During the last few decades, online gambling has grown exponentially, with the global market expected to exceed $100 billion by 2026. Online casinos are a major driving force behind this growth since they allow players to play casino games like slots, poker, blackjack, and more from home.
Nevada
The state of Nevada was a pioneer in legalizing online gambling back in 2013. Licenses are issued by the state for online poker sites, but neither slots nor roulette can be played online. Players must be physically located within Nevada state lines to play on Nevada-licensed online gambling sites.
New jersey
New Jersey also legalized online casinos relatively early, with legislation passed in 2013. The state issues licenses for online casinos, poker rooms, and sportsbooks. New Jersey online gambling sites are available to players 21 and older located in New Jersey when playing. New Jersey has become the largest online gambling market in the US.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania legalized online casinos, poker, and sports betting in 2017. The state has awarded licenses to multiple online casino operators, with popular options including FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and more. You must be physically present in Pennsylvania to play on PA online gambling sites.
Michigan
Michigan passed legislation to allow online casinos and poker in 2019. Licensed online gambling sites launched in early 2021, quickly growing into one of the largest legal online casino markets in the country. You must be located in Michigan when playing on a Michigan online gambling site.
West virginia
West Virginia legalized online casinos and poker along with retail sports betting in 2019. The state currently has five licensed online casino brands, including FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, BetRivers, and Golden Nugget. You must be a West Virginia resident to play on WV online casino sites.
Connecticut
Connecticut passed legislation in 2021 to authorize online gambling, which is expected to launch by the end of 2022. The state plans to issue licenses for best online casino games, poker, and sports betting. Players will need to be located in Connecticut to play on CT online gambling sites once they are live. New York, Massachusetts, and California are also considering online casinos, but have not yet passed legislation. Find out if your state prohibits online casinos by checking your local laws.
Offshore online casinos
Many offshore online casinos serve the US market illegally from jurisdictions outside the country. These sites do not hold valid licenses from any US state or jurisdiction. While they seem tempting, it is illegal to play on offshore online casinos in the US. The legality of using offshore online casinos also varies between states. Some states like Washington and Connecticut have strict penalties for residents who gamble on unlicensed offshore sites. Other states do not actively enforce gambling on offshore sites, but it still violates federal laws.
