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Is Online Gambling Legal in the US?

The United States is a sometimes confusing place and that’s extra true for gambling. It is really 50 countries held together by a common central government and each state has its own laws and regulations that can be impossible to keep track of, especially if you’re moving from place to place.

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For instance, it’s illegal to drive while blindfolded in Alabama. In LA, you can get in trouble for washing your neighbours car.

And while these make for interesting party trivia, it’s the story behind them that are most interesting. Which lawmaker got up in arms about someone washing his car, and what state was it in beforehand?

When it comes to gambling, things start to feel even more confusing.

Gambling in the US

First things first, there aren’t any explicit rules making online gambling illegal in the US. Websites like legalonlinecasino.org go into a bit more detail about what is possible – but the basic rule is to check your only local laws before doing anything.

With that said, you’ll probably be pretty safe. That’s especially true if you’re using properly licensed casinos. If you’re worried, there are no end of online reviews to check out before you even have to give the sites your email address.

As always, do your research before getting too involved with a website. Decide what game you want to play, what budget you want to give it and how you want to pay, then find the site that suits you best. By doing that, you reduce the risks of getting taken for a ride.

There will probably also be plenty of information about using these websites within your state as well. So if you really want to double check, visit social websites like Reddit to see the discussion local to you.

Getting Online Casino Bonuses

It’s not only the legality and safety of playing that you have to watch out for, but you need to check if you’re eligible for the casino bonuses as well. These can be based upon your age and location too, so – at the risk of sounding like a broken record – do your research.

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Casinos all over the world offer up bonuses to make you sign up to them. This means you have a few bets on them. If you can win, all the better.

But make sure you’re reading the small print, especially if you’re not sure about the rules of your location, or if you’re under 21. That one especially will vary depending on location and you have to make sure that you can legally gamble.

Conclusion

And that’s it really. The legal status will depend on location and age, and you should do a bit of research before making any decisions.

As always, take a bit of time to make sure you’re making the right decision. And if for any reason you start to feel like you’re not enjoying it, take a break. By following these rules, you can enjoy gambling to the upmost. And that’s what it’s all about.

 

Article By

blank Mat Growcott has been a long-time member of the gaming press. He's written two books and a web series, and doesn't have nearly enough time to play the games he writes about.

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Twitter: @matgrowcott