States to find out is online slot gambling legal in your jurisdiction.
The Federal Wire Act, or more appropriately the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act, carries considerable authority over American gaming. Signed before the commercial inception of the internet, the law prohibits transmission (or “wiring”) of information regarding wagers on sporting events across state lines. While a 2011 re-interpretation of the law opened the door for sports betting, it still remains a significant barrier to other forms of online gaming.
Some states have carved out exemptions in the law to allow online gambling, while others are prohibited completely. In either case, it’s important to know the legal status of online slots in your jurisdiction before playing them. Here’s a rundown of the current landscape:
Online gambling is legal in Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia. Additionally, the state of Michigan has enacted legislation to allow for online sports betting and poker games. While other states have attempted to pass similar laws, they have yet to gain traction.
As of right now, New York does not offer residents any kind of iGaming, and it seems unlikely that will change anytime soon. New York has long been a conservative political climate, and there is little to no political appetite for changing the state’s gambling laws.
Although Connecticut did legalize sports betting in 2019, they have yet to launch a full-fledged online casino. This means that the state’s residents have very limited options for playing online slots, roulette, baccarat, blackjack, and poker. The hope is that when the state does eventually legalize iGaming, it will attract major operators like DraftKings and FanDuel.
In the meantime, Colorado is a more liberal state that does permit online casino play. However, only three casinos are licensed to offer iGaming to residents of the state. This limits player choice and limits operator revenue streams. The state may consider expanding the number of casinos it allows in the future, but that would require legislative action.
California is the most populous US state, but it is also one of the few that does not allow online gambling of any kind. While there have been multiple attempts to introduce iGaming in the Golden State, it seems unlikely that it will ever become legal. Regardless, there are still several in-person casinos for residents to gamble at, and players can still access top-notch bonuses and free spins by playing at offshore sites.
