Online Casinos for US Player
Online casino gaming has become one of the most popular pastimes worldwide. Games like online poker, online blackjack, roulette, craps, slots and baccarat have taken the Internet by storm. However, many US players face frustration because of online gambling restrictions in the United States. The good news is that, despite the restrictions, there are still a number of online casinos that accept players from USA.
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about online casinos for US players, from which casinos accept players from the United States, to online gambling legislation in the US, deposit methods, and the answers to all your other questions.
US Online Gambling Legislation
Contrary to popular belief, online gambling is not illegal in the United States. So why do people think it is? On October 13, 2006 the Bush administration passed a bill through Congress that tightened security measures for United States seaports. Attached to this bill at the last minute a rider that banned banking institutions from transferring funds to individuals or businesses that may be conducting online gambling operations in places where gambling is prohibited.
This act, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), cut off the revenue stream for online gambling rather than going after the US online casino players. However, many online casinos have found ways around the UIGEA act and still open their doors to US real money casino players.
The Future of US Gambling Legislation
In the past year or so there has been a lot of opposition to the UIGEA. A number of activists and Congressmen have come together to fight this act and to regulate online gambling in the United States. Most notably, US Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts is currently trying to pass a bill through Congress to legalize and regulate online gambling. The Frank Bill has mustered up a lot of support.
A Senator on the US Finance Committee has also proposed online gambling as a way to fund new health care reform in the United States. Tax revenues generated from online gambling could be used to pay for healthcare reform. The Internet Gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act is estimated to generate over $60 billion in revenue over the next decade if passed.
Are Certain Games Illegal?
There is a myth about online casino gaming going around in the US that says slots, blackjack and roulette are illegal but all other online casino games are fine to play. The truth is that US residents are able to play all online poker and online casino games at casinos that accept US players. Nothing is off limits – not slots, blackjack, roulette or any other games.
Finding an Online Casino for US Players
If you are a player in the United States looking to play casino games on the Web then you are probably wondering where to start looking. There are a number of casinos that accept US players. A few of these casinos include Crazy Slots Casino, VIP Slots Casino, Silver Dollar Casino, Millionaire Casino, Online Vegas Casino, Caribbean Gold Casino and Go Casino.
When looking for a casino online in the US it is important to take the gambling laws in your state into consideration. Gambling is not restricted in most states. However, there are currently restrictions on gambling in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington State and Wisconsin. If you live in one of these states you should refer to the US Gambling Law in your state to find out what restrictions are currently in place.
Note that Microgaming casinos have left the US Market for the time being. However, once new online gambling legislation is passed many online casinos may re-enter the US market. US players that played previously with Microgaming were not forced to close their accounts, but were urged to open new accounts with online casino brands more welcoming to US players.
US Casino Payment Methods
If you are a US player thinking of gambling online then you may be wondering about what payment methods are accepted. In online casinos that meet the terms of the UIGEA and are conducting legal online gaming operations you will find a large number of payment options. Many US casinos accept credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, Discover and even American Express. E-wallet services such as UseMyWallet, Neteller, EcoCard, Click2Pay and Moneybookers are also popular US casino payment methods. Many online casinos also accept payment via cash wire or bank transfer.
Many US online casinos do not pay out to a credit card when you withdrawal money from your account. However, they generally offer payout via any of the e-wallet services mentioned above or by e-check.