While online gambling is legal on the federal level, many states and regions restrict it. The United States and certain provinces of Canada are among those where online gambling is allowed, as are many European countries and Caribbean countries. Several states have separate rules and regulations regarding gambling, but the majority of them allow online casinos and poker sites to operate. However, some states do not regulate online gambling at all, and they may not provide adequate assistance for gamblers in need.
The US government has been slow to react to the emergence of online gambling. Although there were a number of online gambling sites in existence in the early ’90s, none were subject to legal regulations. This meant that US-based players had easy access to these sites. However, in 2006, US President George W. Bush passed the Safe Ports Act. This act made it illegal for US banking institutions to send funds to gambling sites offshore.
Regulations for online gambling have come a long way. In the past, rogue operators were able to offer their products wherever they wished. But as online gambling becomes more regulated, lawmakers are getting on board and are prepared to enforce the existing rules. However, rogue operators still operate and must be monitored. Fortunately, there are third-party services that can help you distinguish reputable casinos from disreputable ones. These services usually take a cut of each conversion.