Online Gambling is a fast growing industry. With advances in technology, games have become easier, and graphics and gameplay have become more creative. There are different types of gambling including casinos, sports betting, bingo, virtual poker, and lotteries. You can choose from a wide variety of games and options, and enjoy live casino experiences through mobile applications.
Some of the most common legal issues with online gambling include: how to define illegal Internet gambling, and what types of federal criminal statutes are implicated. These include: the Gambling Act, the Wire Act, the Illegal Gambling Business Act, and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) provisions.
In addition to defining and identifying unlawful Internet gambling, these statutes also provide penalties for those who participate in or engage in illegal gambling activities. The Gambling Act defines gambling as the act of entering into a wager, or placing a bet. For an individual to engage in a bet, they must have an agreement with a third party that a prize will be awarded in the event of a win.
The Illegal Gambling Business Act prohibits individuals from operating an illegal gambling business. Owners of these businesses are subject to up to five years in prison and fines of up to $5,000.
The Wire Act and the Travel Act are two other federal laws that have been applied to illegal Internet gambling. The Wire Act prohibits Internet gamblers from betting on sporting events, and the Travel Act applies to players who use interstate facilities to place bets on illegal activity.