Online gambling is a booming business that’s grown in popularity with the introduction of new technology and increased accessibility. It’s possible to bet on a wide range of sports and games, including casino and poker, all from the comfort of your own home. However, it’s important to understand the risks of gambling online before you get started.
In the early 1990s, when the World Wide Web was growing in popularity, it appeared to represent an end-run around government control and prohibition. Any operator could set up a site in an offshore jurisdiction and start taking wagers from Americans, bypassing state law by using the Internet as a medium of transmission. This raised concerns with the Department of Justice and Congress, and led to a number of attempts to regulate online gambling.
The most popular type of online gambling is online slot games. These are easy to learn and play, but they can be addictive and cause problems if you’re not careful. You should always play for fun and only use real money when you feel confident enough to do so. If you’re unsure about how to play a particular game, read up on the rules of the site or consult a professional before you try it for yourself.
While New Jersey was a pioneer in allowing residents to place wagers online, many states have since caught up and adopted similar legislation. Pennsylvania, for instance, took longer than NJ to launch iGaming, but it’s now a fully mature market with more than 10 different safe, authorized online casinos available to residents of the Keystone State.
Connecticut has also made it legal for its residents to gamble online, but it’s a little more restrictive than some of the other states that have passed laws permitting iGaming. Its online casinos are a bit limiting in that they’re just digital versions of the state’s brick-and-mortar casinos, and it doesn’t offer the brand recognition that you would find with an iGaming product from a company like DraftKings or FanDuel.
The same is true in Michigan, although the state’s online casino offerings are a bit more robust than those of Connecticut. It’s still not as extensive as New Jersey, but it’s getting close, and it should be ready to go when its current 10-year gambling act expires in 2023.
Despite being one of the most populous states in the country, New York doesn’t permit its residents to participate in online casino gambling. There have been multiple attempts in recent years to change this, but it looks as though the state will continue to keep its distance from iGaming until at least 2023.
Despite having the largest tribal casino count in the United States, California doesn’t allow its residents to gamble online at any of its gaming sites. Until that changes, Californians will have to resort to in-person casino play or other types of online gambling to enjoy their favorite casino games.