Can You Gamble Online Legally?

The answer to can you gamble online legally depends on a variety of factors, including state-level gambling laws and the legal age for gaming. Several states have already made it legal for residents to wager money on sports events, casino games and digital slots, while others have yet to approve any forms of online gambling. As more of these options become available, lawmakers are becoming increasingly receptive to the idea of legalizing online gambling.

State-level gambling laws play a large role in whether or not you can legally gamble online, as they determine what types of games are offered and who can participate. For example, some states may only allow real-money wagers on pari-mutuel horse racing and online lotteries, while others will permit all types of gambling. Additionally, different states have set their own minimum ages for gaming. In the United States, the legal gambling ages vary from 18 to 21, with the latter being the only state that prohibits any type of commercial gambling.

Online casinos are monitored by state-level gambling commissions to ensure that the games are fair, that players’ funds are secure and that they comply with all local gambling laws. Many of these sites also have resources that help problem gamblers, including links to support services and tools to self-exclude for a certain period of time.

Regardless of where you live, it’s always important to use a VPN to ensure that your data is encrypted and safe from hackers and other potential threats. In addition, a VPN will help to mask your IP address and prevent your location from being tracked by online gambling websites.

New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware were among the first states to legalize online casino games, while New Mexico, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Mississippi have followed suit with sports betting. Ultimately, the federal ban on online gambling has been reversed by the Supreme Court, and the trend seems to be accelerating as more states pass laws to legalize these games.

In Kentucky, online casinos remain illegal despite attempts by lawmakers to change the state’s gambling laws. However, the state does allow for mobile betting on pari-mutuel horse races and offers a handful of online lottery games. Legislation pertaining to changing the state’s gambling laws has failed multiple times since 2018, so it appears that the Kentucky population will have to wait for an extended period of time before legal online casinos appear.

In New Hampshire, online casinos are illegal but mobile sports betting is legal. DraftKings, BetMGM and Caesars are all available as New Hampshire-based sportsbooks. Considering the popularity of sports betting and the fact that New Hampshire’s gambling laws are very strict, it will likely be a while before online casinos launch in the state. In the meantime, New Hampshire’s residents can enjoy social and sweepstakes casinos that feature free-play slots and table games.