Online gambling is not new, especially in the United States. It has been around for a while and has become especially popular in the past decade. This popularity is connected with changes in reality and the development of different technologies, including cryptocurrency, digital wallets, virtual reality, and SSL encryptions. In other words, gambling is becoming safer and safer each month. It’s also tracked many new customers concerned with online sports betting. As a result, this industry is one of the most successful ones in the world. Currently, it is worth more than $60 billion, and it is only in the United States.
Nevertheless, you might be surprised to learn that not every single state has successfully legalized online casinos and sports betting. Some, like Colorado, New Jersey, Michigan, and Nevada, are definitely on top of the list of states doing everything to ensure safe and fun online gambling. They legalized this activity long ago and are definitely reaping the benefits. That is why we will be talking about the state of gambling in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Modern State of Online Gambling in Michigan
Let’s start with Michigan. The first thing that you should know is that gambling is legal in this particular state. If you are 21 years old, you are welcome to try online poker and practically any other game. However, Michigan is a rather new state to online sports there, and it was only legalized back in 2019. When the governor signed the bill to allow both sports betting and online gaming. The majority of the best MI online casinos started working only around 2020. Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean that they are less trustworthy. The Michigan lawful sports betting act and gaming commission fully control the industry. This means that all websites are checked by a third party and ensure the safety and fairness of all mathematical models. So if you want to enjoy the lottery or horse racing, this is it. Below you can find a list of other states that successfully legalized online gambling. Remember that this is a short list, as more than half of American states have legalized gaming.
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Michigan
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- West Virginia
- Colorado
US Online Gambling Regulation New Jersey
The next state on our list is New Jersey. Let’s start with the basics. Is online gambling legal in New Jersey? Our answer is positive. This state has worked for a long time to advocate for the legalization of sports betting. It even went to the supreme court to prove that legalization will lead to several advantages for both users and the government. The American government will be able to collect extra taxes, and users will enjoy the safety of online gambling fully controlled by the government. New Jersey argued that online gambling would only be calm and safe once it is legal.
Online casinos exist as it is on a gray and black market. They are not legal and not safe for the users. Their legalization would increase treasury and assist users in trusting online platforms a little bit more. Therefore, if you are 21, you can enjoy online gambling in New Jersey. It was legalized in 2018, and the gaming enforcement division regulates it. Funny enough, different gaming aspects also have their own governing bodies. For example, the racing commission regulates the horse racing industry, and the New Jersey lottery commission runs the lottery.
US Gambling Laws and Online Regulation: Pennsylvania
The next state on our list is Pennsylvania. This particular region has also successfully legalized online betting. It also moved hand-in-hand with New Jersey and created the first Pennsylvanian website back in 2018. The legal age remains 21 years old. The Pennsylvania gaming control board controls the overall industry. It enforces and regulates all the matters that are concerned with gaming. Besides that, practically every game, like the lottery, bingo, slot machines, table games, and small businesses, is available in this state. There are practically no attempts to limit the access of users to different opportunities. We also appreciate that US gambling regulation ensured gambling safety in Pennsylvania.
Gambling Regulation US: West Virginia
Our final point in talking more about online gambling regulation in the US is West Virginia. The history of this state is very similar to New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Online gaming wars were allowed in 2018 after the Supreme Court reversed its previous bill. The legal age is also the same as the rules about alcohol in the United States. However, there are several complications when it comes to the governing body. Technically, everything that relates to casinos is controlled by the state lottery. It is a unique case connected with the West Virginia code that created a seven-member lottery commission. It is practically known that no commission was created specifically for online gambling.
However, we can hardly blame them since complications have yet to appear. Our answer is rather simple if you’re wondering what the tax is. Gambling and lottery winds are technically included in taxes. You should tax them as personal income. Unlike most European countries, the United States prefers to take tax from both users and online casinos. The tax will mostly depend on your revenues and the overall win. Usually, West Virginia collects around 6.5% if the winner does not provide proper identification. The percentage will be much lower if you follow all the rules and regulations and keep your identity.
What The Future Holds
Since this industry is growing unbelievably fast, we will likely see even more changes in online gambling regulation US. As of now, more than half of all American states have successfully legalized online gambling. In a couple of years, we might as well see full legalization, even among the states that are currently unwilling to participate. They will eventually see that it is profitable and safer for users to improve US regulation online gambling, then limit illegal services. Gambling will exist. It is about time to make it legal and safe.
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