Online Gambling May Become Legal in US

There have been some recent rumors about the possibility of operating online casinos on American soil. So far the anti online gambling lobby in the US has managed to keep online gambling operations out of the US. But with mounting pressure on the rapidly expanding business it may only be a matter of time before the US changes its policy. So far the industry has been kept out of the US and has had to set up operations in other countries that have not banned them.

Right now there are three states that are moving toward legalizing online casino. The main reason why they can´t operate in the US is because of the federal Wire Act of 1961, which bans use of telephones to place sports bets. US lawmakers have been pushing for a decade to modernize the law which may not even really apply to the Internet. Right now the business generates $10 billion a year for the Internet gambling industry.

The law itself does not specifically ban gaming and it only targets bets taken over the phone. It does not specifically ban casino games. North Dakota state Rep. Jim Kasper, R-Fargo recently commented that: "No one wants tax increases. This is a legitimate revenue maker". Kasper introduced legislation that would allow Internet poker sites to operate inside his state. So far it has passed the House. Kasper argues that legalized online casino poker could bring in millions through taxes and could stand to help the state generate needed cash revenues.

Also, the UK is on the verge of permitting its land-based casinos accept online bets from American players. A new British law will allow 137 land-based casinos in the UK to take online wagers from US players. The industry is starting to gain acceptance and even approval in countries that previously had a record of being very much against it.