While some might view online gambling as a threat to their financial security, there are several advantages that come along with legalized and regulated iGaming. These include the ability to set loss limits and self-exclude, as well as the availability of support services. These features allow players to gamble responsibly, and also help to protect their sensitive personal information. As more states begin to legalize iGaming, many are taking steps to make it a safe and secure activity.
Until recently, the vast majority of states did not offer legal online gambling, but that changed as more and more sites began to launch. While federal law still prohibits most forms of online gambling, the Justice Department has said that the 1961 Wire Act does not apply to online sports betting. The Justice Department’s ruling means that the government will not seek to prosecute people who place sports bets over the internet, but will still target businesses that facilitate such wagers.
The first state to make retail sports betting legal was Delaware in 2021, followed by Massachusetts and New Jersey in the spring of 2022. Rhode Island joined the ranks in 2023, and California is expected to do so soon. The Golden State will offer multiple sportsbooks, including those from DraftKings and FanDuel.
Pennsylvania jumped on the iGaming bandwagon in 2018, and its first online casinos launched in November of that year. The state’s main brick-and-mortar casinos, like Rivers and Parx, partnered with iGaming companies to offer online casino gaming. There are now a number of other Pennsylvania online casinos, and they all offer state-licensed iGaming options for the residents of the Commonwealth.
In addition to online casinos, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania now offers its residents online sports betting. The state’s three casinos teamed up with 888 to launch its iGaming platform, and the Action Network app offers expert picks, live odds, and bet tracking. The app is free to download, and the first bet is $10 free.
New Hampshire is another iGaming state that has already launched its own online casinos, and it will soon begin offering sports betting too. The iGaming industry in the state is growing rapidly, and it’s only a matter of time before New Hampshire is one of the top iGaming destinations on the internet.
Florida’s legalization of sports betting has been slow, but it will likely be available online soon. The state’s three current casinos partnered with 888 to offer their online sports betting platform, and the state is working with other partners to expand the reach of its iGaming offerings. It will be interesting to see how the expansion of iGaming in the state impacts its revenue.