Increasing access to the internet has made gambling available to a wider audience. By 2008, the revenues generated by online gambling had reached over $21 billion. However, there have been concerns that this activity could lead to the introduction of illegal gambling into jurisdictions. Consequently, state officials have expressed concerns about this issue.
The federal government has reinforced state law in some cases. But it has faced constitutional challenges to the enforcement of the laws. The Commerce Clause has been raised in a number of cases. The Due Process Clause has also been used in attacks against the federal law. These attacks have been relatively unsuccessful.
The most common advantage reported by users of the internet is convenience. This is due to the ability to participate in a wider range of betting options at a faster rate. However, this may also increase the rates of disordered gambling.
The legality of online gambling is a matter of state law. In many cases, state law will require a certain age for gamblers to be. In some countries, the minimum age is as high as 19 years. In the United States, the minimum age for gambling is 18 years.
There are several laws that have been enacted to regulate and prosecute gambling activity on the internet. The UIGEA, or the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, is one such law.
The UIGEA prohibits individuals from using financial instruments to accept a bet for illegal Internet gambling activities. The Act does not prevent consumers from making a bet over the telephone.