Is gambling on the Internet still illegal in the US?

Have the gaming laws on the Internet have been relaxed? Recently I received a brochure from SBG Global Gaming and I was able to put funds in my account even though I am in the USA. I thought it was illegal to gamble on the Internet. Are these guys breaking the law — and me with them? I don't want to find out next year that the FBI is looking for me for cybercrimes. What's going on with these Internet gaming sites?

Sincerely,
Raymond

Dear Raymond,

The law hasn't changed. It is still illegal to gamble on the Internet in the United States. Nevertheless, I don't think you have to worry about the Feds knocking on your door should you place a wager on that site. I don't the authorities have ever gone after players. If they have gone after players, it was only a handful. Come to think of it, I think they've only gone after a couple of operators who were U.S. citizens operating sites out of other countries. They were arrested when they came back to the U.S.

Gambling on the Internet has never tempted me. It's nearly impossible to get cocktail service at my computer.

Best of luck in and out of the casinos,
John

Send your slot and video poker questions to John Robison, Slot Expert, at slotexpert@comcast.net. Because of the volume of mail I receive, I regret that I can't reply to every question.