Online gambling is betting on games of chance, such as blackjack, poker, and roulette, over the Internet. It is a form of betting that has taken off. However, while the Internet has made it easy to play, it can also be very deceptive.
While the Commerce Clause appears to offer some protection against the use of the Internet for illegal gambling, there are still some issues that arise with respect to the First Amendment. This includes the possibility that a player who is engaged in a transaction overseas could be in violation of federal law.
In addition, there are questions regarding the ability of the states to regulate gambling activities that take place in part over the internet. For example, the General Accounting Office, now the Government Accountability Office, published an overview of the issues related to internet gambling in 2002.
The United States has also been involved in a criminal prosecution against an Internet poker operator. The case, United States v. K23 Group Financial Services, involves the UIGEA and money laundering.
As of 2016, the online gambling market is estimated to be worth over $400 billion. More than a third of that is due to the growth of online casinos.
The most common types of games available are sports betting, casino games, and online poker. Each of these types of gaming has its own rules and is usually played for real money. Often, online casinos will offer promo codes and gifts to increase the value of your gamble.