Several countries have imposed regulations on online gambling. Several nations in the Caribbean Sea allow it and some provinces in Canada do as well. However, in the United States, it is illegal to conduct gambling.
The US has seven criminal statutes that are implicated in illegal Internet gambling. These are the Wire Act, the Illegal Gambling Business Act, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, the Travel Act, the Interstate Commerce Act, and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.
Online gambling is primarily a state issue. In states that allow gambling, it is usually regulated and highly regulated. However, many state officials are concerned about the potential of the internet to bring illegal gambling into their jurisdictions.
In April 2007, Representative Barney Frank introduced the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act. The bill would require internet gambling facilities to be licensed by the director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. It would also modify the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, or UIGEA.
Several other bills have been introduced in the House since 2007. Some of these bills would amend the UIGEA, or rewrite it. They would also require gambling operators to obtain licenses from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board or the United Kingdom Gambling Commission.
The Kahnawake Gaming Commission, which is based in the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake, issued licenses to many online poker rooms and casinos. It tries to ensure that the operations of these licensed online gambling organisations are fair.