Online gambling began in the 1990s as a way to circumvent government control. By establishing business in an offshore jurisdiction, online gambling operators were able to keep the business completely separate from the government. Anybody with a computer and a credit card could visit a website to place a bet. As the popularity of online gambling grew, Congress and the Department of Justice began exploring possible regulation.

Online gambling can be both fun and safe. For some, it is cheaper and easier than traveling to a casino. However, some countries prohibit online gambling and have restrictions in place for residents of those countries. To avoid these legal issues, gamblers should check their local laws first. For example, some online gambling sites will not accept pre-paid cards, but others will accept them.

While individual states can pass legislation regulating online gambling, these laws are frequently subject to loopholes. For instance, the Commerce Clause doctrine, which holds that a state’s law does not apply to commerce that takes place outside its borders, makes it unconstitutional to pass a state law on online gambling. Furthermore, states are often blocked from regulating online gambling activity on Indian reservations within their borders because of federal preemption.

Some online gambling sites accept deposits and withdrawals through PayPal. Generally, PayPal is the most widely used e-wallet in the U.S. and most regulated gambling sites accept it. However, there may be limitations as to how much you can withdraw through PayPal. Moreover, the gambling site may require you to deposit using a personal U.S. PayPal account in order to process the transaction.