Illegal online gambling is a multi-layered issue that implicates several federal criminal statutes. These include the Wire Act, the Illegal Gambling Business Act, and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) provisions.

The law is designed to stop illegal gambling business owners from taking financial instruments from unlawful Internet bets. But, in order to enforce the law, individual states must follow its own laws, which may include some provisions not found in the federal statute.

In 2002, the General Accounting Office issued a report on the state of Internet gambling. This report focused on the legality of gambling and the impact it could have on interstate commerce. It also warned PayPal that it may face prosecution for facilitating illegal Internet bets.

A recent criminal case involved an operation called K23 Group Financial Services, which charged Internet poker operators with violations of the United States’ Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. This case resulted in a $4.2 million fine.

Some states have enacted their own laws for online gambling, which are often similar to Pennsylvania’s iLottery. New Jersey is among the most regulated markets and offers a variety of payment methods for U.S. players.

Payment methods vary from site to site, but most regulated casinos offer online bank transfers. However, wire transfers can be slow, cumbersome, and often are not supported by all banks.

New Jersey is among the most regulated markets for online gambling, and offers a wide range of options for real-money payment. For example, William Hill accepts PayNearMe Cash payments at retail locations.