Online Gambling is the practice of playing games of chance or skill for money through the Internet. There are various sites that offer casino games and sports betting.
It is also used to refer to mobile gambling, which involves using a wireless Internet connection to play games. A good example is Costa Rica’s casino operation Tropical Paradise.
Several countries, including Canada and the United Kingdom, have passed laws regulating online gambling. The United Kingdom Gambling Commission is a good example of an agency tasked with licensing online gambling providers.
France has proposed new laws that would tax online gambling. However, these are still at an early stage.
In addition to this, state officials have expressed concern that the Internet could be used to bring illegal gambling into their jurisdictions. As a result, the Justice Department has taken steps to enforce federal criminal statutes that pertain to illegal gambling on the Internet.
Online poker, for instance, is a popular form of gambling. Players can choose to play tournaments or actual cash games.
Some states have passed their own legislation on online gambling. However, if they do not, they are primarily governed by state law.
The Federal Information Technology Rules address the issue. These rules may be able to prevent illegal activities.
The American Banker reported on illegal Internet gambling transactions. PayPal was warned that it could be prosecuted.
Other legal issues are the First Amendment and the Commerce Clause. While attacks based on the First Amendment guarantee of free speech have enjoyed some success, the commercial nature of the gambling industry seems to satisfy the question of legislative power under the Commerce Clause.