Online gambling has grown in popularity over the last few decades. There are many sites where you can place your bets on sports, casino games, or even fantasy sports. The best part is that you can do it from the comfort of your own home. You can use your computer or mobile device to access your account.
Online poker is one of the more popular forms of online gambling. These sites offer tournaments and actual cash play. Players can also enjoy “instant” games, which are games that can be played without downloading any software.
Several states have laws regulating online gambling. Hawaii has an interesting law on the books. It states that “gambling may be prohibited in any manner whatsoever.” However, it does not prohibit the offering of online poker.
The United States has a federal statute governing gambling. Specifically, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) imposes penalties for those who illegally provide access to or facilitate gambling operations.
The Department of Justice has been investigating the legality of online gambling since the late 1990s. In the past, the department has seized assets in cases involving illegal Internet gambling, and settled cases with online businesses that accepted money to market virtual gambling operations.
A study in the United Kingdom found that 15 percent of adults said they had placed a bet online more than once a week. Other statistics show that Internet gamblers report a more convenient and timely method of getting their hands on their money.