Despite the many benefits of online gambling, it can also be a dangerous activity. The lure of big money can lead to huge losses and debt. The best way to avoid this is to be responsible.
Illegal gambling on the internet can be punished under seven federal criminal statutes. These statutes include the Wire Act, the Illegal Gambling Business Act, and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.
The Wire Act prohibits gambling on sporting events. The Illegal Gambling Business Act penalizes any business engaging in an illegal gambling operation. Those who engage in illegal gambling are subject to up to five years in prison.
The Online Gambling Regulation Act (OGRA) aims to regulate the online gambling industry. It was published in December 2002. It is commonly abbreviated to OGRA. Section 13(4)(b) of the OGRA contains information about the calculation associated with the OMA.
The CRS Report RS21984 abridged contains the aforementioned CRS Report RS219 and the OGRA, but it is the OMA which really stands out. It includes the text of the aforementioned OMA as well as citations to various state gambling laws.
The Liechtenstein International Lottery was the first online gambling venue available to the public. The Liechtenstein Gambling Control Commission has since issued a warning to online gamblers about fraudulent casinos.
The OGMA has been challenged in court on constitutional grounds. One example is the Lawrence and Earle decision. This case involved state laws that prohibited certain forms of sexual conduct in the home.