Online Gaming on Tablets: A Guide to North American Country Laws

The USA and Canada share similar cultures, traditions, and interests, including a love for sports, and the growing popularity of tablet  online gambling. However, just because both countries enjoy online gambling on devices like tablets doesn’t mean they handle it the same way.

So, what are the similarities and differences in online gambling between these two countries? Keep reading to find out whether using online casino sites on your tablet in these countries is legal.

The Legal Status of Online Gambling

Many people wonder if online gambling is legal in the United States. It’s a complicated issue due to various laws. The Wire Act of 1961 banned certain types of gambling, but it didn’t mention online gambling. In 2011, it was clarified that the Wire Act only applied to sports betting, allowing states to decide on other forms of online gambling. Today, federal law permits online gambling but leaves the details to individual states. So, you need to check your state’s laws before gambling online. Importantly, gambling on offshore websites is still illegal.

In Canada, the situation is different. Online gambling is generally prohibited, but you can gamble on offshore websites because the Canadian government doesn’t issue licenses for domestic online casinos. However, the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory has its own commission that licenses online gambling, making it a legal option within that territory.

Online Casinos in North American Countries: Yes or No?

In Canada, you can play online casinos in any province. However, some states in the United States don’t allow online casino gambling. The states where online casinos are legal are:

  • Nevada
  • Delaware
  • New Jersey
  • Connecticut
  • Pennsylvania (legal since 2017)
  • West Virginia (legal since 2019)
  • Michigan (legal since 2021)

Tax Law – Everything You Should Know

In Canada, online gambling winnings are not taxed. If you win, you get all the money. For example, in 2015, a Canadian won 7.5 million Canadian dollars from a jackpot and got it all.

In the USA, it’s different. All gambling winnings are taxed at 25%. Even if you win only $1, you have to pay tax. People who make a living from gambling can get a discount, but they need to fill out extra documents and pay other taxes.

Game Providers

In Canada, players can only gamble on offshore online sites. So, they get access to all game providers, whether they are European, Asian, or from elsewhere. This means Canadians have a wide variety of options.

In the USA, the situation is different. Only a few providers, such as Scientific Games, Betsoft, and Real-Time Gaming (RTG), are licensed to offer games, which limits American players’ options. However, things are changing. States like Nevada and New Jersey have started allowing more international game developers, which means more choices for players in the future.

Casino game providers must have valid licenses. This ensures the games are fair, your data is secure, and the provider follows all the rules.

Payment Options

The same methods are used for deposits and withdrawals in the USA and Canada at online casinos. Players can choose such payment methods as Skrill, Neteller, Interac, Visa, MasterCard, cryptocurrencies, or other preferred options. All these payment options ensure convenient and flexible transactions for online casino fans in both countries.

Bonus Options

Bonuses are given because there’s a lot of competition among casinos. That’s why Canadians often get bigger bonuses than Americans. This doesn’t mean there aren’t good bonuses in the USA, but casinos can offer better bonus options in Canada because the market is more competitive.

These are the main differences and similarities between online gambling in the USA and Canada. Each country has its distinct advantages and drawbacks. However, both are working to overcome their challenges and improve their online gambling markets. Despite their differences, both are trying to improve online gambling for players.