Online gambling is a rapidly growing area of the industry. Several states have legalized internet gambling, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. However, these laws are being challenged on constitutional grounds. There are also federal criminal statutes that are implicated by illegal gambling on the Internet. Consequently, state officials are concerned that the Internet could be used to bring illegal gambling into their jurisdictions.
One of the most notable federal criminal statutes relating to online gambling is the Wire Act. It makes it unlawful to participate in illegal gambling on sporting events. The statute also prohibits the illegal acceptance of financial instruments from online gamblers. Other criminal statutes involved in the case include the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO).
Another federal criminal statute related to illegal gambling on the Internet is the Travel Act. This statute is applicable to Internet casinos and to players who use interstate facilities for unlawful activities. In addition, the Federal Communications Commission has been tasked with regulating common carriers and the leasing of facilities. If it is found that a company is engaging in unlawful Internet gambling, the FCC can halt its operations and take steps to stop supplying them with equipment.
Many regulated online gambling sites in the United States accept bank transfers. A number of banks are also equipped to facilitate wire transfers. Nevertheless, wire transfers can be cumbersome and slow. As such, some banks offer e-checks. E-checks are similar to physical checks, but they work much like online bank transfers. Although they require a valid U.S. bank account, they are available to select customers.
Another legal US gambling site payment method is PayPal. PayPal is the most popular e-wallet in the U.S., and it has the highest success rate for online deposits. Some online gambling sites in the United States even provide a secure option to deposit with PayPal. Paypal may be accessed through a personal account, but the account must be a U.S.-based account.
A number of legal online gambling sites also accept e-checks. This option is especially convenient for customers who have already set up an online player account with a casino or poker site. Most regulated sites in the U.S. can accommodate e-checks, but their deposit and withdrawal methods will vary by state.
Finally, many legal US online gambling sites also accept credit cards. These options are generally accepted, though it is best to check with each gambling site. Credit card companies will charge a flat fee for the service. But, if a player is using a credit card to fund his or her account, the site may not allow withdrawals.
In addition to credit cards, many legal US online gambling sites accept PayPal and e-checks. Payment options can also be found through a range of other methods, including bank transfers, wire transfers, and physical checks. Because these payment options differ widely, it is important to choose the right method for you.