NJ,-WV,-MI,-and-Beyond-–-How-US-States-Are-Expanding-their-iGaming-Industry

The United States has a pretty complicated law regarding gambling in general. As there are no federal laws in regards to the practice, each state is in charge of regulating the industry. Which leads to many Americans (and non-Americans) being confused about the rules of the country as a whole. The complications have grown even further now that online gambling (henceforth called iGaming) has grown in popularity in the world (and indeed, in the USA). But the good news is that the laws in regards to iGaming are changing. So, in this article, we are going to take a look at New Jersey, West Virginia, and beyond, and analyze how the iGaming industry is growing in America.

Legal iGaming Options

So, the first question that we must answer is what legal options Americans have for gambling online. And the first option we are looking at are the local iGaming websites, headquartered within the country’s borders. Out of the 52 American states, not many have opted to legalize online gambling yet, so first let’s take a look at where iGaming is completely legal.

New Jersey is the state that first legalized iGaming. And the decision has turned out quite well for them. New Jersey has the biggest iGaming industry in the country. Most recently, Michigan has also legalized online gambling websites. If you are a Michigander, you can check out the options here, if you are interested in the industry. This isn’t the first time we have seen Michigan unafraid to be at the forefront of progress. In the past 3 years we’ve seen them use data analytics to improve their state-run services, and even made use of machine learning to help predict Covid-19 severity.

The Future of iGaming in America?

And here is where we bring up some good news for any prospective gamblers. The iGaming industry is one of the fastest growing and most successful industries of the 21st century. Business within the industry is growing at an exponential rate. So, naturally, when an industry develops, governments are interested in taking advantage of the growth. Brands are looking at new innovations surrounding the industry and how it may evolve in the future and what steps can be taken now to keep interest from players in the sustainable future.

Precisely for this reason, many experts are predicting that, in the very near future, close to 50% of the states in the USA are going to have legalized online gambling. So, anyone interested in placing wagers online, might just need to wait a couple of years before they can do it legally and safely.

Most Popular Games in America

Another question worth answering is this: What are the most popular games that the iGaming industry has to offer. In this section of the article, we will be tackling that question. We will go over a few of the more popular games, describe how they work, and maybe explain a bit about why they are so popular. So, let’s have a look.

Sports Betting

Starting off our list is sports betting. While not a game per say, many do lump betting and iGaming under the same umbrella. And if we follow that trend, then we have to say that sports betting absolutely dominates. Americans hold a deep passion and appreciation for sports, and have been betting vigorously since the 1800s. So, it is no surprise that sportsbooks are so incredibly popular in the country, both offline and online.

Slots

No doubt, when looking at the different casino games, slots rule in terms of popularity. They are simple, easy to understand, and pay out hefty sums for a comparatively low wager. So, it isn’t surprising at all that online slots have taken such a life of their own. They follow the same basic premise and formula as land-based machines. However, with the added benefit of visual and audio effects, that makes the games more colorful and engaging.

Blackjack (Live and Web)

Blackjack is just one of those games that every gambler has to try at least once. First of all, most often, blackjack has the best player odds out of any casino game. Second, it is incredibly fun. Now, while web blackjack is incredibly popular, many find that it loses somewhat of the immersive experience of the real thing. So, that’s where live blackjack comes in. A dealer streams the game in front of a camera, and the players call their next move from a text or voice chat, creating a truly immersive casino experience.

Conclusion

iGaming is a rapidly rising industry. Already it is legal in quite a few European countries (most notably the UK, Finland, Germany and Scandinavian countries). The best part is that the practice is spreading around the world, becoming legal, and of course safer. If you are interested in playing at online casinos, make sure you find websites that have been licensed by reputable organizations like the Malta Gaming Association, Gibraltar, Curacao, and the Great Britain Gambling Commission.