Online gambling has been a topic of debate for many years in the US. Back in 2013, the government allowed individual states to legalize the operation of online casinos, but there are many restrictions in place. There are just a few states that offer these casinos and they must be associated with a land casino in the same state. Only players who are physically located within the state borders will have access to the real money games. Online casinos have been successful and there are a number of other states that are working to pass bills that would allow online casinos to operate, opening up the industry to more players that reside in the US. Currently, many players still do not have access to US based online casinos, so they play on sites like Casumo who hold a British and Maltese gambling licenses. With hundreds of trusted offshore online casinos, US gamblers still have many options, but they would much prefer a casino to be operating in their own country.
Sports Gambling Laws
The revised laws that were presented in 2013 were only in effect for online casino sites and online sports betting was still something that punters had no access to if they resided in the US. The US Supreme Court just ruled that sports gambling is now legal in the US, allowing gamblers to place wagers on individual events. For states that are already operating online casinos, this s great news as those casinos can now add a sportsbook to the site and accept wagers from people in the US.
One of the first sports gambling locations that is slated to open is Monmouth Park, located in New Jersey. This location is backed by William Hill and they have spent more than 5 years building a bar next to a racing track in hopes of the US Supreme Court ruling being favorable for sports betting.
Ruling Causes Some Upset in Sports
Though the ruling is a positive thing for bettors and online operators, it has raised some major concerns in the world of sports. A number of professional leagues are against the ruling, saying it will have a major effect on individual sports. A number of states have been trying to legalize sports betting but they have been shot down because of the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. The Supreme Court has now rules that he PASPA is actually a violation of the 10th Amendment.
The new laws are being challenged by a number of sports leagues in the US, including the NCAA, NFL NBA, NHL and MLB. Professional athletes are concerned that legal betting will affect player performance. With many pro athletes being gamblers themselves, it is believed that platers will alter their game and even throw games if it means they can win huge profits in return.
Sports Gambling Law Can Lead to Online Casinos
Any state that adopts laws to offer sports betting will surely be in line to start operating online casinos as well. With thousands of US bettors now turning to off shore sites for gambling needs, there is a tremendous loss of revenue for individual states. Those that adopt a sports betting practice will most likely follow suit and open online casinos for residents of the state, generating more revenue, taxes and keeping gamblers in the US. The new law will also affect online poker. With the expansion of online gambling, poker will soon be included in gambling laws, allowing players the ability to engage in exciting poker action and tournament play from the comforts of home.