Internet gambling is a form of gambling that takes place over the Internet. It includes casinos, sports betting, and virtual poker. These games can be played through a computer or a mobile phone. This type of gambling is legal in many countries around the world. In the United States, the legality of online gambling depends on the state in which the player is located. Some states, including California, allow online gambling, while others prohibit it. A growing number of states are expected to legalize it in the near future. However, the Federal Communications Commission and the Wire Act prohibit illegal gambling in interstate commerce, and federal agencies can take action against websites and online gambling services.

The federal government has taken action against Internet gambling sites, including levying monetary fines and seizing assets in cases. However, the issue of enforcement of federal laws has been a contentious one, with constitutional concerns being raised about the ability of the Commerce Clause to authorize such actions.

There have been a number of court cases involving the enforcement of federal gambling laws. In one case, a company that provided an Internet financial services service agreed to pay $10 million in civil penalties. Another company, Discovery Communications, was accused of illegally accepting ads from a gambling website. The FBI has also warned that there has been a rise in money laundering and fraud due to the growth of internet gambling.

Online gambling is regulated in the United Kingdom and most European Union countries. In addition, some provinces in Canada allow online gambling, and it is legal to gamble in a few states in the United States. Other jurisdictions have resorted to limiting the kinds of games that can be offered.

Illegal Internet gambling is a broad subject, encompassing several federal criminal statutes. The federal Wire Act is the law that bans illegal gambling on sporting events, and the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act would have prohibited Americans from gambling over the Internet. Meanwhile, Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) provisions are in place to prevent gambling businesses from engaging in illicit activities.

There are a number of federal criminal statutes that are implicated by illegal Internet gambling, including the Travel Act, which applies to players who engage in unlawful gambling through interstate facilities. Additionally, the Bank Secrecy Act classifies casinos as financial institutions, making them subject to a variety of federal laws. Specifically, the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act (FIRREA) requires banks to report transactions exceeding $10,000 to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Many other federal laws are applicable to Internet gambling. For example, the Federal Communication Commission has the authority to regulate common carriers, and the FCC may also discontinue the leasing and providing of facilities. Similarly, the Federal Trade Commission has the authority to enforce the Consumer Product Safety Act.

Internet gambling companies are obligated to keep their operations up to date with regulations. They are required to undergo KYC and AML screening, which can help to ensure that their customers are not exposed to the risk of money laundering or other illegal activities. Furthermore, a number of customer accounts may be placed on self-exclusion lists, which can cut off access to online gambling sites. Also, online casinos should conduct external audits on a regular basis and perform in-depth checks on users.