Federal law has not been passed on Internet gambling yet, but there are plans to pass it. Republican Congressman Joe Barton plans to introduce legislation to legalize online poker. Democratic Senator Harry Reid is also collaborating with Nevada Republican Senator Dean Heller to pass legislation that would legalize online gambling. However, before a federal law is passed, states must ensure that their laws are uniform. After all, states will want to generate revenue, and no one wants to be left out.

The popularity of online gambling has increased since the 1990s. By 1998, there were over one hundred and fifty online gambling websites. According to a Frost & Sullivan report, online gambling revenues were $830 million that year. In the same year, the first online poker rooms appeared on the Internet. A bill was introduced in the US Senate in 1999 that would have banned online gambling for U.S. citizens. However, since these online sites have become widely available and more popular, Congress and the Department of Justice have been looking at how to regulate them.

The rise of mobile gambling has also fueled online gambling. With the proliferation of smartphones and internet connections, more people are spending their time online and participating in casino games. The growing incidence of gambling-related problems has also intensified regulatory scrutiny of online gambling. As a result, wagering volume on mobile devices is growing at a 20% annual clip in Europe, and is expected to surpass computer-based gambling revenues within three years.