US Gambling Business

The gambling business in the United States is one of the most important sources of funding for the state treasury. About two decades ago, gambling was legalized in only two states. In the other 48, the operation of casinos and gambling clubs was strictly prohibited.

Now the situation has changed globally. Casino gambling is legal in 48 states and banned in only two: Utah and Hawaii. Hundreds of land and floating casinos operate in the United States, with many slot machines operating. From the age of 18, citizens can visit any kind of entertaining gambling establishment.

US gambling legislation

Legislative regulation of the gambling business in the United States is within the competence of local governments. As stated in Chapter 15 of the United States Code, it is the responsibility of the United States to determine the list of eligible games, the specifics of their organization, age, financial and other constraints.

The federal government has issued only a few pieces of legislation, the provisions of which are intended to regulate gambling:

• Law on the Transportation of Slot Machines, 1951;

• Wire Act, 1961;

• On Illegal Gambling Business, 1970;

• Law on Punishment of Fraudsters and Fraudsters, 1987;

• "On the Regulation of Gambling in the Territories of India", 1988.

• "On the protection of professional gamblers and gamblers", 1992;

• "Horse Racing", 2000.

The gambling business is fully legalized in the US only in Nevada and New Jersey. All types of land gambling are allowed here.

Other states have some restrictions. However, gambling business owners have learned to use the features of the law to their advantage.

For example, the laws of Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Louisiana prohibit gambling on "state land." Operators offer players the opportunity to visit floating casinos. Gambling clubs are organized on cruise ships and barges. In this way formal compliance with legal regulations is achieved.

At the same time, most Americans view gambling positively. According to the survey, eight out of ten US citizens believe that it is right to fully legalize the gambling business.

Gambling business in Nevada

Nevada has the status of the largest gaming center in the United States. Located in the world famous cities Las Vegas, Reno, Carson.

More than 2,000 casinos operate across the country. In total, more than 6,000 tables and about 200,000 video slots are available for visitors. About 50 million tourists visit gambling houses in Las Vegas, Reno and Carson City each year.

All types of gaming are allowed in Nevada. However, the gambling business is highly regulated. In order to organize activities, you need to get a license, fulfill a lot of casino requirements.

In particular, gambling establishments can be opened only in a specially designated area. It is not allowed to organize casinos, slot machine halls near hospitals, churches, schools, sports fields. There are certain requirements regarding the area of ​​the facilities, the characteristics of their equipment. Activities in the field of gambling can be carried out only on the basis of licenses issued by an official regulator.

Nevada Gaming Regulators

The gaming industry in Nevada is regulated simultaneously by two government departments that work closely together:

1. The Nevada Gambling Commission (NGC) is a state government agency. The main tasks of the department are:

• Review applications for a license;

• Issuance of licenses;

• Development of rules and regulations regulating the activities of casinos;

• Apply sanctions to institutions that have violated current requirements. In addition to imposing disciplinary sanctions and fines, the Commission may revoke the license.

2. The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) is the body that oversees casino operations. Among the responsibilities of the department:

• Discussing financial and personnel issues;

• Checking the accuracy of the information submitted by the applicants for a license;

• Providing information and technical support;

• Control over the fulfillment of financial obligations by operators: conducting audits, timely and complete deduction of taxes and fees;

• Investigating possible violations in the operation of the casino, as well as identifying illegal actions;

• Inspection of technical and gaming equipment;

• Testing of gaming devices.

Both departments have the greatest responsibility. There are several known cases when quite famous and influential people refused to get a license.

Conditions for obtaining licenses

There are three types of licenses in the United States today that allow gambling businesses to operate:

• Limited license. Allows the opening of slot machines. The facility may have no more than fifteen devices. The document does not allow for other games, including popular board entertainment. Traditionally, such licenses are issued by the owners of small entertainment centers, bars, restaurants.
• Unlimited (Unlimited). It is divided into two subspecies. N / R slots only allow the opening of halls with unlimited slot machines, but do not provide for the possibility of setting tables. N / R games and slots allow operators to use any number of slot machines and table games.
• Special operators are provided with the placement of slot machines in establishments owned by third parties. Lease terms and other aspects of the use of the building are discussed directly between the parties to the transaction.

In addition to the operating license, operators are required to prepare similar documents for each employee of the company. The production and supply of toy equipment is licensed separately.

Gambling business in New Jersey

New Jersey is considered to be the second largest gambling center in the United States. All kinds of terrestrial gaming entertainment are legalized here.

Permission to run a gambling business in the state was obtained at the initiative of the local population and based on the results of a local referendum. The first casino in New Jersey opened in 1978.

Today, there are 12 official gambling establishments in the state. The gambling industry in New Jersey is also strictly regulated by law and is controlled by specialized agencies.

New Jersey Gaming Regulators

As in Nevada, the New Jersey gambling business is controlled by two regulators:

• The New Jersey Casino Control Commission (NJCCC) is a state government agency. It has many powers in most segments of the gaming industry. The structure of the department includes five specialized departments: Licensing Department, Appellate Division, Tax Department, Legal and Administrative Sectors.
• The New Jersey Gaming Operations Division (NJDGE) is a special division of the State Department of Justice. The main task of the department is to control compliance with applicable gambling legislation.

Online gambling USA

The development of the online gaming industry in the country is more difficult. Despite the huge popularity of online casinos and bookmakers, their activities are banned by law in the United States.

In September 2006, electronic financial payments for transactions on gaming portals were banned. The law banning online gambling came into force in October.

In 2012, the situation changed somewhat. The government has passed a new law legalizing the activities of Internet casinos, poker rooms and bookmakers in certain states. However, so far only Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware have taken advantage of the new opportunities. Even professional experts do not undertake to predict how the situation will develop in the future.

Video Slot Developers in the US

Despite the restrictions on participation in online gaming, there are no contraindications to developing software for online casinos. Several well-known companies specializing in the production of slot machines for land-based establishments and online portals have become immigrants from the United States:

• International Game Technology (IGT) is a company headquartered in Nevada, Las Vegas, Reno. Started as a small firm that computerizes land-based casinos, it has grown into a huge corporation today. In 2005, IGT was awarded the status of an international company. The manufacturer creates various software for online portals and on-site gaming establishments. The developer collection includes several hundred models of slot machines, roulette, card games, lotteries and scratch cards. More than 50% of video slots installed in US casinos are manufactured by IGT.
• WMS Gaming is a company founded in 1943. The first development of the operator was the pinball machine, which came out in the forties. Today the manufacturer creates innovative slot machines and casino terminals. The list of games has more than a hundred titles. In addition, the developer is engaged in the production of casino platforms and is the creator of the social network Player's Life.
• Genesis Gaming is a company that specializes in the production of online games. It refrains from producing third-party video slots for companies that create software for Internet platforms. Today, the manufacturer enjoys the reputation of being one of the best original designers. The company’s devices are available in most large establishments and are often represented by brands from other, more well-known manufacturers. There are cars on portals and under the manufacturer's own name. Genesis portfolio includes up to one hundred devices.

In addition, there are lesser known companies in the United States that develop slots and support online casinos: CUSTOM GAME DESIGN, SLOT CONSTRUCTOR, CHILCO RIVER HOLDINGS and others.

Conclusions

The United States is a state that has earned a reputation as the "capital of the gaming world." The number of casinos and poker clubs is growing here every year. The tourist influx is growing.

At the same time, careful control of the gambling business allows you to maintain order and avoid the negative consequences of gambling.

Predicting online toy development alternatives is quite problematic. Modern legislation has opened up prospects for the development of online gambling. But the real implementation of its provisions is quite slow and faces many obstacles from the authorities.