$2.6 billion spent in online gambling in US last year

$2.6 billion was spent by Americans last year in online gambling although illegal in 2012 in every state there, the latest study that was conducted by H2 Gambling Capital and announced by the American Gaming Association (AGA) to push for federal government to legislate for a nationwide online gambling law.

The AGA said it highlights the need for federal legislation to end the state of “ambiguity” on Internet wagering.

The study shows even while still illegal the US makes up a large proportion of the global $33 billion online gambling market

Geoff Freeman the Chairman of the AGA said, “Americans account for nearly 10% of the global online gaming marketplace at a time when the business is illegal in all but three American states.

It is past time for policymakers to put necessary safeguards in place.” The association supports federal legislation to regulate online poker in the United States, but calls for “strong enforcement” against most other Internet gambling that ends the “ambiguity” of US law.”

Interestingly online poker usage fell in the US from $1.6 billion in 2006 prior to the UIGEA came into being to last year’s figure which was $219 million. US online operators in Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware will be hoping that figure rises now state are legalising online gambling again.

Prior to the UIGEA in 2006 Americans were spending $5 billion a year in online gambling.