Legal Online Casinos in the United States: A Historical Overview
1990s: The Dawn of Online Gambling
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1994: The Free Trade and Processing Act was passed in Antigua and Barbuda, allowing online gambling.
Event Details 🌍 Online Gambling Legislation Antigua and Barbuda becomes the first jurisdiction to license online gambling sites. -
1996: The first online casinos were launched.
Event Details 🖥️ Launch of Online Casinos Online casinos such as InterCasino made their debut.
2000s: The Rise and Fall
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2006: The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) was enacted.
Event Details 🚫 UIGEA Enactment Prohibits payment processing for unlawful online gambling, impacting operators. -
2007: Many online casinos exit the US market.
Event Details 🚪 Market Exit Major operators cease operations in the US due to stricter regulations.
2010s: The Turnaround
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2011: The Department of Justice’s opinion on the Wire Act was clarified.
Event Details ⚖️ Wire Act Clarification Non-sporting bets are deemed legal, paving the way for regulated online gambling. -
2013: New Jersey, Delaware, and Nevada legalized online casinos.
Event Details 🏛️ State Legislation The first states to offer legal online casinos, marking a significant milestone.
2020s: Expansion and Growth
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2020: Michigan and Pennsylvania join the list of states with legal online casinos.
Event Details 📈 State Expansion Legal online gaming experiences significant growth despite the pandemic. -
2021: Legalization efforts in several other states are underway.
Event Details ⚡ Ongoing Legislation States like Virginia and Connecticut enact laws for online gambling.
Conclusion
The evolution of online casinos in the United States showcases a journey from prohibitive legislation to a rapidly expanding market. With ongoing discussions about legalization in multiple states, the future of online gambling looks promising. For more insights, visit NGO Gaming Commission for regulatory updates.