In exploring whether an offshore Internet gambling business taking bets from Americans violated federal law, attention was focused on the Wire Act, 18 U.S.C. But as Internet use and related gambling exploded in the 1990’s, the Department of Justice and Congress explored the applicability of current law and the desirability of new regulation for online gambling. Gambling online initially appeared to represent an end-run around government control and prohibition. Internet gambling, though widespread in the United States, is subject to legislation at both the state and federal level that bans it from certain areas, limits the means and types of gambling, and otherwise regulates the activity. Money Laundering and Racketeering (RICO).
