Are bitcoin gambling sites illegal in USA?

[colinistheman]

Are bitcoin gambling sites illegal in USA?

(sub-question: Does it make a difference where they're hosted, ie. if they're hosted outside USA?)

Lastly, If an online game involving money and payouts requires skill more than luck, is it considered gambling? And is it illegal?

[b!z]

I've read somewhere that the U.S gov considers virtual currencies (such as BTC) to be money. Gambling sites must be regulated by the gov I believe (including 'skill' based games like poker). It would help to do research on Bitcoin gambling legal status in certain countries. Many sites don't accept US customers anymore, like satoshidice. If they are outside the US they will have a lower chance of being shut down, than if they are in the US.

This is what I've read. It is not legal advice, and I am not a lawyer.

[nobbynobbynoob]

IANAL so cannot give formal legal advice on this non-simple question, but it seems the answer to your question depends a lot on which state you are located in. Some, such as New York, have pretty stringent gambling laws and they might not automatically be letting you off the hook just because you don't deal in fiat.

AIUI the federal UIGEA additions don't make gaming itself illegal, right? Just funding gambling operators (all the loopholes in that law notwithstanding).

Again, IANAL so there's no legal advice in this post; take what I have to opine with a pinch of impure sodium chloride.

[StockBet.com]

According to Boston University Law Review, the laws or regulations pertaining to online gambling are related to how much money the government can make or lose, not related to morals or the pretext of protecting consumers.  See:

http://stockbet.com/#/support/gambling

[jeffersonairplane]

From my understanding Bitcoin gambling isn't illegal per say on a federal level. However, state wise, rules and regulation of virtual gambling are regulated, some more than others.

[Danglebee]

why think proper sites do not host in usa ?
you kidding yourself if think legal to run unregistered gambling currency site.

[Este Nuno]

Most of the laws relating gambling and sports betting relate to dollars being transferred across state lines. The fact that we haven't seen a bitcoin gambling site shut down it pretty good news. I've seen other more traditional gambling sites shut down. Their website was removed and replaced with a giant Department of Homeland Security seal. I don't think it's very difficult for the appropriate US agency to take down a website if it really wants to. Most hosting companies are going to comply readily with any requests by the US government.

[jjc326]

Definitely not legal to run one in the US except for certain states and you'd have to go through more hoops than any BTC owner would want to.  So that's why they're all in other countries. I believe there are a few states like MD where it's illegal to even play but other states are more vague and it's generally accepted as allowable for the indiviudal players (but not the companies I think).

[jjc326]

Most of the laws relating gambling and sports betting relate to dollars being transferred across state lines. The fact that we haven't seen a bitcoin gambling site shut down it pretty good news. I've seen other more traditional gambling sites shut down. Their website was removed and replaced with a giant Department of Homeland Security seal. I don't think it's very difficult for the appropriate US agency to take down a website if it really wants to. Most hosting companies are going to comply readily with any requests by the US government.

Well, there was Bitbook.biz which was like the top sports betting site and disappeared pretty quickly.  They let people take their BTC out but it was really hush hush about why it closed.  And I think it might have been located in US, which would explain why they closed.  This is speculation but there's never been a reason given for bitbook closure.

[Ron~Popeil]

Most of the laws relating gambling and sports betting relate to dollars being transferred across state lines. The fact that we haven't seen a bitcoin gambling site shut down it pretty good news. I've seen other more traditional gambling sites shut down. Their website was removed and replaced with a giant Department of Homeland Security seal. I don't think it's very difficult for the appropriate US agency to take down a website if it really wants to. Most hosting companies are going to comply readily with any requests by the US government.

Well, there was Bitbook.biz which was like the top sports betting site and disappeared pretty quickly.  They let people take their BTC out but it was really hush hush about why it closed.  And I think it might have been located in US, which would explain why they closed.  This is speculation but there's never been a reason given for bitbook closure.

Technically you could have it hosted somewhere else and use a vpn to access it. The risks would be quite high if you are caught.

[LostDutchman]

Most of the laws relating gambling and sports betting relate to dollars being transferred across state lines. The fact that we haven't seen a bitcoin gambling site shut down it pretty good news. I've seen other more traditional gambling sites shut down. Their website was removed and replaced with a giant Department of Homeland Security seal. I don't think it's very difficult for the appropriate US agency to take down a website if it really wants to. Most hosting companies are going to comply readily with any requests by the US government.

Well, there was Bitbook.biz which was like the top sports betting site and disappeared pretty quickly.  They let people take their BTC out but it was really hush hush about why it closed.  And I think it might have been located in US, which would explain why they closed.  This is speculation but there's never been a reason given for bitbook closure.

Technically you could have it hosted somewhere else and use a vpn to access it. The risks would be quite high if you are caught.

Really?

Watch this.......................................................................

[StockBet.com]

Most of the laws relating gambling and sports betting relate to dollars being transferred across state lines. The fact that we haven't seen a bitcoin gambling site shut down it pretty good news. I've seen other more traditional gambling sites shut down. Their website was removed and replaced with a giant Department of Homeland Security seal. I don't think it's very difficult for the appropriate US agency to take down a website if it really wants to. Most hosting companies are going to comply readily with any requests by the US government.

Well, there was Bitbook.biz which was like the top sports betting site and disappeared pretty quickly.  They let people take their BTC out but it was really hush hush about why it closed.  And I think it might have been located in US, which would explain why they closed.  This is speculation but there's never been a reason given for bitbook closure.

Technically you could have it hosted somewhere else and use a vpn to access it. The risks would be quite high if you are caught.

There might have been a few RARE occasions, but governments don't generally try to stop players.  They care mainly about the money and hence they are trying to block competition.  It's easier to stop this competition by blocking the operatings then trying to find the millions of players.

[Harley997]

Are bitcoin gambling sites illegal in USA?

(sub-question: Does it make a difference where they're hosted, ie. if they're hosted outside USA?)

Lastly, If an online game involving money and payouts requires skill more than luck, is it considered gambling? And is it illegal?

It depends on where you are located when accessing the website.

Internet gambling is illegal in the US.

There are many people who ignore these laws and gamble anyway.

[ajareselde]

Are bitcoin gambling sites illegal in USA?

(sub-question: Does it make a difference where they're hosted, ie. if they're hosted outside USA?)

Lastly, If an online game involving money and payouts requires skill more than luck, is it considered gambling? And is it illegal?

To USA everything that doesnt involve giving the a part of the cake is illegal, or if its not, they will make it illegal.
So much about your "freedom"

[nwfella]

If your going to try and run any kind of halfway successful gambling site and host it within the US and expect to not get noticed, or slip in under some more state-specific slightly more lenient terms...think again!  Your site generates enough revenue and it doesn't matter if your in the remotest out of the way place you can think of...they will find and tax the hell out of you.

[ShakyhandsBTCer]

Most of the laws relating gambling and sports betting relate to dollars being transferred across state lines. The fact that we haven't seen a bitcoin gambling site shut down it pretty good news. I've seen other more traditional gambling sites shut down. Their website was removed and replaced with a giant Department of Homeland Security seal. I don't think it's very difficult for the appropriate US agency to take down a website if it really wants to. Most hosting companies are going to comply readily with any requests by the US government.

Well, there was Bitbook.biz which was like the top sports betting site and disappeared pretty quickly.  They let people take their BTC out but it was really hush hush about why it closed.  And I think it might have been located in US, which would explain why they closed.  This is speculation but there's never been a reason given for bitbook closure.

Technically you could have it hosted somewhere else and use a vpn to access it. The risks would be quite high if you are caught.

The risks are not very high for a user of a gambling site as it is unlikely that regulators will go after small users.

If a site does not have a written policy that people in the US cannot access/use their site then they are risking a lot.

[Este Nuno]

Internet gambling is illegal in the US.

Only in some states that have a specific state law saying that gambling is illegal.

As far as I know there is no federal law explicitly outlaw gambling online.

[StockBet.com]

Are bitcoin gambling sites illegal in USA?

(sub-question: Does it make a difference where they're hosted, ie. if they're hosted outside USA?)

Lastly, If an online game involving money and payouts requires skill more than luck, is it considered gambling? And is it illegal?

To USA everything that doesnt involve giving the a part of the cake is illegal, or if its not, they will make it illegal.
So much about your "freedom"

Correct.

According to the Boston University Law Review, U.S. regulations pertaining to online gambling are about how much money the government can make or lose and blocking competition.  You, the consumer, are oppressed, as you have to pay higher prices (higher vigs and rake) and have less choices, when you have to buy from monopolies and oligopolies.

You can get full explanation at http://stockbet.com/#/support/gambling

[Harley997]

Internet gambling is illegal in the US.

Only in some states that have a specific state law saying that gambling is illegal.

As far as I know there is no federal law explicitly outlaw gambling online.

I am pretty sure that there is something that prohibits gambling using interstate communications (the internet)

[ShakyhandsBTCer]

Are bitcoin gambling sites illegal in USA?

(sub-question: Does it make a difference where they're hosted, ie. if they're hosted outside USA?)

Lastly, If an online game involving money and payouts requires skill more than luck, is it considered gambling? And is it illegal?

To USA everything that doesnt involve giving the a part of the cake is illegal, or if its not, they will make it illegal.
So much about your "freedom"

Correct.

According to the Boston University Law Review, U.S. regulations pertaining to online gambling are about how much money the government can make or lose and blocking competition.  You, the consumer, are oppressed, as you have to pay higher prices (higher vigs and rake) and have less choices, when you have to buy from monopolies and oligopolies.

You can get full explanation at http://stockbet.com/#/support/gambling

This is not necessarily true. If a casio can reach an economy of scale then they can charge less from consumers in the form of lower house take.