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Legal Online Blackjack

Legal Status of Blackjack Online. Apart from the myth of Blackjack being illegal in the USA, there are no federal laws that prohibit you from playing 21 online. The biggest misinterpretation of the legality of Blackjack. At the moment, online blackjack is legal only in a few states — New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan. On the other hand, there are some states where online blackjack and other.

  • Online blackjack is indeed legal. Some states like New Jersey have online casinos that are regulated by the state specifically and are backed by a land-based operator. If you aren’t in one of these states.
  • Legal online blackjack is available to players in the Philippines as long as you know where to look. Gambling laws have made the local government licensed online gambling sites off limits to Filipino citizens; however there are not any laws on the books prohibiting players from accessing licensed online.

Blackjack is far and away the most popular casino game in the world. This is true at Pennsylvania’s brick and mortar casinos and should remain true when most PA online casinos begin going live starting on July 15.

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In fact, as long as PA online casinos offer blackjack under the same rules mandated at PA brick and mortar casinos, there will be as much action on the online tables as any live PA casino. While most games will be video, some sites are expected to offer online wagering with a live dealer streaming.

The reason for blackjack’s popularity has always been the fact it offers casino players the best chance to beat the house. The game has one of the lowest house edges players can find.

However, that’s especially true in PA where the rules for the game mandated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) lower that house edge even further.

The house edge for PA casino blackjack under PGCB rules is around .40 percent, giving the game a theoretical return to player rate (RTP) of 96.6 percent.

That means PA casinos return $96.60 of every $100 bet on blackjack back to players.

PA blackjack rules

Every PA brick and mortar casino employs the same blackjack rules mandated by the PGCB, including:

  • Blackjack pays 3:2
  • Dealer stands on soft 17
  • Double down on any two cards
  • Split up to three hands (except aces)
  • Double down after splits
  • Late surrender, allowing players to give up half the bet when the dealer doesn’t have blackjack

These rules combine to lower the house edge on PA blackjack, starting with the 3:2 payout on blackjack, which is decidedly better than the 6:5 paid at many casinos across the country. The difference on a $10 bet is $3 in winnings and that can add up fast.

Dealers standing rather than hitting on soft 17 (17 with an ace) also has an impact on the house edge. It may not happen all that often in a single session, but it is in the player’s favor when it does.

The rules allowing players to double down on any two cards and double after splitting up to three hands is an invitation to increase profits when you’re on a winning streak. Blackjack is such a streaky game and rules like this let you take advantage of that.

Finally, the late surrender rule employed in PA can be used to players’ advantages as well. It’s not the kind of rule that should be invoked too often. However, the ability to give up half a bet rather than hit or stand with bad cards when you are facing almost insurmountable odds reduces the house edge.

Blackjack

Alternative PA online blackjack games

The PGCB may allow PA online casinos to run online blackjack games with different rules than the ones it mandates at PA casinos.

Players need to be aware that even the smallest change in rules can have a dramatic effect on the game’s house edge, and adjust accordingly.

Possible alternative PA online blackjack games may include:

  • Vegas Blackjack (Only one card each on split aces)
  • Downtown Las Vegas Blackjack (Dealer draws on soft 17)
  • Atlantic City Blackjack (No re-splitting)
  • Single-Deck Blackjack (Uses only a single deck rather than a traditional eight-deck shoe)

Where to play Blackjack online in PA

All of the PA online casino sites planning to launch in 2021 should offer Blackjack. Here’s a list of PA online casino operations already approved by the PGCB:

  • Mount Airy/PokerStars
  • Stadium
Online blackjack legal california

Is blackjack better online?

When it comes to gameplay, there really isn’t that much difference between playing online or live blackjack. However, there are several reasons why playing blackjack at a PA online casino might be even better than doing it in person at a PA casino.

Firstly, it takes a lot less time to go online than it does to travel to a casino. Plus, changing seats and tables is a lot faster when all you have to do is click buttons. All that adds up to less time between hands and more hands played per hour online versus live play.

In fact, computer dealers are so much faster and more efficient than human beings there’s no doubt you’ll play more blackjack hands in an online session than you ever will live.

Is online blackjack rigged?

Since they can’t cut the cards or hold them in their hands the same way they do inside a brick and mortar casino, there are players who might think online blackjack in PA is somehow rigged. This is a complete fallacy.

Blackjack

The online casino blackjack games in PA are subject to rigorous testing by the PGCB, making them as safe and fair as any you’ll find at a PA casino.

The PGCB licenses and regulates PA online casinos. These operators aren’t about to risk fines, suspensions, or the loss of a license by rigging online blackjack games.

Plus, all PA online casinos are affiliated with brick and mortar casinos across the state or major US casino companies, ensuring a certain level of integrity. The names and reputations of some of the biggest players in the US gambling industry are riding on these online blackjack games and none are willing to risk that.

PA online casinos will use computerized random number generators to determine the outcome of each blackjack hand and these are subject to PGCB testing as well.

A random number generator essentially acts as a computer-based card shuffler. Security is in place at PA online casino sites to make sure the tech cannot be tampered with.

PA online blackjack strategy and counting cards

In order to take advantage of the low house edge offered by PA blackjack games, players need to learn and employ basic blackjack strategy.

Players can find cheat sheets online that can help anyone perfect a basic blackjack strategy. Essentially, it’s about making the best odds play. You hit when the timing is right and stand when it’s not.

Cheat sheets provide information regarding every player holding and dealer up card. Players that study and use this information will ensure the true house edge for blackjack is realized. Making mistakes or deviating from basic strategy gives the house its edge back.

Card counting has long been the most effective way to win at Blackjack. Plus, it is a good way to get barred by casinos across the country. It’s not illegal, but casinos don’t want you to do it.

In fact, many now employ continuous shuffle machines at Blackjack games to prevent card counting.

The random number generators that determine the outcome of blackjack games act the same way as continuous shuffle machines. Each card dealt is independent of the one before it. It’s all random, making it impossible to keep a count and rendering card counting methods useless.

Is it legal to play online blackjack for money in your state? Find out below as we double-down on our state by state coverage, providing a clear and legal path to online 21 success. We’ve prepared a detailed analysis of each state’s online blackjack laws and will provide our recommendations for the best tables to play a hand of 21.

With a wide variety of blackjack options available to US gamblers, it's tough to decide which avenues to take to stay on the right side of the law. Whether you want to play standard rules, alternate rules, or you want to use a live dealer blackjack games online for a casino-like experience, we'll cover the legalities of each, and if it's within the boundaries of the law to participate in your home state.

Online Blackjack Laws In The United States (USA)

It is legal to play blackjack online for money in the USA, and bettors in almost all states have some form on online options available to them. Although some states have regulated their own online blackjack casinos, the Federal Wire Act prevents the transfer of money across state lines for the purposes of gambling, therefore excluding anyone located outside of that state.

Online players located in the remainder of the United States have the option of using an offshore casino operating online, such as the sites you see featured on this website. There are no laws on the books that prohibit the wagering of money at a regulated online blackjack casino operating legally offshore. Also, our recommended offshore blackjack casinos offer membership beginning at 18 years of age, a real advantage of state-regulated casinos that require bettors to be 21.

The U.S. States That Allow Domestic Online Blackjack

There are a few states that currently allow state-licensed online casinos, including online blackjack games. To be honest, we expected this list to grow a lot faster than it has. The specific BJ games vary from state to state and site to site, but players do have a decent range of options for real money online blackjack.

States Currently Offering Domestic Online Blackjack Games

  • Delaware
  • New Jersey
  • Pennsylvania

States Where the Launch of Domestic Online Blackjack is Pending

  • Michigan
  • West Virginia

States With Pending Online Blackjack Legislation

There are not any states currently attempting to pass legislation to allow domestic online casino gambling, but legal online blackjack casinos are legally accessible from most US states.

Which States Allow Offshore Online Blackjack Games?

There are only a few states that outright prohibit online gambling, regardless of the source as is explained in the section directly below this paragraph. However, there are no state laws prohibiting 18+ residents from playing blackjack online in the other 48 states. So unless you are in CT or WA, you can legally enjoy real money blackjack games online at any of the US-friendly, online casinos you see listed in our guide. The online casino brands available to players may vary from state to state, but nearly every state has some great options.

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut*
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois

Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana

Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania

Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington*
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

States Where Online Blackjack Is Against The Law

Connecticut and Washington have passed legislation that prohibits all forms of online gambling. Although we have yet to hear of any investigations or charges being brought against anyone for online gambling, it is still best to be informed of your state’s online wagering laws.

States With Mobile Blackjack

The few states that have ventured into state-regulated online casino gambling also recognize the popularity of mobile gaming. If they haven't already, they will be launching mobile blackjack gaming in the very near future.

For all players not located in NJ, PA, or DE, our recommended online casinos offer web apps that provide an app-like gaming experience through the use of a mobile web browser. Through responsive design on sophisticated, web-based mobile applications, the user interface renders perfectly to the screen dimensions on most mobile device screens and offers the solid gameplay of a downloaded app while providing heightened security levels that only a web-based application can provide. Betting on the go can be easy with our top-rated online blackjack casinos.

States With Live Dealer Online Blackjack

A popular feature that online casinos utilize to provide an interactive blackjack experience is to offer live dealer tables. As of this writing, several state-regulated online blackjack sites are working on integrating this technology into their interface.

Most of our recommended online casinos already offer Live Dealer online blackjack games, facilitated through advanced web streaming technology and advanced, feature-rich gaming environments. These live dealer games provide a chat function to allow for player-to-dealer communication. There's nothing quite like a live dealer, and playing live 21 online can ensure a realistic setting for optimum gambling. Its the perfect blend of online and face to face gaming.

FAQs About Playing Online Blackjack in My State

If my state doesn't have any casinos, is it illegal for me to play blackjack online?

Unless you live in CT or WA, the answer is no. In fact, the fact that you don't have any other casino gambling entertainment available in your state makes online blackjack ideal for you. Most states, whether they offer brick and mortar casinos or not, have not addressed offshore online casino gambling in any way. There are not any US federal gambling laws that make it a crime for US residents to play blackjack online, so outside of the two previously mentioned states, you don't have to worry that you're violating any gambling laws by playing blackjack online.

Why don't all states offer domestic online blackjack?

Online Blackjack For Money

Even though the DOJ re-interpreted the Federal Wire Act back in 2011 to allow individuals states to license state-regulated online casino gambling, most states and lawmakers simply haven't done anything with this newfound freedom. The good news is that US players still have options to legally and safely play real money bj games online through our recommended online casinos.

What is the minimum legal gambling age for playing blackjack online in the US?

The answer to this question varies from state to state. More than half of US states allow real money blackjack games at their land-based casinos, and at least 10 of these states allow players 18 and up, while the remainder requires players to be 21 and up. If you click on your state from the menu on the right (coming soon) you will find that information there for individual states.

The few states that have launched domestic online casinos have established a minimum legal gambling age of 21 in order to play real money games. The premium online casinos you see featured on this site accept players who are 18 and up.

Where can I play blackjack online without leaving my state?

Blackjack Gambling Sites

More than half of US states offer real money blackjack games at brick and mortar casinos and card rooms, so you've got a 50/50 chance that your state has some kind of option for playing 21. For those who are not in the lucky 50%, or those who would still have to travel too far to reach one of the available casinos, legal online blackjack sites are a great option. Not only do you not have to leave the state to enjoy online 21 games, but you also don't have to leave the house.