While many states have laws that prevent illegal gambling at land based casinos, the Internet is not immune. A recent report by the Department of Justice and the FBI revealed that there were over five billion dollars in illegal Internet gambling in 2011. However, it is not just the gambling sites that can be prosecuted. For example, the Wire Act makes it a crime to bet on a sporting event over the internet. In addition, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) provisions of the federal criminal code also prohibit such activities.
The most obvious way to enforce these laws is to arrest and prosecute those who run the illegal websites. As a result, the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have been making headway in their battle against online gambling. This was most recently seen in the case of a Costa Rican casino operation called Tropical Paradise. It had become the subject of a U.S. marshals raid and the United States prosecutors warned PayPal it may face prosecution.
The most popular form of internet gambling is sports betting. Most casinos offer either a single betting option or a combination of several different options. Some even offer a choice of “instant” games. Unlike most traditional casinos, sports betting is done in real time without the need for downloads. Many of the top rated sites use the latest technology to process chips and payments instantly.
Another notable piece of legislation is the Travel Act. Although the Travel Act is not explicitly aimed at the internet, it does apply to gambling conducted at interstate venues. In the United States, this entails Internet casinos, as well as players who engage in unlawful activity while using an interstate facility.
Another tidbit of legal lore is the fact that the UIGEA contains numerous factors that will weed out the low-hanging fruit. These include factors relating to legality, financial transaction providers and the size of the transaction. If these measures prove successful, the UIGEA will serve as a template for other states to follow.
Aside from the aforementioned statutory changes, the UIGEA is accompanied by a Congressional study of the impact of these laws on interstate commerce. The study shows that it is not as easy to identify illegal Internet gambling as it might seem. Nevertheless, it remains an important step towards preventing illicit gambling from thriving on the World Wide Web.
There is a small but growing number of legal gambling sites available on the Internet. While most of these are not suitable for the home user, they can be a great source of entertainment for anyone with a computer and access to the Internet. One of the most popular deposit methods is via credit card. Other forms of payment include check and prepaid vouchers. When it comes to deciding which site to sign up with, it is best to compare prices and reviews to ensure you are getting the best deal.