Blackjack players could soon be placing their bets online, thanks to a new Justice Department opinion, which could fully legalize online gambling in the US.
For years, all forms of internet gambling has been considered "illegal under federal law," violating the 1961 Federal Wire Act which, in 2005, was used to stop the state of Illinois from starting an internet lottery. However, with the recession bringing revenue drops to states across the country, Illinois asked the Justice Department to reconsider and, with the help of New York, finally hit the jackpot! The DOJ reversed the precedent, stating that the Wire Act only refers to sports betting.
Although the opinion doesn't cross state lines, already California and Iowa, amongst others, are trying to get bills quickly moved to authorize online gambling. In the meantime, New Jersey State Sen. Raymond Lesniak has confirmed he's trying to get a bill to Gov. Chris Christie's desk by next week, saying; "We can be the Silicon Valley of Internet gaming."
