The Internet is a global medium and thus, there are many online gambling opportunities available. These include betting on sports, casinos, and virtual poker. Several countries have legalized this kind of gaming, while others have strict rules on online gambling.
Online gambling became a common activity in the late 1990s when the internet was commercialized. It started in the Caribbean nations of Barbuda and Antigua. However, state officials have expressed concern that the internet can be used to bring illegal gambling into their jurisdictions.
For this reason, the Department of Justice has been investigating and reviewing possible regulations for online gambling. The results of this research have been published in a report. Currently, the United States has laws on gambling that affect both state and federal jurisdictions.
There is an exception to the Wire Act for wagering businesses. But, this is not the case for all games of skill. Even if the act is legal in both the source and destination locations, it is considered unlawful if it is being carried out within the U.S.
Some states, however, have enacted their own gambling laws. In the United States, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act governs gambling activities on Native American reservations. Many states have adopted this legislation, but it does not specifically mention Online Gambling.
The Internet Gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act would be another option for federal regulation of the internet gambling industry. This bill would license online gambling businesses and tax them.