The United States ended up being one of the latest countries to legalize and regulate online gambling. The Federal government legalized online casinos back in 2012 and sports betting in 2018. Since then, the gambling industry has seen a meteoric rise as interested prospects no longer have to drive to Nevada or Atlantic City.
Just like everywhere else in the world, there are two sides to the coin of gambling in the US. We mostly witness and hear about the bright side; the dark side of online gambling barely gets any attention. As online gambling picks up pace, its harmful effects will become more prominent.
What's the Legal Situation of Online Gambling in the US?
Whether citizens can gamble online or not depends on the state laws as per agamble.com. At the time of writing, 34 out of the 50 states have legalized sports betting, and 25 of the 34 states allow online sports wagering. When it comes to online casinos, you can play games online in NJ, WV, DE, KT, PA and MI as per NJ.bet's online casino guide. In 2018 alone, the average American spent a whopping $245 billion on sports!
If you search the internet, you'll find countless horror stories about gambling problems. Players have lost millions of dollars cumulatively. Many of them have lost everything in the hope of a better life, only to get submerged in debt.
Before the Supreme Court overturned PASPA in 2018, the only way for bettors to legally place bets was to travel to Nevada, New Jersey, and a handful of other states that fell outside the typical PASPA ban.
Online Gambling Problems in the US
Due to the short tenure of online gambling in the US, data on the problem of gambling is fairly limited. But a few studies and surveys have uncovered the ugly truth of gambling among Americans.
One such survey by the New Jersey attorney general revealed that 6% of NJ gamblers are chronic problem gamblers. A staggering 20% exhibit signs of problem gambling.
Pennsylvania is one of the seven states that allow online casino games. An online survey in PA revealed that a whopping 36.7% of players agree they've noticed problematic behavior in their approach when playing these games.
Thankfully, the legislators are well aware of the situation, and they're priming many bills to protect vulnerable people. These bills include proposals to limit betting company partnerships as well as a ban on advertising bonuses or free bets.
Practice Responsible Gambling
If you're a recreational gambler and you prefer online gambling for its convenience, it's crucial that you manage your bankroll and play responsibly. Assess your behavior regularly and seek help in the early stages of problem gambling.
