The rise of online gambling was initially hailed as an end-run around government control, with operators able to set up their operations in an offshore jurisdiction. This meant that anyone with a computer and a credit card could find and wager on a gambling site. The emergence of online gambling, however, sparked a debate over regulation and the ethicality of gambling. Congress and the Department of Justice began exploring possible regulations. However, they found no consensus on the best way to regulate online gambling.
The recent growth in online gambling has led to a significant increase in legal gambling opportunities in the United States. The PlayUSA site offers information on online casino sites, poker sites, and sports betting, as well as pages dedicated to sports betting and bonus offers. Users can compare and contrast the best gambling websites in the US, and can even download a demo of popular Vegas slots. Regardless of whether you choose to play at home or in an internet casino, online gambling is growing rapidly.
However, some sites are illegal. The Department of Justice maintains that Internet gambling is illegal in the US. However, a recent hearing in the House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary was held on this topic. While the Department of Justice argued that all online gambling is illegal, the Fifth Circuit disagreed. Therefore, online gambling remains a legal option in the United States. However, regulation and research are needed to better understand the impact of this activity on people.