Legal gambling is widely available in the United States. In fact, nearly half of states have some sort of gambling regulation in place. However, some jurisdictions have more restrictive laws and are averse to gambling. Some states are not even allowed to offer online gambling at all. For example, Utah and Hawaii are considered to be “religious” states and the people of these states are strongly opposed to gambling.
However, in the late ’90s, online gambling was gaining popularity. By 1998, there were about fifteen websites offering gambling activities. In fact, a Frost & Sullivan report indicated that online gambling revenue exceeded $830 million in 1998. In 1998, the first online poker rooms emerged. In the US, a bill called the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act was introduced in the US Senate in 1999. This bill would have prohibited online gambling to US citizens.
Fortunately, many US states are now regulating online gambling. Online poker, sports betting, and casino games are legal in Delaware, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. Several other states have even introduced laws to regulate these activities. But it is still up to the states on what exactly they allow. For example, some states allow only certain types of online gambling, while others prohibit online gambling altogether.
Despite the risk of losing money, gambling can be fun and educational. The National Council on Problem Gambling says that the goal of gambling is to make it as enjoyable as possible for everyone and to keep it in a safe environment. However, this means that a person must take responsibility for their actions and always gamble responsibly.