Online gambling is a great way to bring gambling to your doorstep. It’s even possible to place bets on desktop computers and mobile devices. However, the federal government’s attempts to regulate the Internet gambling industry are uncertain.
There are many legal online gambling sites that cater to the American public. They include casinos, poker sites, and sports betting. These sites are regulated by state laws. Some states have stricter restrictions than others. For instance, a number of states prohibit internet gaming from being available to individuals under the age of 21. This is due to the presence of alcohol in some of these venues.
The federal government has made some strides toward regulating and controlling internet gambling. In fact, they have been quite active in the arena. As of late, the Department of Justice has been actively investigating and implementing policies to regulate the Internet gambling industry. Meanwhile, lawmakers in Congress are looking at how to soften the regulatory blow. Those who are opposed to gambling may have some concerns about the Internet’s potential for bringing illegal activities into their communities.
Despite the fact that the federal government is actively enforcing these laws, some states have been less than enthusiastic about enforcing the law. A state such as Wisconsin has a reputation for being one of the most anti-gambling jurisdictions in the country. Another example is Hawaii. Although Hawaii’s population is not particularly large, there are a number of residents who oppose gambling, including those who have ties to the Mormon religion.
Although the federal government has been successful in enforcing its Internet gambling laws, the states have not been as vigorous. However, states are beginning to take notice of the potential of the Internet to bring illegal gambling into their jurisdictions. State officials are concerned that their jurisdictions might be outclassed by the online gambling industry.
While the federal government has successfully challenged and thwarted the state’s attempts to pass laws to regulate the Internet gambling industry, the question remains as to what is the best way to go about regulating and policing the Internet gambling industry. Several bills have been introduced in the House, the most significant being the Internet Gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act, which would not outright ban Internet gambling businesses from taking bets from Americans. Other proposed bills are more modest in their goals.
The most obvious solution would be to outright ban internet gambling, but that is unlikely to happen. Rather, the federal government is likely to use its power under the Constitution to reinforce state laws in cases where they arguably fail. Additionally, there is also the dormant Commerce Clause doctrine, which theorizes that federal powers are limited to activities performed within state boundaries.
Fortunately, the state of New Jersey was one of the first to pass legislation on Internet gambling. The Garden State has a state-level lottery commission that oversees the online wagering industry. The state also allows its residents to place bets on horse racing and sports.