The legal online gambling industry in the United States is a nascent one, but the trend is showing signs of growth. A growing number of states have enacted legislation to allow sports betting and other forms of internet gambling. Currently, only a few states have fully-functioning casinos and online poker sites.
For those seeking a legal thrill, online gambling can offer a number of benefits. Not only does the Internet bring a Las Vegas experience to a cell phone, but it also enables gamblers to choose their own games and wagers. Despite the proliferation of mobile devices, the traditional casino is not phasing out anytime soon. Online gaming is becoming a popular alternative, with more Americans placing bets on sports and playing their favorite casino games from home.
In the state of Illinois, the online gambling industry is relatively new. In the past few years, the state has been experimenting with online gambling in a variety of ways. It began by allowing the placement of slot machine-like video lottery terminals at seven racetracks. Eventually, state lawmakers approved the placement of such machines in a number of other locations. One of these locations was the Tropical Paradise casino in Costa Rica.
While the Internet provides access to gambling on a global scale, there are still many restrictions. For instance, the federal government has a number of laws in place that restrict the sale of illegal gambling items, such as the Wire Act and the Illegal Gambling Business Act. However, the laws are generally applied to a limited scope. Rather than cover the entire gamut, they limit the types of games and gambling venues available.
The most effective strategy for implementing the law is to engage in an informed public education campaign. For instance, the Illinois State Gaming Commission has published a website that contains a list of rules and regulations that govern the operation of online casinos and online gambling sites. These rules are designed to protect consumers and taxpayers alike. Also, the commission encourages businesses to apply to operate a sports betting kiosk. There is a good chance that the operator of such a facility will receive a license.
In addition, Illinois has recently begun to implement legislation requiring online casinos and online gambling sites to obtain a sports betting license. As of December, the state had 11 true gambling locations, including the casinos, lottery sites and racetracks. In the long run, the goal is to expand the number of options to a much broader range of locations.
The state has also started to explore the use of mobile applications for recreational gambling. Mobile applications may not provide the same degree of convenience as physical casinos, but the technology enables a number of useful functions, such as work meetings.
While a number of states have passed legislation promoting online gambling, there are only a handful of states that currently have full-functioning casinos and online poker sites. Some states are taking advantage of the growing industry by adding the ability to gamble from a mobile device to their current casino offerings.