Online Gambling Regulators in the United States
Margaret Cooper | March 9, 2022 | Updated on: January 30th, 2024
Gambling regulations in the United States are a little complex because each state makes its own laws. This means there are parts of the country where you can play casino games or bet on sports online (such as Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Nevada.)
Then, there are also parts of the country where any form of gambling – land-based or otherwise- is illegal.
There isn’t a federal body that manages online gambling following the dissolution of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992. So, below we list some of the regulators in states that allow online gambling.
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Nevada Gaming Control Board
Nevada is the US state most associated with gambling. Las Vegas gained its “Sin City” nickname partly due to all the lavish casinos you can visit on the Strip.
Naturally, the state needed a regulator to control the laws and operations governing casinos, and so the Nevada Gaming Control Board was formed in 1955. Initially, the body only focused on brick-and-mortar operations, but as online gambling has become a thing, it has shifted its focus to include online casinos and sportsbooks.
Part of regulating online casinos in Nevada includes ensuring that they are not accessible to players located outside the state. Many states looking to legalize online gambling often look to Nevada’s regulations as guidance when creating their own.
New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement
New Jersey is the other gambling hub in the United States. The state has offered online gambling to residents of the state since 2014 and has only grown its operations since the legalization of sports betting.
Arguably, New Jersey offers the best online gambling suite in the United States. The growing network of interstate online casinos provides strong gaming or sports betting experience. And, it only seems to be getting better.
If you are an avid online gambler, you may actually want to consider making the Garden State your home!
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
Pennsylvania is generally a state that most people associate with history due to it being one of the thirteen original colonies. Not many know that the state actually has some of the most progressive online gambling laws in the country.
You can play casino games or bet on sports online in Pennsylvania. This activity is governed by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, which was formed in 2004. One of the aims of improving the state’s gambling sector is the hope it will boost tourism.
Being a new competitive entrant in the online gambling market has seen the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board rush towards making new advances in the industry. In 2020, Pennsylvania became the first state to provide a self-exclusion tool to gamblers in the state.
International Online Casino Regulators
International online casino regulators don’t really have much control over online gambling’s legality in your state. However, if you live in an area where online gambling is not banned but not officially legalized, we recommend joining an online casino or sportsbook that has at least taken the trouble to obtain some international license.
Below is a list of trusted online regulators that license trustworthy gambling sites:
Kahnawake Gaming Commission
The Kahnawake Gaming Commission is a Canadian regulatory body that licenses a load of online gambling sites, including casinos, poker rooms, and sportsbooks. The commission has a set of regulations that all licensed casinos need to follow to retain their license.
Examples of stipulations include:
- Casinos must regularly have games audited for fairness by independent bodies.
- Casinos need to payout players on a timely basis.
Panama Gaming Control Board
The Panama Gaming Control Board is another regulating board that often licenses online casinos that accept US players. Many casinos prefer getting this licensed as they are exempt from paying taxes in Panama should they obtain the license. Getting the license can sometimes be a lengthy process, though.
The Control Board requires that the casinos provide players with a fair and honest gaming experience. If a site fails to do so, they run the risk of losing their license, which would prove detrimental to business.
Malta Gaming Authority
The Malta Gaming Authority was established in 2001. It governs the activities of both B2B and B2C online gambling operations. It is one of the most well-known regulatory bodies in Europe. Some of the Authority’s functions include:
- Preventing underage gamblers from accessing online services.
- Ensuring casino games are regularly tested for fairness.
- Investigating player complaints.
- Monitoring licensees to see whether they remain compliant with regulations.
Curacao Internet Gambling Association
The Curacao Internet Gambling Association is another popular accredited online gambling regulator. Established in 1996, it is one of the oldest regulating bodies out there.
Over the last 25 or so years, the casino has ensured that all of its licensed online casinos, sportsbooks, and poker rooms offer top quality services. Many casinos licensed by this regulator are powered by some of the industry’s biggest game providers, including NetEnt. This is another sign you can trust Curacao casinos.
Antigua Division of Gaming
The Antigua Division of Gaming was launched in 1999. It is a governing body that offers interactive gaming licenses. Compared to some of the other regulating bodies on this list, the initial cost to begin the licensing process is pretty high.
Several governmental bodies around the world trust the Antigua Division of Gaming. The body’s high standards mean that you can join a casino or sportsbook licensed by this regulator without fear.