The First Wave of American Gambling
The initial gambling boom in the United States occurred in the 19th century, at the time of expansion of the Wild West. Gamblers, robbers, bandits, and adventurous heroes seeking a new home in a new world came to a nation that, to them, smelled of freedom. However, with those who were ready to take a risk, cheat, and offend the law, there was also an emerging wave of citizens who yearned for a peaceful and refined life. Such citizens detested gambling entertainment, and the authority of that time had to ban gambling games.
If you are on the lookout for the best gambling websites available to Americans today, you can check out the top 10 online casinos to start with legitimate and trusted operators.
Modern Legislation Regulating Gambling in the USA
One of the landmark changes in the history of American gambling was the nullification of a federal law that previously banned sports betting. All states thereafter were free to decide for themselves whether to legalize sports betting and other gambles within their territories. This move significantly increased the sort of gambling legal in America.
As for the formal licensing, there are three types of gambling licenses employed in the U.S.:
- Limited license – authorizes up to 15 slot machines
- Two subtypes:
- One grants unlimited slots installations
- The other allows both slot machines and table games
- One special permit for the installation of gambling equipment at third-party-owned establishments
In most states, there are various versions of gambling that are allowed, such as lotteries, pari-mutuel betting, or charity raffles. Only Nevada and Louisiana allow it, and Utah and Hawaii have legislation in place to prohibit gambling of any sort.
Another important law makes provision for state-issuance of licenses for operation of online gambling in their jurisdictions or a specified area. Access to operators outside the licensed area can at the same time be cut off.
And still in place is a federal law prohibiting banks and financial institutions from conducting transactions with unlawful gambling operators. It is not the gamblers, but these institutions, that are penalized if they are caught having conducted illicit gambling transactions.
In recent years, cryptocurrency wallets have been a favorite method of depositing online casino accounts, helping to circumvent restrictions imposed by financial laws.
Among the most popular payment systems in US casinos are: Neteller, Union Pay, PrePay, Moneygram, and Western Union.
Native American Casinos
Fascinatingly, the majority of U.S. lawful land-based casinos are controlled by Native American tribes because gambling is permitted within reservations. In fact, some Native American jurisdictions even govern the gambling industry. A good example is the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, the agency tasked with granting licenses to online operators that meet its standards. This jurisdiction, while the most highly rated along with the ones operating in the UK and Malta, is actually located in Canada.
There are more than 400 Native American casinos operating across U.S. territory.
Native American gambling business openings were decades ago. Despite U.S. government opposition, tribal law supersedes federal limits inside reservations.
Key Aspects of Gambling in America
Finally, aside from casino games, Americans can legally participate in many other types of gambling, depending on individual states:
- Card game clubs
- Horse racing and other event betting
- State lotteries
- Charitable prize raffles
The most gambling-friendly U.S. states are Nevada, California, Washington, Oklahoma, and Florida.
The most symbolic gambling cities in the country, renowned for the size and grandeur of the gambling sector, are Atlantic City and Las Vegas.
Some of the largest gambling operators in the USA are:
Caesars Entertainment, Las Vegas Sands, Wynn Resorts, and MGM Resorts.
Legalized gambling is permitted in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware. California, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Illinois, and Washington are seeking to legalize it.
Illegal U.S. gambling sites and bogus casinos
Just like any country with gambling banned or legally regulated, illegal gambling operations exist in some parts of the U.S. These black market operators offer games of chance illegally, but American policymakers continuously revise laws to prevent criminal elements from making money through illicit casinos.
For online gamblers, the biggest risk is an untrustworthy website. There are some websites that provide substandard services, withhold payments, or even offer rigged software. Others simply do not want to make payments under an excuse.