The Department of Justice maintains that, under the Wire Act, all Internet gambling by bettors in the United States is illegal. U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary Hearing on Establishing Consistent Enforcement Policies in the Context of Online Wagers, 110th Cong., Nov.
But there are several states where online gambling remains illegal while in-person gambling is allowed. Violating these laws could get you charged with a misdemeanor crime. If you are caught gambling online in one of these states, you could face time in jail or on probation.