Online Gambling in the United States

Online Gambling involves gambling through the Internet. This includes sports betting, online casinos and games of chance (but not video lottery terminals). In the United States, state laws differ greatly regarding this activity. Some have fully embraced it, while others prohibit it outright. Despite these differences, a significant amount of common sense can be applied to protect yourself.

Taking action to prevent fraud and other security threats is essential for online gamblers. This can include regularly checking account activity and implementing strong passwords and two-factor authentication. It can also be helpful to look for sites that have licenses and are monitored by governing bodies.

Personality traits can also elevate a person’s risk of developing an addiction to online gambling. For example, a 2023 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that people with high levels of neuroticism and low levels of conscientiousness are more likely to develop an addiction to online gambling.

In general, however, people are rarely prosecuted for gambling online in the United States. This is probably because, like other vice crimes, the police focus their enforcement efforts on the business people who facilitate these activities rather than attempting to arrest the gamblers themselves. If you believe you have a gambling problem, the GamCare website offers an assessment tool that can help you determine your level of gambling addiction and suggest how to get help. The site also features a list of gambling-related charities that can provide further assistance.