Regardless of whether online gambling is legal or illegal, there are still a number of important regulations that govern it. These regulations are aimed at protecting the consumer from illegal gambling activities. In many cases, the best way to ensure that an online gambling company follows all the regulations is to check the company’s license and legal status.
In the United States, legality of online gambling varies from state to state. While the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 limits banks from transacting with illegal internet gambling sites, it does not define what types of Internet gambling are legal. For years, it was assumed that the federal Wire Act prohibited all forms of online gambling, but that law does not apply to lottery sites, poker sites, or online casinos.
Another factor to consider when choosing an online casino is the platform they use. There are two basic types of online casinos – download-based and web-based. Download-based casinos use a software client to connect to the casino service provider. As these programs don’t require browser support, they tend to run faster. Additionally, the software client caches graphics and sound programs, which helps the games run more smoothly. However, the initial download of software can be lengthy and there is also a potential risk of malware.