Online gambling is a growing industry and one that is not without its risk. This includes the risk of children accessing it, the risk of gambling on the wrong site or the risk of the payout not being fair. Nonetheless, a growing number of consumers are using it. A recent study conducted by the Gambling Commission found that in 2020, the majority of online gambling consumers will be using mobile phones.
The first online casino to go online was the Liechtenstein International Lottery. Since then, the gambling market has grown tremendously. In fact, in the next few years, it is estimated that Eastern Europe will be the fastest growing region in the world. And while it is still early days, it is likely that the online gambling market will eventually encompass North America, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East.
Although online gambling has been around for a while, the market is still expanding and many states are working to keep it in check. To that end, the United States recently enacted the Online Gambling Regulation Act (OGRA) to regulate the industry.
There are many laws on the books relating to online gambling. In general, gambling is governed by state law and the federal government has its own regulations and enforcement priorities. However, there are certain federal statutes that are directly implicated by illegal online gambling. For instance, UIGEA prohibits the acceptance of financial instruments from illegal Internet bets.
Another statute is the Travel Act. If a player uses an interstate facility to engage in unlawful activity, the resulting fine can be hefty. Other laws that may apply to players include the Federal Communications Commission’s authority over common carriers and the state of Maryland’s gambling legislation.
One of the most interesting areas of the gambling industry is the development of smart phones. Smartphones have become increasingly sophisticated and have spawned an array of new apps. Many of these applications enhance the gaming experience. While most of these are for fun, there are also games for real money.
Some of the most interesting gambling sites are those that offer both the online and mobile versions. These can be accessed with ease and convenience and often feature intuitive apps that are a pleasure to use. Mobile users are responsible for 80% of all online gambling in most nations.
Online gambling is a big business and while there are many legitimate gambling sites, there are also many scams out there. The reputable sites will have a solid reputation and a good customer support team. They will also have a solid security system in place. It is always a good idea to do a little research before signing up.
Finally, the UIGEA is the most comprehensive gambling regulation in the US. Specifically, it lays out a variety of factors to identify low-level gambling cases. Moreover, it comes with some Congressional findings on how the law is being implemented and the effect it is having on interstate commerce.