Gambling in the home is not a right, nor is it protected by privacy laws. However, there are many resources available to help you with your gambling concerns.
The Internet has spawned a host of new technologies that make gambling easier, more convenient, and more lucrative. These include online casinos, online sports betting, and virtual poker. Online sports betting is especially popular because it is fast, convenient, and often available on mobile devices.
Several federal statutes are implicated by illegal Internet gambling. One statute in particular, the Wire Act, is particularly relevant for those involved in online sports betting. This legislation prohibits gambling on sporting events, unless done via an approved channel.
Other notable laws include the Travel Act, the Illegal Gambling Business Act, and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) act. Each of these laws imposes penalties on those engaged in illegal gambling.
The CRS report RS21984 provides a more granular look at the various statutes. It includes the text of cited statutes, and also includes citations to the various state gambling laws.
It also makes it clear that the Travel Act reaches Internet casinos and their players. Although the law can be interpreted in a variety of ways, one thing is clear.
In the United States, the law requiring online casinos to display the legal gambling age is a relatively minor exception to a much broader rule. For example, the State of New York defines gambling as an act of entering a bet.