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Gambling Laws in the USA Explained – NJ + South Dakota State Legislation Examples
Gambling laws in the US may seem complex, but once you break them down, they actually make perfect sense. It all begins with Federal Law passed through Congress where there is a ban on American financial institutions allowing players to fund any type of online gambling accounts.
If caught, the fine is exorbitant to say the least, so naturally the financial arena in the US obliged by banning all online casino transactions. Even crypto wallets based in the US are susceptible to fines if caught allowing US subscribers to fund an overseas online casino account. However, state level laws can override Federal law using land-based casino licenses where taxes on gambling revenue are still applicable.
Explanation of how US online casinos can operate under land-based casino licensing
To explain further, New Jersey is perhaps one of the best examples to use. Land-based casinos have licences to operate in Atlantic City—the only place where casinos are legal in the state under the New Jersey Casino Control Commission (NJCCC).
Next, under the Division of Gaming Enforcement’s Licensing Forms (NJDGE), online casino brands can apply for a partnership under one of the land-based casinos. For example, you can check out this virgin-casino review, which is a US online casino available in New Jersey under the Tropicana Atlantic City land-based casino licence. As long as Virgin Casino operates its online gambling servers on the premises of Atlantic City’s Tropicana land-based casino, players that connect with these servers are effectively betting inside the casino.
As a result, betting using US dollars is legal, and financial institutions can legally offer deposit and withdrawal methods with these casinos. Adding to this, if you search for legal/licensed online casinos in New Jersey, you will also see the Tropicana online casino is another option.
Both Virgin and Tropicana online casinos operate under the same Tropicana land-based casino license and, as such, revenue earned via the online casino is clubbed together and reported to the Inland Revenue for tax purposes.
Explanation of states that use different frameworks for multiple gambling verticals (South Dakota)
Both online sports betting and online casinos can operate in the Garden State under the laws laid out by the NJDGE. However, in some states, online gambling is illegal, while making deposits to online and/or mobile sports betting are legal. This may seem odd at first, but in effect, both gambling verticals operate under different laws in some states. Then there are separate land-based sports betting, horse racing, and casino laws that do not coincide with online gambling laws. In South Dakota, there are different laws for all verticals.
South Dakota Gambling Laws:
- Online Horse Racing—legal framework in place (Permitted)
- Land-based Horse Racing—legal framework in place (Permitted)
- Dog Racing—no legal framework (Not permitted)
- Online Casinos—no legal framework (Not permitted)
- Land-based Casinos—legal framework in place (Permitted for certain games)
- Poker—legal framework in place (Permitted)
- Online Sports Betting—no legal framework (Not permitted)
- Land-based Sport Betting—no legal framework (Not permitted)
- Fantasy Sports Betting—no legal framework (Not permitted although some confusion)
- Lottery—legal framework in place (Permitted)
As you can see, in South Dakota, the laws allow online and land-based horse racing bets. Yet, this does not fall under sports betting, which refers to football, soccer, basketball, and so on. Meanwhile, no forms of online casino gambling have a legal framework in place. Lottery is permitted thanks to a 1986 constitutional amendment approved by voters.
Land Based Casino Games Permitted in South Dakota
In 1989, land-based ‘Video Keno’, ‘Bingo’, and ‘Video Poker’ came to South Dakota as the first casino games to legally operate in the state. Shortly after, casinos in Deadwood would come to town via a vote that made casinos legal here to save the city’s economy.
Land-based casino games now legal in South Dakota’s Deadwood:
- Video Slots
- Blackjack
- Poker
- Craps/Roulette
- Video Keno
- Bingo
- Video Poker
Casinos must abide by maximum bet limits on each game and the number of tables, slots, or other gaming machines allowed on the premises. With the laws regularly changing, the city is now a popular casino destination with over 40 land-based establishments operating today.
Why is it important to understand the different state laws?
If you are looking to gamble legally in the US whether online, retail, or at a land-based casino establishment, through this guide, you will now be aware that some states are straightforward with their laws, while others have various laws across multiple verticals.
New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, and Connecticut have the most straightforward laws for pretty much all forms of gambling. Nevada is fairly straightforward legalising all forms of gambling online and land-based with the exception of online casinos. Then there are states you will need to do a little more research on, such as South Dakota, where gambling laws are applied to a variety of different verticals. Now you know what to look out for, you can travel across the country and know what to look for before deciding whether you can legally gamble.
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Internet Gaming Operator by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
This significant milestone authorizes absolutebet to offer regulated iGaming services in Ontario’s legal market under the oversight of AGCO and iGaming Ontario (iGO).
The registration marks a key step in absolutebet’s mission to bring a trusted, responsible, and innovative online casino experience to Ontario players. absolutebet is committed to operating with integrity and transparency, meeting all provincial standards for player protection, responsible gambling, anti-money laundering, and game integrity.
“Securing AGCO registration is more than a milestone—it’s the start of absolutebet’s journey in one of the most exciting regulated markets in the world,” said Chen Truman, Founder of absolutebet. “We are building a brand that will grow with the Ontario community and set the stage for future expansion.”
On the regulatory milestone, Krisztina Kalla, Legal & Regulatory Compliance Advisor of absolutebet, commented: “I’m incredibly proud to see all the hard work behind this license pay off. Securing AGCO registration has taken months of preparation and close collaboration with regulators and partners. I am very happy to see the result of that work, and even more excited as we move into the launch phase and open up the absolutebet community to Ontario players in a fun and responsible way.”
Ontario is recognized as one of the most competitive and fast-growing regulated iGaming markets in North America. With AGCO registration secured, absolutebet will move forward with the final stages of its iGO onboarding process in preparation for launch.
The post absolutebet Secures AGCO Registration as an Internet Gaming Operator in Ontario appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Alex Malchenko Head of Sales at Evoplay
Evoplay strengthens Ontario presence in partnership with Caesars Entertainment
Evoplay, the award-winning game development studio, has partnered with Caesars Entertainment to expand its footprint in the Canadian market, following its initial entry earlier this year. The partnership integrates 20 of the studio’s top-performing titles onto Caesars Palace Online Casino, Horseshoe Online Casino and Caesars Sportsbook & Casino in Ontario, including fan-favourites such as Hot Triple Sevens, Triple Chili, and The Greatest Catch Bonus Buy.
Having announced its official entrance into Ontario in March, the collaboration with Caesars marks a significant step in Evoplay’s local strategy. Further standout releases, such as Inner Fire Bonus Buy and Hot Volcano, also launched as part of the initial package, with additional player favourites, including Fruit Nova and Ice Mania.
The collaboration underlines Evoplay’s commitment to working with leading operators to deliver high-quality content tailored to regional audiences.
Alex Malchenko, Head of Sales at Evoplay, said: “Launching with Caesars in Ontario marks a key milestone in our North American strategy.
“It reflects both the strength of our portfolio and our commitment to providing innovative, high-performing content to operators of the highest caliber.”
Ricardo Cornejo Rivas, Vice President of Online Gaming at Caesars Digital, said: “Evoplay brings a fresh and dynamic approach to online gaming, which we’re excited to offer to our players in Ontario. This portfolio of standout titles adds to our growing content library and furthering our ongoing goal of delivering top-tier entertainment experiences to our players.”
The post Evoplay strengthens Ontario presence in partnership with Caesars Entertainment appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
The iGaming Ontario Board of Directors has announced Joseph Hillier as the organization’s new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective September 8, 2025. Joseph’s depth in the Ontario igaming market combined with successful public and private sector careers make him the ideal President and CEO at this critical point in iGaming Ontario’s growth.
Joseph was most recently Chief Strategy Officer and Corporate Secretary at the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), where he delivered significant strategic and regulatory initiatives across the province’s alcohol, cannabis, gaming, and horse racing sectors. Prior to the AGCO, he served as Chief of Staff to Ontario Attorney General Hon. Doug Downey and led the development, launch and implementation of Canada’s first private sector-driven igaming market and the creation of iGaming Ontario. Joseph also spent more than a decade working in the financial and legal services sectors.
The Board expressed its sincere thanks to David Smith for serving as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer since Martha Otton’s retirement.
The post iGaming Ontario Appoints Joseph Hillier as its New President and CEO appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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