Online casino gambling: Which States allow it?

Online casinos have gained huge popularity among gamblers around the world, mainly because they grant people with convenient access to a wide range of iconic casino games such as blackjack, roulette, poker, slot machines, etc., all from the comfort of their own homes.

However, online casinos are a delicate topic in the U.S., mostly because their legality continues to be a debate in many states.

Since there is no federal law banning gambling throughout the entire country, all 50 states of the United States are free to make their own rules and regulations around gambling and online casinos.

And while several states have banned online casinos outright, there are a few states that are currently considering legalizing online casinos (or at least some form of online gambling), and others that have already embraced this form of entertainment and offer regulated platforms for residents and visitors to play and enjoy responsibly.

As of now, June 2023, there are a total of six (6) states that allow gambling on online casinos, and these are those states:

Connecticut

Following the passing of House Bill 6451 and its subsequent signing into law by Gov. Ned Lamont on May 27th, 2021, Connecticut became the most recent state to legalize both online gambling and sports betting.

In order to play on a Connecticut online casino, individuals must be at least 21 years old. However, people as young as 18 years old can access and enjoy certain gambling activities, such as the lottery, fantasy games, and keno.

Delaware

Alongside New Jersey, Delaware became one of the first states to legalize online casino gambling. The legalization occurred back in June 2012 following the passage of the Delaware Gaming Competitiveness Act of 2012 (House Bill 333), which went live in 2013.

Delaware offers its habitants and visitors a total of three online casinos, Delaware Park, Dover Downs, and Harrington. These casinos operate on a shared platform and provide a range of real money online casino games. Players can enjoy a selection of 96 slot games, 8 card and table games, as well as online poker options.

While Delaware’s online gambling market is relatively smaller than those of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, it is still a pretty solid one.

Michigan

Michigan joined the ranks of states with legal online casino gambling in early 2021, two years after a legislation that was signed off by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer that legalized sports betting, online casinos and online poker, thus, becoming just the fourth state to legalize all three verticals.

All Michigan online casinos are licensed and regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board, which is a government agency whose purpose is to ensure that all online casinos offered within the territory are safe and fair for all of their players.

New Jersey

Both New Jersey and Delaware have been the pioneer states in the legal online gambling industry as they became the first ever states to legalize this form of entertainment exactly ten years ago.

New Jersey is currently, by far, the largest market for regulated online casino gambling in the US, with over a dozen NJ approved online casino sites and poker rooms that compete for an overall market that is worth more than $225 million a year. 

In this fabulous state for gambling enthusiasts, players that are 21 years old or older can enjoy a wide selection of games, including slots, table games, poker, and live dealer games, with the assurance of fair play and consumer protection in every single one of them.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania joined the online casino gambling scene in 2017, following the success of its neighboring state, New Jersey, thus becoming the fourth and biggest state to legalize and regulate online casino gambling.

There are a total of 11 online casinos working out of Pennsylvania (some of which are partnered with physical casinos) that only accepts players that are 21 or older and physically located within the state.

Some of the most popular and highly rated online casinos in PA are BetMGM, Betway, FanDuel and DraftKings; all of them offering a variety of games, such as slots, table games, video poker, and live dealer options.

West Virginia

West Virginia legalized online casino gambling in 2019, becoming just the fifth state to do so. Apart from online casinos, West Virginia also regulates other forms of online gambling including sports betting, poker sites, and online horse racing betting.

As it happens with all the previously mentioned state, West Virginia’s licensed operators provide players with the opportunity to enjoy a variety of casino games, ranging from slots to table games, all in a safe controlled manner.

Conclusion

Online casino gambling has gained traction across various states in the United States, providing players with a convenient and regulated way to enjoy casino games.

And even though, as of now, just six states have legalized this specific type gambling, there are many other states that allow casino gambling in land-based casinos and that are moving forward towards legalizing online gambling in the near future.

Some of the states that may be hearing about a regulation in online casino gambling in the next years are: Louisiana, Arkansas, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio, among others.