“Legalizing Online Gambling in the United States”

Rumors suggesting that the United States may finally allow online gambling on its soil are currently circulating, much to the chagrin of certain lawmakers. But perhaps over time, like other previously staunch critics of the industry, even these lawmakers will come to see how online gambling can hugely benefit their own states.

Recent efforts by three U.S. states to pass legislation legalizing online gambling within their borders indicate a possible sea change in the way Americans view this highly successful industry. North Dakota state representative Jim Kasper, one of those to introduce such legislation, pointed out that the revenue provided by online gambling could actually even eliminate the need to raise taxes. His point was obviously well-taken, since the legislation he introduced has passed in the House.

This is not to say that the idea of legalizing online gambling has gone over well with everyone; it has hardly met with universal approval, and at the moment things still stand that internet gambling companies must establish themselves only in countries where they haven’t been banned. Officially the United States is still battling legalization via the federal Wire Act of 1961, claiming that this Act prohibits online gambling. In fact, though, this is not strictly the case; what the Act prohibits is gambling over phone lines, not over the internet, and despite efforts to update the Act, there is still no specific mention as to the prohibition of gambling online.

In its reluctance to jump on the online-gambling bandwagon, the U.S. may find itself out of the loop for a change. A likely decision by the U.K. to allow its casinos to accept American online wagers is only the latest assault on the U.S. anti-online-gambling stance. But it won’t be the last one; the more mainstream and acceptable this industry becomes, the more pressure the United States will feel to change its tune and adapt to the times.