Why Online Gambling Is Difficult To Legalize

Though certain states now allow online gambling, other states refuse to pass laws on the subject. As 2016 is a presidential election year, the subject of online gambling legalization may take on a life of its own.

As some states continue to resist allowing online gambling those who support it are concerned that the overall profit from it will drop in the face of so much adversity. Lawmakers in most if not all states will begin discussions about legalizing online gambling but will then become apprehensive about the idea and shy away from it after all.

Pennsylvania lawmakers have been setting the scene to legalize online gambling. Possible fallout for those who support the idea has the potential to derail it at any moment. Lawmakers that consider online gambling controversial can control the outcome of the state’s efforts to bring online gambling to its residents. If the state of Pennsylvania legalizes online gambling other states are likely to follow in their footsteps. This could lead to interstate agreements on allowing residents of each state to gamble at other state’s online casinos. For example, a gambler living in New Jersey would be able to play in its online casinos as well as Pennsylvania casinos online.

The main argument for legalizing online gambling has always been the extra revenue it would bring to the state in question. However, in 2016 it is possible the focus will switch to increasing revenues for land based casinos by letting people test the water with their online counterparts. This has been successful in the state of New Jersey as Atlantic City’s Golden Nugget Casino has an online version that has increased their revenue as well as the amount of money that the state receives. Online casinos are helping land based casinos reconnect with gamblers who have fallen out of the habit of traveling to their favorite casino.

New Jersey has had more success than any other state when it comes to making a profit from online gambling. The industry had a 17% growth rate in 2015. The revenue accrued from online gambling for the year was close to $150 million.

Fantasy sports sites have also contributed to the controversy or legalizing online casinos as gamblers are starting to prefer betting on their favorite sports games to playing traditional casino games. On the other hand, some states that already allow online gambling are in the process of expanding to include their own state run fantasy sports sites. The regulations for these sites are similar to the regulations for online casino sites and this is causing certain states to want to offer both online casinos and the fantasy sites in order to further increase their revenue. Massachusetts, New York and California are three states that are seriously considering expanding their online gambling options as well as sports betting options.

The future of online gambling may thrive if lawmakers successfully overcome objections from those who oppose it for so many different reasons.