Several countries have laws regulating online gambling, including the United States. Some states have allowed online gambling, but many others have prohibited it. In some cases, gambling is only legal if the state has a license for the activity. In other cases, online gambling is illegal without a license. In the United States, the federal government has attempted to enforce its own laws against illegal gambling, but has encountered challenges on constitutional grounds.
Some of the issues raised by the federal government include the Commerce Clause and the First Amendment. However, there are a number of factors that suggest that these arguments are not particularly demanding. First, the commercial nature of the gambling business seems to satisfy Commerce Clause doubts. Second, it appears that the First Amendment protection is not enough to thwart federal prosecutors from enforcing these laws. Third, due process arguments are not particularly strong when financial transactions in the United States are involved. In addition, the limited protection given to crimes that facilitate speech also encumbers free speech objections.
The first online gambling venues were introduced in the late 1990s. These included the Liechtenstein International Lottery, which was the first online gambling venue for the general public. Another example of an online gambling venue was the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, which regulated online gaming activity from the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake. This agency issued gaming licenses to many online casinos.
In 1999, a bill was introduced to the US Senate called the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act. The bill would have prohibited citizens from participating in online gambling, including sports betting. The bill passed in the Senate, but was never enacted. Afterward, the US Department of Justice announced that the Wire Act would apply to all forms of Internet gambling. The law also prohibited Internet service providers from accepting financial instruments for illegal Internet bets.
The United States also prosecuted the owners of three major online poker companies, citing violations of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. The owners of the companies were charged with bank fraud and money laundering. The owners of Seals with Clubs, which was the first illegal gambling website on US soil, were sentenced to two years probation and a $25,000 fine.
The law also creates several distinct crimes, including laundering with intent to promote illicit activity, concealing illegal activity, and laundering for international purposes. These crimes were also used in law enforcement stings. Several states have challenged the federal government’s enforcement of these laws on constitutional grounds. However, attacks based on these grounds have had little success.
In addition, the Federal Communications Commission has jurisdiction over common carriers and can stop leasing or furnishing facilities. The Federal Information Technology Rules may also block illegal activities. Several state officials have expressed concern that Internet gambling could lead to the introduction of illegal gambling into their jurisdictions.
Despite the law’s limitations, there have been some attempts to regulate online gambling. In April 2007, Congress introduced HR 2046, the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act. This bill would modify the UIGEA to require the director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network to license Internet gambling facilities. It would also require online gambling services to get a license to advertise their services. Other laws that have been proposed include a bill that would tax internet gambling.