If you want to gamble from the comfort of your own home, it is now possible thanks to online casino gambling. But is it legal? And if so, in which states can you play? In this article, we’ll take a look at each state’s laws and regulations to find out. We’ll also cover the various types of gambling available at each site, and we’ll give you our top picks for the best casinos to play from home.

Online gambling exploded in popularity after the World Wide Web was introduced, and it seemed to be a clear end-run around government prohibitions on betting. The Internet allowed operators to establish sites in friendly offshore jurisdictions and accept wagers from anyone with a computer, a credit card and an internet connection. However, a few states took action to regulate the industry and protect players.

While there are still two states that outright ban gambling (Utah and Hawaii), most of the United States now offers some form of regulated gambling. Some states have a strong religious or cultural outlook on gambling, which affects their regulatory climate. Others have a more pragmatic approach that considers how the activity will impact social and economic well-being. Regardless of the reason, there is now some form of legal gambling in 48 of 50 U.S. states, including the burgeoning market of online casinos.

When it comes to iGaming, Nevada has the distinction of being the only state that does not offer its citizens access to online slot machines. Instead, Nevada residents must visit a physical casino to spin the reels on a real-life machine. However, the state does regulate online lottery games and other forms of interactive gaming.

New Jersey was the first US state to pass legislation to regulate online casino games, and its iGaming offerings have expanded significantly since then. It was followed by Pennsylvania and West Virginia, which approved platforms in 2019. Michigan laid the regulatory groundwork for iGaming in 2019 but had to wait until 2021 to launch its products due to COVID-19 delays.

Connecticut has legalized iGaming for its land-based casinos, but it has yet to approve any online casino gaming options. In the meantime, players have the option of visiting one of two approved online sportsbooks in the state – DraftKings and FanDuel – which are working in partnership with the state’s two tribal partners. In the future, the state may decide to license additional iGaming providers.