The Legality of Online Gambling

Generally, gambling is a game of chance. The main objective is to win money or other material goods. However, there are certain elements that need to be considered.

In the United States, there are 48 states where gambling is legal. Each state regulates different aspects of gambling. A state may have a higher minimum age for a particular activity, or it may permit a different type of gambling.

In recent years, a number of states have begun to legalize sports betting. This is done with the intention of raising funds for governmental programs. In addition, some states have enacted laws that prohibit gambling by anyone under a certain age. Currently, twenty states allow residents to bet on sporting events over the Internet.

Federal legislation also limits the types of gambling that can be played. Most of these laws are not very specific. For example, Congress has banned the unauthorized transportation of lottery tickets between states. Similarly, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 has been struck down by the US Supreme Court as unconstitutional.

The Department of Justice has also taken a hard stance on online gambling. In 2011 the department issued a legal opinion on the Wire Act. The Department of Justice maintains that all forms of Internet gambling are illegal.

Although many states have enacted laws to prohibit gambling, they have been surprisingly lax in enforcing those laws. This is in part due to the Commerce Clause doctrine, which theorizes that the power to regulate gambling lies with the federal government.