Table of Contents
1. Introduction to Gambling Laws in the United States
2. Federal Gambling Regulations
3. State-by-State Overview of Illegal Gambling
1. Alabama
2. Alaska
3. Arizona
4. Arkansas
5. California
6. Colorado
7. Connecticut
8. Delaware
9. Florida
10. Georgia
11. Hawaii
12. Idaho
13. Illinois
14. Indiana
15. Iowa
16. Kansas
17. Kentucky
18. Louisiana
19. Maine
20. Maryland
21. Massachusetts
22. Michigan
23. Minnesota
24. Mississippi
25. Missouri
26. Montana
27. Nebraska
28. Nevada
29. New Hampshire
30. New Jersey
31. New Mexico
32. New York
33. North Carolina
34. North Dakota
35. Ohio
36. Oklahoma
37. Oregon
38. Pennsylvania
39. Rhode Island
40. South Carolina
41. South Dakota
42. Tennessee
43. Texas
44. Utah
45. Vermont
46. Virginia
47. Washington
48. West Virginia
49. Wisconsin
50. Wyoming
1. Introduction to Gambling Laws in the United States
Gambling laws in the United States are complex and vary by state. While some states have fully legalized gambling, others have banned it entirely. This article provides an overview of the states where gambling is illegal, including both land-based and online gambling.
2. Federal Gambling Regulations
The Federal Wire Act of 1961 makes it illegal to use wire communication to place bets on sports events. However, this law does not apply to non-sports betting, such as lottery games. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006 makes it illegal for banks and other financial institutions to process payments for online gambling transactions.
3. State-by-State Overview of Illegal Gambling
The following is a list of states where gambling is illegal, including both land-based and online gambling:
Alabama
Gambling is illegal in Alabama, except for bingo, which is regulated by the state.
Alaska
Gambling is illegal in Alaska, except for charitable bingo and certain lottery games.
Arizona
Gambling is illegal in Arizona, except for tribal casinos and state lottery games.
Arkansas
Gambling is illegal in Arkansas, except for bingo, pull tabs, and state lottery games.
California
Gambling is illegal in California, except for tribal casinos, state lottery games, and horse racing.
Colorado
Gambling is illegal in Colorado, except for tribal casinos, state lottery games, and horse racing.
Connecticut
Gambling is illegal in Connecticut, except for tribal casinos, state lottery games, and horse racing.
Delaware
Gambling is illegal in Delaware, except for state lottery games, horse racing, and charitable bingo.
Florida
Gambling is illegal in Florida, except for state lottery games, horse racing, and jai alai.
Georgia
Gambling is illegal in Georgia, except for bingo, raffles, and certain charitable games.
Hawaii
Gambling is illegal in Hawaii, except for state lottery games and bingo.
Idaho
Gambling is illegal in Idaho, except for bingo, raffles, and certain charitable games.
Illinois
Gambling is illegal in Illinois, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
Indiana
Gambling is illegal in Indiana, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
Iowa
Gambling is illegal in Iowa, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
Kansas
Gambling is illegal in Kansas, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
Kentucky
Gambling is illegal in Kentucky, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
Louisiana
Gambling is illegal in Louisiana, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
Maine
Gambling is illegal in Maine, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
Maryland
Gambling is illegal in Maryland, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
Massachusetts
Gambling is illegal in Massachusetts, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
Michigan
Gambling is illegal in Michigan, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
Minnesota
Gambling is illegal in Minnesota, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
Mississippi
Gambling is illegal in Mississippi, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
Missouri
Gambling is illegal in Missouri, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
Montana
Gambling is illegal in Montana, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
Nebraska
Gambling is illegal in Nebraska, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
Nevada
Gambling is legal in Nevada, which is home to Las Vegas and other world-famous gambling destinations.
New Hampshire
Gambling is illegal in New Hampshire, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
New Jersey
Gambling is illegal in New Jersey, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
New Mexico
Gambling is illegal in New Mexico, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
New York
Gambling is illegal in New York, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
North Carolina
Gambling is illegal in North Carolina, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
North Dakota
Gambling is illegal in North Dakota, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
Ohio
Gambling is illegal in Ohio, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
Oklahoma
Gambling is illegal in Oklahoma, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
Oregon
Gambling is illegal in Oregon, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
Pennsylvania
Gambling is illegal in Pennsylvania, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
Rhode Island
Gambling is illegal in Rhode Island, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
South Carolina
Gambling is illegal in South Carolina, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
South Dakota
Gambling is illegal in South Dakota, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
Tennessee
Gambling is illegal in Tennessee, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
Texas
Gambling is illegal in Texas, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
Utah
Gambling is illegal in Utah, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
Vermont
Gambling is illegal in Vermont, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
Virginia
Gambling is illegal in Virginia, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
Washington
Gambling is illegal in Washington, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
West Virginia
Gambling is illegal in West Virginia, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
Wisconsin
Gambling is illegal in Wisconsin, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
Wyoming
Gambling is illegal in Wyoming, except for state lottery games, bingo, and raffles.
Questions and Answers
1. What is the Federal Wire Act of 1961?
- The Federal Wire Act of 1961 makes it illegal to use wire communication to place bets on sports events. However, it does not apply to non-sports betting, such as lottery games.
2. What is the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006?
- The UIGEA of 2006 makes it illegal for banks and other financial institutions to process payments for online gambling transactions.
3. Is bingo legal in Alabama?
- Yes, bingo is legal in Alabama, but all other forms of gambling are illegal.
4. Can you play poker online in Hawaii?
- No, online gambling is illegal in Hawaii, including poker.
5. Is it legal to play poker in Las Vegas?
- Yes, poker is legal in Las Vegas, as well as other forms of gambling.
6. What are the penalties for gambling in Idaho?
- The penalties for gambling in Idaho vary depending on the type of gambling and the circumstances of the offense.
7. Is it legal to play the lottery in New York?
- Yes, the New York State Lottery is legal and regulated by the state.
8. Can you bet on horse racing in Montana?
- Yes, horse racing is legal in Montana, and you can bet on races at racetracks.
9. Is it legal to play slot machines in Pennsylvania?
- Yes, slot machines are legal in Pennsylvania, and they are available at casinos and racetracks.
10. What is the age requirement for gambling in Nevada?
- The age requirement for gambling in Nevada is 21 years old.
