Will Online Bingo Ever Become Legal Across the US?

Before signing up on any online casino in the United States, you must realize gambling is not legal across the entire country. In fact, while some states question the credibility of bingo casinos and whether the game qualifies as gambling. Others are dead against any form of wagering activities, including social gambling activities like online bingo.

When wondering if online bingo will ever be legalized across the US, the question does not have a straightforward answer since local and federal laws complicate the situation. In order to arrive at a definitive answer, we must first figure out how the US defines, regulates, and perceives online gambling, and more specifically online bingo.

Federal Regulations

The United States follows one of the world’s strictest legislation on gambling. This might come as a surprise for many since the country is home to some of the largest land-based casinos in the world. Las Vegas and Atlantic City combined houses a major portion of the US gambling scene.

Fortunately, most of these ageing federal statutes do not regulate online casinos. This is where local rules enter the picture. Although the states are allowed to form their own regulations, federal laws lay the groundwork for such legalities.

1.       The Wire Act

Drafted in 1961, the Wire Act was formed way before online gambling was conceived. This ancient legislation regulates online gaming and gambling in the US and was originally designed to stop organized gambling events.

The Wire Act still applies today due to the inclusion of the words wire communication, which originally meant promoting wagering activities. Although it can still be interpreted as online gambling since the internet is a form of wire communication, the authorities let it slip. This is just one among numerous loopholes that exist in the lawbook.

The US Department of Justice introduced a few changes to the Wire Act in 2011. According to the amendment, the act only applies to sports contests and events, giving states the opportunity to form independent gambling regulations. Online bingo was decriminalized, opening new avenues for ardent iGamers.

2.       Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act

Unlike the Wire Act, the UIGEA regulates the larger operators. Especially companies supplying gambling games, facilitating gambling payments, and service providers. The act tends to fight money laundering and internet fraud.

The UIGEA stops credit card companies and banks from processing payments related to gambling operators and receiving payments from individuals with criminal records. This is one of the numerous laws preventing US-based gambling sites from accepting local players. Online bingo falls under the purview as it involves financial transactions.

Social Gambling in the US

Bingo is often considered a pastime activity and isn’t a social offence, unlike gambling at casinos or sports betting. Bingo is mostly legal through the US, save for the states that consider social gambling illegal. If you don’t suffer from a similar prejudice and would like to sign up for online gambling in PA, visit PAPunter for the widest collection of online bingo sites in Pennsylvania.