There is no national standard for most gambling laws. Each state can make the laws that suit their citizens, and in many states gambling in some form or another is not legal...
The advent of the internet brought about many changes in American society and led to changes in how people interacted with each other with outside groups. From shopping to dating to entertainment to politics, being online opened up whole new avenues for citizens and consumers to relate to each other and to the outside world.
The gaming world was an area that saw tremendous changes with the advent of the internet. All of a sudden gambling went viral and people could remain in the privacy of their own homes and gamble to their hearts content. In the United States online gambling centers around four issues: morality, legality, regulation and revenue.
Issues of vice always present a special problem in many parts of the United States. In the more conservative, religious areas of the country gambling has been labeled an evil sin that leads to any number of other vices. Drinking, domestic violence, stealing, financial difficulties, debt, and neglect: all have been lain at the fee of gambling. In many states, gambling of any kind, including online gambling will never be accepted.
There is no national standard for most gambling laws. Each state can make the laws that suit their citizens, and in many states gambling in some form or another is not legal. Many states allow charitable gambling like bingo of lotteries, but more serious gaming is barred by state law. For online gambling the US Federal Courts have ruled that the Federal Wire Act prohibits electronic transmission for sports betting across telecommunications lines and even though other courts have disagreed, the Justice Department holds to the prohibition. Only recently have some states started passing laws to allow online gaming.
For gambling that is allowed, the federal and state governments will strictly regulate it and tax it. If regulated correctly, online gaming can be a lucrative source of funds for cash strapped states. Already these states have seen the benefits of gaming such as casinos and lotteries, and online gaming can be another line in their budgets. With many jurisdictions still struggling to recover from the recession and the cost of providing services continuing to increase, the lure of gaming as a revenue source will continue to appeal to local and state officials. This desire to raise revenue will make even traditional foes of gambling think twice and change laws to allow online gambling within their states.