Anyone who has spent much time playing in the online casino industry will know that there’s one big question on the lips of most players at the moment: is it legal, and is it possible, to play online casino games based abroad?
After all, while the US is full of excellent casino and other game developers who have the best gaming interests of players at heart, sometimes games based abroad can provide an edge that US-based games can’t necessarily offer. However, there are significant legal complexities involved – and, depending on where you’re based, you may be breaking the law by accessing such sites. This blog post will delve into this complex question, and explore the question from gaming, legal and practical perspectives.
Why play abroad?
First off, it’s worth exploring why people choose to play casino games which are based abroad – or, to be more technical about it, are hosted by websites that are outside of the US. One of the main reasons is that the range of casino games on offer within the US might be restricted, especially in the event that the game has been developed abroad.
On the whole, the online casino market has done a good job at providing access to a wide range of games. However, there will still be some themed games which are hard to find in the US. Those who want to play Bollywood-themed slot games, for example, might find that the array of choice in the US is smaller than the equivalent in other countries.
It’s also true that those who want to gamble online in the US are actually not able to gamble sometimes because of legal restrictions in their state. Online gambling is not prohibited by federal law in the US, but in many states, it’s impossible to access a legal online casino based in the same state as you. That’s because individual states are responsible for actively enacting laws which approve online gambling – so if your state hasn’t done that, you may find that you don’t have much choice.
Some states, such as New Jersey, are further ahead of the curve when it comes to legalization compared to other states. New Jersey offers a range of online casino gambling services. Some people who are based in states which don’t yet have active laws on this front find that when they attempt to access these casino sites they are hit with a geo-location ban – an automated detector of their geographical location, which prevents them from going any further.
Is it legal?
The short answer is that no, it’s not legal to bet online if your state outlaws it. It’s worth looking in detail at what your state does and does not permit so that you can get a clearer idea of what legal liability you’re taking on when you gamble. Those who want to gamble online using offshore sites should seek legal advice to be sure of their position.
And is it possible?
It’s clear that it’s possible to gamble online, even if it’s not legal. A cursory Google search will reveal that there are lots of different services available to use, many of which offer a significant jackpot or two.
Sometimes, a customer who is looking to gamble abroad may need to download what is known as a VPN, which is short for Virtual Private Network. This tool essentially bypasses geographical restrictions by allowing the user to appear to the website as if they are based in another jurisdiction. On some occasions, these tools are offered for free – although they can also be purchased, often on a subscription basis. This tool isn’t foolproof, and it may not absolve you of legal liability – so you should research it first.
In short, it’s clear that a determined US casino game player could – if they wished – play games that are based abroad. There are plenty of reasons why they might choose to do this, including greater variety of game choice and different rules around potential winnings. In terms of the law, however, it’s important to always take advice on what’s permitted. The situation can vary greatly from state to state, and some states take a dim view of those who choose to gamble at overseas casinos – even from the comfort of your own home. As ever, it’s wise to always look into what your own state is doing and take it from there.