Online Gambling- Can Players Get Arrested for Gambling Online?

By Casinogurus

Online Gambling- Can Players Get Arrested for Gambling Online?

June 23, 2021 | 1183 Views

Many countries around the world are becoming more tolerant of online gambling. Many have even improved internet gambling so that they can earn tax revenue from it. However, a reasonable number of countries are still intolerant of this exercise. The government doesn’t wholly forbid online casino games, poker, and sports betting. But they do have to confine laws against the matter.

What Is Legal Gambling?

The definition of legal gambling usually requires a specific state’s reference. In Nevada, most forms of gambling are permitted, whereas all other states may consider the activity illegal. Most legal gambling throughout the entire United States occurs through state lotteries, scratch-off stickers, bingo, and similar forms of monetary exchanges. However, local activities such as poker parties in a professional area, underage gambling with those under 21, dogfights, and human fight clubs are generally illegal. Some states may legalize certain activities to support colleges or local businesses, and it is essential to know the difference based on the form.

Laws Change From State to State

Each state has the right to legalize significant forms of online gambling, such as sports betting, poker, and casino games. Many states have already taken help of this liberty—especially when it comes to sports gambling. Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware were the first three states to legalize internet gambling. Over a dozen more states have since accompanied them. Unfortunately, others aren’t so patient with internet gaming. Some states have even gone to include language in their constitution that considers online gambling illegal.

Certain Countries Also Ban Online Gambling

The United States is one of the most authoritarian countries on internet gambling by the world’s standards. They’ve taken the time to compose legislation that discourages operators and people from engaging in this exercise. However, the federal government hasn’t moved as far to make online gambling illegal. Instead, they let the states decide how to act on the subject.

Some countries, though, do outlaw internet gambling:

  • Kuwait
  • Qatar
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Lebanon
  • Myanmar
  • North Korea
  • Singapore
  • Brunei

These nations make no doubts about deeming online gambling to be illegal for both operators and residents. North Korea has even gone far as to put severe punishments for those caught using betting sites. Most countries go a different way and take a progressive approach to the topic. But you can see that some countries are still relatively conventional about gambling.

Governments Are Often Concerned With Preventing Operators

The federal and state governments aren’t occupied with filling jails with online gamblers. Their law enforcement agencies have many more dangerous crimes to worry about. Instead, most anti-internet gambling laws are aimed at preventing unapproved operators. The federal government and many states hate offshore bookmakers for 2 reasons:

  • Regulated sites could take advantage of problem gamblers without outcomes.
  • Governments love to collect tax revenue on gambling actions that happens within their boundaries.

About the first point, politicians often demand that licensed internet gambling sites provide resources for problem bettors. This is because they want to ensure that their online markets remain entertaining and not sources of misery for addicts. But, unfortunately, some offshore bookmakers could care less about this matter. 

As for the second point, governments need the incentive to approve different types of gaming. But, again, this is because they want to collect a percentage of operators’ revenue in taxes.

They cannot do this with offshore websites that operate out of Costa Rica or Antigua. This is where regulated businesses with licensed operators become charming to lawmakers.

Of course, every state wants its citizens to follow laws. So if they’ve outlawed internet gambling, they want their residents to abide by the rules.

But the state governments and federal lawmakers aren’t interested in pursuing those who bet illegally online. Instead, they merely want to discourage people from engaging in this activity where it’s unlawful.

List of Legal Gambling Sites

Before you start online betting, you must choose a legal betting site. Here is a list of some of the best legal gambling sites available on the internet:

Is Online Gambling Safe?

If you live in a region where internet gambling is either illegal or a grey area, you can never be sure what will occur when you start online betting. You’re likely even to get fined if you live in a grey market that does not have anti-internet gambling laws. A state can’t legally charge you for a violation that doesn’t exist.

Conclusion

You may not have to wonder if it’s okay for you to bet online. Many states have legalized one or more forms of internet gambling or have legislation that could pass shortly. Though, certain states still carry a prejudiced view towards this type of betting. A few have outlawed online gambling in hopes of preventing both their residents and offshore operators. But based on the criterion set so far, you’re almost guaranteed to be able to gamble online and get away with it.