Online gambling has grown in popularity over the last two years. Research indicates that the market will increase by about 11% per year. This means that more and more states are expected to pass online gambling laws. However, there are still many countries that restrict the practice. It’s important to know what legal requirements are required for a casino in your area, as well as how to protect yourself from fraud.
A casino is considered a financial institution under the Bank Secrecy Act. Since 1985, banks and other financial institutions have been required to identify the owners of companies that open accounts. In some cases, they are also required to file large cash transaction reports. The United States government has been taking action against online gambling websites.
Online casinos and other gaming sites are required to have adequate security measures in place to prevent money laundering. This includes verifying age and location of users, as well as appropriate data security standards. Moreover, federal agencies have the ability to fine and seize assets if the companies fail to comply with these laws. Keeping up with these laws is an essential step to making your online casino a legitimate and reliable business.
For example, Canada requires a casino to maintain a large cash transaction report. Additionally, the country requires electronic funds transfer reports as well as virtual currency transaction reports. These reports can help prevent criminals from using your website as a front for money laundering.
Another measure that helps casinos reduce their risk of fraud is implementing a strong KYC/AML framework. A strong KYC/AML program can assist with identifying users, avoiding account takeover attacks, and confirming the source of funds.
However, these measures are only effective if the gambling site implements them in an efficient and compliant manner. If not, it can be difficult for them to detect suspicious activity, or to take corrective measures when it’s too late. One way to improve your compliance operation is to conduct regular external audits. Lastly, online casinos should conduct more in-depth checks on their customers. Some customers may opt to place themselves on a self-exclusion list. This will allow the casino to cut off access when a user exceeds a specified spending threshold.
Another law that the United States has implemented to address gambling is the Travel Act. This law applies to Internet casinos and players who use interstate facilities to conduct unlawful activities. It also allows the Federal Communications Commission to discontinue the lease or furnishing of facilities if they become a threat to public safety or public health.
Finally, the United States has introduced the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act). While the UIGEA focuses on commercial activity, the law’s effect on interstate commerce isn’t clear. The UIGEA does, however, provide several factors that can aid in weeding out low-level gambling cases.
Although these laws are only a few of the laws that can be imposed on online gambling sites, it’s important to understand the legal landscape and how to stay compliant. As the number of gambling sites grows, it’s critical for the industry to be aware of the relevant laws and to do what’s necessary to avoid being a victim of fraud.