Using the internet to place a bet is a common occurrence in the United States. There are a number of laws that regulate gambling activities. Some of these laws are state based while others are federal.
The Wire Act is the federal law that prohibits illegal gambling on sports contests. The law also makes it illegal to use telecommunications services to facilitate illegal gambling. The statute does not prohibit betting on non-sports events. However, in some states, such as Illinois, the state does not allow residents to place bets on in-state college sporting events.
There are also several other federal laws that prohibit illegal gambling activities. These include the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) provisions. These prohibit gambling businesses from evading taxes, concealing gambling operations, and promoting illicit activity.
The law also prohibits gambling businesses from providing financial instruments to customers who place illegal Internet bets. The Federal Communications Commission may take action to stop the lease, provision, or maintenance of facilities used for illegal gambling operations.
The best way to legally gamble on the internet is to visit an online casino. However, this is not an easy task. Most states are not currently offering legal online casinos. In fact, Illinois is still working towards legalizing online casinos.
The other legal way to gamble on the internet is to visit an online sportsbook. Several states currently offer legal online sportsbooks. However, it took awhile for these gambling websites to pop up.