2019 Online Casino Legal
The frenzy that caught many technology-loving citizens, regarding the United States online gambling expansion, is not necessarily a phenomenon that we might see at a prevailing level in the law-creating structures of the states.
2019 brought us more of the same from the previous year – more massive fines by the UKGC against its own licensed casinos, more US states legalizing weed – but can’t get it together to legalize online gaming, a-hole affiliates targeting problem gamblers, rogues – rogues and more rogues. In Delaware, online casinos and online poker were launched at the same time — in November 2013. Although the First State seems like a strange location for amazing web-based gambling, that’s exactly what it is. As of December 20, 2019, online casinos and online poker are legal in the state of Michigan.
Virginia is at the bottom of the list when it comes to the prospect of instating such a regulation. We usually find this sort of reluctance to even debate the subject in states which haven’t a very liberal stance on gambling in general. Seeing how there aren’t any casinos in VA, it’s actually no surprise that talks about online casinos haven’t even started.
Best Virginia Online Casino Sites
| Casino | Bonus | Website | Rating | Features | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2000 | 246 voted Review |
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| 2 | $12250 | 227 voted Review |
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| 3 | $12000 | 326 voted Review |
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| 4 | $2500 | 414 voted Review |
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| 5 | $1000 | 145 voted Review |
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| 6 | $7777 | 135 voted Review |
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| 7 | $3000 | 193 voted Review |
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| 8 | $800 | 454 voted Review |
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| 9 | $4000 | 401 voted Review |
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| 10 | $5000 | 423 voted Review |
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Contents
Virginia Gambling Laws Overview
Virginia gambling laws aren’t the strictest in the country, but they also don’t offer any intense support in expanding these activities. Putting it simply, the authorities are not yet convinced of the pluses the instalment of slot machines in Virginia is going to bring to state’s budget.
The biggest shortage in the VA gambling field is, without any doubt, the lack of land-based casinos state-wide. For those state residents that are keen on betting in table games, not offering this option can result in two things:
- An important part, as some of the more permissive states have found out, of potential tax revenues aren’t going to Virginia’s budget
- This money is still spent, only in the benefit of others: either travelling to nearby states, Maryland and Delaware being the main speculator of this opportunity, or even worse, going abroad, towards online casinos based off-shore
Statistics show that a state with tribes willing to put the base of casinos on their land, get a taste of what the extra revenue from casino activity means and are much more relaxed towards the idea of allowing the expansion of gambling. In Virginia, the only recognized tribe thus far, the Pamunkey have had a different approach, being completely against it, even having to reelect a new tribal chief, which would support less this idea.
However, gambling in Virginia isn’t completely non-existent. The largest part is played by race betting. Until 2015, a renowned horse racetrack, the Colonial Downs, offered live racing to enthusiasts. However, some issues and endless debates made the venue to close-up shop for an indefinite amount of time. At the time, it’s rumoured to become a golf course. Still, betting on races is possible through the OTB locations around the state.
Virginia also has a state lottery and allows charitable gaming, as well as the organizing of social events, in the form of social poker, as long as no fees are paid for taking part.
Virginia Online Gambling Possibilities
Online gambling Virginia is not a subject in the state’s fiery debates so far, VA having other priorities to handle in this field, before that. This means that no slot machines are available anywhere between state borders. A solution has been found for this issue, as well, and seeing how the best casinos, in this case, are the ones available for VA players, it was the loop that off-shore new RTG online casinos found to enter this market.
For example, Bovada is legal in Virginia through the fact that it’s not actually specified to be illegal anywhere in the legislation. Thus, for those who wish to play online slots for real money, the only thing to look out for is the best way to discern between plenty of options existent out there. Filtrating these online sites through the pluses and minuses are given to them in professional made reviews, like the ones from the list above, might just be the easiest and most reliable way to go about this.
- Top 1 USA online casino
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Offline Gambling
Racetracks
The races should have been the element to replace gambling casinos in Virginia’s market. They were the main betting entertainment provider, up until 2015, when the only racetrack active, suspended its operations. Nowadays, the track is said to become a golf course, which ironically enough would allow golf courses betting.
Lottery
What would gambling in VA mean without the existence of a state lottery? It also participates at the interstate available versions, Mega Millions and Powerball.
Charitable Games
Some non-profit organizations are allowed to host charitable gambling events, in the form of bingo games, raffles or duck racing, in order to raise money for a specified cause. Also, as a result of many people not wanting to travel to casinos near VA, social casino nights are allowed, as long as the organizers don’t receive a fee for hosting such events. Surely though, this is a weak replacement, as it mainly offers a form of social poker, while other types of gambling, such as baccarat, are hard to be found at such events.
Future Prospects
2019 came along with an unexpected twist in the gambling market of Virginia after a bill on expanding this domain has passed the State Senate. The main development that this bill stipulates is that of allowing sports betting Virginia, which would be a terrific first step on the road to gambling expansion. It also could lead to the opening of one of the first state casino resorts, located in Bristol. Before getting hopes up, at this point, a referendum must be held on the matter, which would only be possible in November, but it’s still great news on the authorities’ behalf.
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2019 Online Casino Real Money For Us Players
FAQIs gambling legal in Virginia?
There are some forms of gambling Virginia permits within its state: lottery, charitable games, and racetrack betting. There currently aren’t any gambling casinos, although some movement has been seen lately in that area, with a new bill passing Senate, which would allow a first casino to be built in Bristol. For those who haven’t the patience to wait that long, there is the option of traveling to nearby states, Maryland and Delaware being the closest go-to destinations. Also, online casinos are available, but only those situated in across borders jurisdictions.
Are there casinos in VA?
There aren’t any casinos in Virginia at this point, but the alternatives of going up online are permitted. As long as the operators of these online casinos are licensed in other countries which allow these activities. Also, driving around 100 miles to the closest casino in Maryland, for example, although uncomfortable, might just solve the issue.
Can I gamble online in Virginia?
If I would like to do some Internet gambling near me, there are only four states where I need to go, for that to be legal. As a resident of Virginia, these states are a bit farther away than comfortable, so another option to engage in online poker, would be to use the off-shore websites that accept players from the US. The main problem with not having Virginia online casinos is that if fraud happens, no American authority is allowed to check out the issue, but instead, you’d have to entrust the matter to the licensing authority, which is in another country altogether. For that not to happen, choose carefully the online casinos to play at. Instead of going solo on searching the wide web for a safe website, it’s better to follow the recommendation list of casinos from those sites specialized in reviewing online casinos.
What is the legal age for wagering in VA?
Not unlike the neighboring West Virginia gambling age, the same partition happens when it comes down to the Virginia gambling age: 18 for a lottery, bingo, racetrack betting and 21 for online casino gambling.
Are there any changes for the good in Virginia’s gambling market?
There is a real opportunity for a first addition to the Virginia casino list, in Bristol, after a bill has passed Senate in early 2019. If this bill manages to pass a state referendum, the possibility to play roulette should be available in no-time. The same bill is also trying to regulate sports betting, so it seems there are many things to be looking for in the near future.
Contents
As discussed in a previous article on the legality of playing blackjack online, the gambling industry in America is one of the most structured and developed gambling environments in the world. It is surprising then, that out of all countries in the world, the US probably has the most confusing situation when it comes to online casinos.The majority of this confusion stems from the fact that online gambling is partly regulated by federal laws and partly by individual states. Moreover, since each state approaches the subject in a different manner, the average US player is left baffled when trying to decide whether using online casinos is legal in their state.
Current Federal US Laws That Regulate Online Casinos
Here’s a statement no one was expecting — no federal law in the US says that online gambling is illegal. However, it also doesn’t say that it is legal, which makes the market a gray area. US citizens are allowed to place wagers online, but only if the website isn’t based in the US.
The US federal law explicitly prohibits banks — or any other financial institution — to knowingly process transactions between a known web-based gambling business and US-based customers. In essence, it is illegal for your bank to handle a withdrawal or deposit to or from your casino account. That was the goal of the much-grumbled-about UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act).
You should notice, however, that it isn’t a crime for a US-based player to make or request a transaction — it’s just illegal for the bank to process them.
When it comes to lawmaking, the Tenth Amendment of the US Constitution states that anything that doesn’t have a specifically granted Federal purview and jurisdiction is up to the states. Thus, the Federal Government has not taken any stance related to gambling taking place within individual states — it up to individual states to do that.
The only two areas that the Federal Government regulates are:
- Interstate Commerce
The consequences of the first were already explained. The latter resulted in allowing states such as New Jersey to have online casinos, but only if they are being offered to US citizens physically located within New Jersey’s boundaries.
Casino Laws by State
Current States’ Laws That Regulate Online Casinos
If federal law was all that US players had to consider, the legality of web gambling would be a lot easier to talk about. Unfortunately for US-based gamblers, US state law is sometimes more restrictive than federal law.
So how strict are US state laws on internet gambling? Some US states have laws that explicitly prohibit all forms of online gambling.
Online Casino Australia Legal 2019
Those are:
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Illinois
- Montana
- Oregon
- Louisiana
- Utah
- Hawaii
State law prohibits the residents of these states from placing any kind of bet over the internet, regardless of federal regulation. Other states are less strict but are still restrictive — in South Dakota, for example, anyone in “the gambling business” is not allowed to place online bets, which is a really quirky law if you think about it.
Long story short, some US players have to walk a thin line if they want to play in an online casino while remaining within the confines of the law. Thankfully, the US rarely prosecutes online gamblers. We only found two instances where an online gambler broke a law, and both come from politically conservative states.
States in Which Online Casinos Are Legal
Thankfully, several states are more liberal toward online gambling and allow online casinos to operate in their area.
New Jersey
The state of New Jersey doesn’t prohibit online casinos and online poker. It is currently the biggest market for regulated online gambling in the US. Over a dozen licensed and legal online casino websites and poker rooms compete for their place in the sun in a market that is worth over $255 million per year.
Pennsylvania
In PA, online casinos were launched in July 2019 and online poker in November 2019. Gamblers have the option to bet in person or online via mobile app or website. Many Pennsylvanian major land-based casinos have created their online casino versions too.
Delaware
In Delaware, online casinos and online poker were launched at the same time — in November 2013. Although the First State seems like a strange location for amazing web-based gambling, that’s exactly what it is.
Michigan
As of December 20, 2019, online casinos and online poker are legal in the state of Michigan. However, operators are limited to a single online skin, and multi-state games aren’t permitted. Each of the 23 tribal and three commercial casinos can apply for licensing, but online casinos are still waiting to be legalized.
Nevada
Even though it is an unofficial birthplace of American gambling, the state of Nevada only allows online poker in designated poker rooms. Yes, they do have a legal WSOP website, but other online casino games are prohibited.
Offshore Casinos — A Handy Alternative
Even if you aren’t physically located in the states where online casinos are legal, there is still a way to find some quality entertainment online — by playing in offshore casinos.
Any US citizen can legally access these licensed offshore gaming platforms from most states. As we already explained, in Washington, Wisconsin, Montana, Illinois, Utah, Hawaii, Oregon, and Louisiana, all forms of online gambling are explicitly forbidden.
If you are wondering whether it is safe to play in casinos that aren’t licensed in the United States, the answer is yes. These casinos are legitimate and have clearly defined guidelines and rules that ensure a safe and fair gaming environment.
In addition, in order to offer casino games to gambling enthusiasts and be able to do business around the globe, offshore casinos need a license from reputable gambling jurisdictions, which makes them safe and trustworthy.
Moreover, since no federal law prevents US-based players from gambling in licensed offshore casinos, they can enjoy playing their favorite games on these platforms. Safe online casinos that accept US citizens possess valid certificates and licenses and are monitored by reputable governing bodies. They also have enticing welcome bonuses, a slew of interesting games, and a protected online gaming environment.
Future of US Laws That Regulate Online Casinos
The future is bright. Really bright. The biggest obstacle toward legalizing online casinos in the US was that the government was trying to stop the gradual loss of citizens’ interest in their official gambling zones — Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Since that has already happened, there is nothing that stands in the way of progressive legalization of online casinos across the nation.
Not to mention the fact that states without legal online casinos are starting to lose gambling aficionados who travel across state lines in order to play in states where gambling is legal. For instance, the legislative trend in New York is going toward expansion of gambling activities rather than contraction, since the state doesn’t want to lose its players to its neighbor New Jersey.
FAQ
You need to be at least 21. Even though the legal age limit for the online lottery is 18, you have to be 21 to play in an online casino. It is likely that lawmakers will decide to change the limit in the future.
In the states where they are legalized, online casinos must follow strict regulations and are therefore completely safe. However, you should exercise due diligence — always do thorough research before you decide to join a casino.
Yes, you can; many casinos offer these games. Lately, a lot of online casinos have begun introducing this section on their platforms. Live casino games are popular since they offer a genuine casino experience. Of course, not all online casinos sport a Live Casino section, so make sure you find those that do.
Just like all other industries today, the online casino industry is very competitive, meaning there is a myriad of casino games at your disposal. Any land-based casino game you can think of probably has an online version. What’s more, online casinos can often surprise you and you can run into some games you’ve never even heard of.
To cater to the needs of their players and thus remain competitive, the majority of online casinos offer a broad selection of payment methods. This results in easy and secure online payments. Of course, the processing time depends on the payment option you select.
Yes, you can. Online casinos, like other websites, understand the importance of mobile optimization and do everything in their power to meet the needs of their players. Since many players prefer to use their smartphones to play games, most casinos either have a fully optimized mobile site or a dedicated mobile app.