Illinois Makes Online Gambling Legal
October 26, 2009
There are many within the United States that thought that the first state to legalize online gambling would be either California or New York. These two states seem to be the most liberal and the most likely to have intrastate online gambling, and in fact they were both working on possibly making it happen. However, it seems that they have been beaten to the punch as the state of Illinois will be the first to offer online gambling.
The United States Department of Justice is still stressing that online gambling is illegal due to the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. There are, of course, many factions out there trying to overturn the UIGEA but as of now that does not seem to be happening. It would appear that Illinois is tired of waiting.
They are offering online gambling unrelated to their state lottery, and it will be on horse races within the state. This of course makes them the first United States state to officially allow online gambling to occur within their borders. The horse racing industry is absolutely thrilled as they say this move will save the racing industry.
The Illinois Racing Board has already approved three licenses for their online gambling sites to take the action on the five horse racing tracks. As of right now it is legal to place your bet at these online gambling sites. You Bet and Twin Spires are both already received their online gambling licenses within the state of Illinois. The online gambling industry is excited by the news as they say it is a step in the right direction, but with so many people feeling like online gambling should be legal everywhere it is almost a hollow victory.
