Internet and Online Gambling Illegal in the US
Gambling People
remind you that, according to a new law passed by the United States
government forbids gamblers from using credit cards, checks and
electronic fund transfers to gamble online or settle online wagers.
U.S. Based Players (this includes citizens and non-citizens): The
information found on this site is meant for news and information
purposes only. Use of this information in violation of any US federal,
state or local laws is strictly prohibited.
Since September 30th 2006, the Capitol Hill Congressional Republicans
have pushed through legislation cracking down on Internet gambling.
The new legislation prohibits gamblers from using credit cards, checks
and electronic fund transfers to gamble online or settle online wagers.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist is said to have stated that the bill
addresses what he calls a "shadow industry" that is simply illegal.
The National Football League is supporting this measure as well as anti
gambling groups. In addition to this, some banking groups have also
lobbied against it. The measure was attached to a bill aimed at
enhancing port security that passed on Friday.
The Internet gambling industry is headquartered almost entirely outside
of the US, though many of its customers are US based players and bet
makers. It seems that the aim of the new legislation is to protect the
US government from losing billions of dollars in revenue to
foreign-based companies and to keep US players from spending their
hard-earned money on foreign gambling institutions instead of in their
own country. US citizens will unfortunately, have to battle this out
with their own government.
The new gambling provision is not expected to affect gambling at US
race tracks, land casinos and state lotteries as these do not apply to
wagering online.