Online gambling has grown dramatically in popularity over the last few years. Gamblers in the UK now have a wide variety of online gambling sites to choose from. Some offer a niche type of gambling such as sports betting, while others offer a much wider range of gambling. However, online gambling does have its dangers, including the risk of illegal activity and payouts that are not fair. Gamblers should also keep in mind that online gambling is highly addictive. If you are having problems with online gambling, the Gambling Addiction Centre (GAA) is here to help.
Legality of online gambling varies from state to state. In the United States, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) limits banks from transacting with illegal gambling sites. However, this act does not define what exactly constitutes online gambling. It was once thought that the Federal Wire Act would prohibit online gambling, but the Wire Act does not cover online casinos or poker sites.
Unlawful Internet gambling is illegal under 31 U.S.C. 5362(A). This definition encompasses betting on sports and other games on the internet, as well as using the internet to transmit and receive bets.