In late 2011 the United States Department of Justice decided to flip flop an age-old position regarding online gambling. They moved from illegalizing all forms of online gambling in the US to allowing each state to decide its own destiny. That has since resulted in Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware passing legislation legalizing online gambling in some form in those three states. And California, Texas, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Iowa and other states are all currently mulling over the possibility of legalizing online gambling as well.
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Delaware Pushing to Offer Online US Gambling First, Ahead of Nevada
You probably know many of the details. Concerning online gambling in the United States, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) has always said that is a big no-no. But in the final days of 2012, they sort of changed their opinion. They stated that activities like online lottery sales, online poker and other forms of online gambling not including sports betting probably are not that bad at all, and decided to allow each individual state in the US to decide their online gambling destiny.
Pennsylvania Looks for Keystone Status in Online Gambling as Internet Gaming Bill is Prepared
Pennsylvania’s official nickname is The Keystone State for the central role it played in the founding of the United States of America, and the formation of important laws governing the new colonies. But legislation concerning gambling both online and off in Pennsylvania has looked more like something out of an episode of the Keystone Cops in recent years. Fatty Arbuckle and the boys were much more successful in garnering laughs and falling all over themselves in the pursuit of Charlie Chaplin than they were in upholding the law, and many gambling statutes in Pennsylvania have been just as ineffective and without focus.
Mississippi Internet Gambling Bill Gaining Steam
Mississippi seeks to join Nevada and Delaware as the only states in the US to offer legalized internet gambling to their residents and travelers. With the US Department of Justice mandating that each individual state in the US should be able to dictate their own online gambling laws, some Mississippi lawmakers have been aggressively pursuing a legalized online gambling package for the Magnolia State. Their 2012 proposal did not survive, and they are back pushing for a 2013 effort.
Nevada Senator Reid Selling Fed Poker Bill to New Jersey
First, a quick chronological breakdown of the evolution of online poker and online gambling in the United States the past couple of years. Up until late last year, it was illegal for American-based companies to offer online poker and online casinos to American residents. In December the US Department of Justice reversed their decision regarding online lottery ticket sales and online poker. They dictated that interactive gaming could legally be policed at the individual state level. Since then Nevada and Delaware have both passed a legislative package allowing online poker and online gambling respectively.
US States Ignore Federal Delays With Their Own Online Gambling Regulation
In what many industry analysts saw as one of the best opportunities for a federal online gambling legislation package, the 2012 lame duck session has come and gone in the US. After the ruling by the United States Department of Justice in late 2011 that many forms of online gambling were no longer considered illegal, the door was open for a follow-up announcement of a federal interactive online gaming package. That never occurred, and with the election and fiscal cliff doom and gloom hanging over American’s heads, federal passage of online gaming legislation in the United States was pushed to the back burner.
Interstate Online Gaming Bill Hits Nevada Legislature
Thanks to the Department of Justice changing their long-held opinion regarding online gambling in the United States, each individual state can decide their own online gambling destiny. Since that changed late last year, both Nevada and Delaware have passed legislation which allows online gambling for residents and visitors when located in those state boundaries. A recent interactive gaming bill just hit the Nevada legislative branch that, if passed, would allow for players in other states to enjoy online poker and other online gaming options offered by the Silver State.
NJ Senate Says OK to Online Gambling – Governor Christie’s Turn Once Again
New Jersey online gambling proponents are holding their breath. In 2011 a legislative package which would legalize online casino gambling in New Jersey passed through the State Assembly by nearly a 6 to 1 margin. The Internet interactive gaming bill was then easily approved by the state Senate, and needed only to receive Governor Christie’s okay and signature to make the Garden State the first US state at that time to legalize an online gambling package. It didn’t happen.
NJ Assembly Says Yes to Online Gambling Bill
Just last year the New Jersey State Assembly okayed an online gaming legislation package by a nearly 6 to 1 margin. The assembly approved passage with a vote of 63 to 11, but that was still not enough to convince Governor Christie that online gambling was right for his state. He vetoed that legislation, and pro-internet gambling lawmakers were forced back to the drawing board. A revised package recently made its way to the Assembly, and on Monday, December 17, that online gaming bill received an early holiday present when it was okayed by a vote of 48 for, 25 against and 3 uncommitted votes.
Nevada Brick-and-Mortar Casinos Apply for Virtual Poker Licenses
During this wonderful holiday season, Americans generally take a moment to reflect on the past year and count their blessings. Online poker players in Nevada, as well as travelers to The Silver State, can be thankful that Nevada was the first state to pass online poker legislation in the United States this year. Delaware is the only other state to follow up on the United States Department of Justice allowance that each individual state choose their online poker destiny, but it appears Nevada is the clear front runner to officially shuffle up and deal online with the legal blessing of the United States government. Currently 12 operators have been approved for online interactive gaming licenses in Nevada, but the list of applicants continues to grow.