UIGEA meaning: the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (31 U.S.C. §§ 5361–5367) bars gambling businesses from knowingly accepting card payments, bank transfers, checks and similar payments tied to unlawful internet gambling. It doesn't make any bet illegal by itself, and it doesn't make placing a bet a federal crime for the player.
UIGEA is a payments law aimed at gambling businesses, not at individual players.
It borrows its idea of 'unlawful' from other federal and state law, so state law still decides.
Credit, electronic transfers, checks and other designated payments are covered.
State-authorized intrastate wagers, tribal gaming under IGRA and qualifying fantasy sports are excluded.
It's the legal background to many US card declines at offshore casinos.
Full name
Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act
Year
2006
Citation
31 U.S.C. §§ 5361–5367
Who it restricts
Businesses engaged in betting or wagering
Makes betting illegal?
No; relies on other federal or state law
Player crime?
No federal crime for placing a bet
UIGEA meaning: what the law actually does
UIGEA is the 2006 federal law that went after the money flowing to illegal online gambling. The central rule, in 31 U.S.C. § 5363 (opens in a new tab), says a person engaged in the business of betting or wagering may not knowingly accept certain payments in connection with someone else's participation in unlawful internet gambling.
Notice who is restricted: the gambling business. Nothing in that section makes the player's bet a federal crime. Notice too what isn't defined there: whether a particular bet is unlawful. That comes from other law, which is why the same online casino can be treated differently from one state to the next. Related terms sit in our casino glossary, and the longer UIGEA law page goes clause by clause.
Which payments UIGEA covers
Payment types a gambling business can't knowingly accept for unlawful internet gambling
Electronic fund transfers or funds via a money transmitting business
A bank transfer or a payment app transfer
Checks, drafts or similar instruments through a financial institution
A paper check or bank draft
Other transactions designated by Treasury and the Federal Reserve
Set out in regulations
The detailed bank rules that put these limits into practice sit in federal regulations, often called Regulation GG; their details aren't covered here. What players notice is the effect: card issuers apply their own policies to gambling transactions. Gambling purchases carry merchant category code 7995, and third-party industry sources report that many issuers decline that code by default or treat credit card gambling as a cash advance with fees. See MCC 7995 and card declines.
What 'unlawful internet gambling' means under UIGEA
Under § 5362(10) (opens in a new tab), unlawful internet gambling means placing, receiving or transmitting a bet at least partly over the internet where it's unlawful under federal or state law in the state where the bet is made or received. The routing of data through other places doesn't decide where a bet is made.
What UIGEA excludes
Intrastate wagers authorized by state law, with age and location verification, such as state-licensed online casinos.
Say a player in a state that doesn't license online casinos tries a $200 credit card deposit at an offshore casino. Section 5363 is directed at the casino: it bars the business from knowingly accepting that credit in connection with unlawful internet gambling. Separately, the player's card issuer may decline the $200 charge under its own policy on code 7995, or post it as a cash advance with fees, as third-party sources report.
Now take a $200 deposit at a state-licensed online casino in Michigan or New Jersey, with age and location checks. That falls under UIGEA's intrastate exclusion, because the state's law authorizes it. The difference isn't the payment method; it's whether the bet is lawful where it's made.
If a casino card deposit is declined, don't retry repeatedly or misdescribe the purchase to your bank.
Check whether your state licenses online casinos; in most states it doesn't.
Read your card issuer's terms on gambling transactions and cash advance fees.
Don't switch payment methods just to get around a decline; treat the block as a prompt to check the law and your budget.
UIGEA vs the Wire Act and the Illegal Gambling Business Act
Three federal gambling laws compared
Law
Targets
Key idea
Wire Act of 1961 (18 U.S.C. § 1084)
Betting businesses using wires
Sports bets and betting information, per the First Circuit
Illegal Gambling Business Act (18 U.S.C. § 1955)
Gambling businesses
Five or more people, breaking state law, 30+ days or $2,000 in a day
UIGEA of 2006 (31 U.S.C. §§ 5361–5367)
Gambling businesses accepting payments
No cards, transfers or checks for unlawful internet gambling
Offshore casino offers via our links, and what UIGEA means for them
UIGEA applies to any gambling business accepting payments for unlawful internet gambling, and none of our partners is a better or worse fit for this topic; we list the assigned three for readers comparing options. All are offshore casinos, not licensed or regulated by any US state, so there's no state regulator to complain to and no state protection of balances. US card payments to them may be declined. Check your state's law first.
Royal Ace Casino: $2,500 Welcome Bonus + 35 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply). Royal Ace's terms aren't confirmed on its own site; third-party reviews disagree (200% up to $4,000 at 30x on slots and 60x on blackjack and video poker with a max cashout of 10x the deposit, versus 250% up to $2,500 + 35 spins). See the Royal Ace review.
Slot Madness Casino: $2,500 Welcome Bonus + 50 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply). Slot Madness's terms come only from third-party reviews, which report a 275% match up to $2,750 with a $30 minimum, 30x (bonus + deposit) wagering on slots and no max cashout, though one source calls the match unlimited. Michigan's regulator named Slot Madness in an August 14, 2025 release (opens in a new tab). See the Slot Madness review.
SlotoCash Casino: $6,000 Welcome Bonus + 60 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply). The casino's own bonus terms describe a different package, $7,777 + 300 spins over five deposits, with 25x (deposit + bonus) wagering, a $20 minimum deposit per bonus, no max cashout and play limited to slots, keno and scratch cards. Michigan named SlotoCash in an October 8, 2026 release (opens in a new tab). See the SlotoCash review.
Bonuses are slot-focused, table games are often excluded or weighted lower, and the terms shown at sign-up apply.
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These are offshore casinos, not licensed by any US state, and your card issuer may block payments to them. Check your state's law first; new players 21+ (18+ where allowed), terms apply.
Royal Ace Casino#6 on our listSlots and specialty games
Published terms (reported): Third-party reviews disagree on the package (200% up to $4,000, or 250% up to $2,500 + 35 spins); the casino site could not be checked directly. Eligible games: Slots and specialty games (reported).
Who runs it: License not shown; third parties report Costa Rica or none. Regulator notes: Third parties report it does not accept Ohio players.
21+ (18+ where allowed). New players. Min deposit $30 (reported). Wagering 30x deposit + bonus on slots (reported). Max cashout: 10x deposit (reported). Withdrawal cap $2,500 / week (reported). Terms source: reported. Terms apply. Offer checked October 28, 2026.
Published terms (reported): Third-party reviews report a 275% match up to $2,750 with code MAD275; the casino site could not be checked directly. Eligible games: Slots and keno (reported).
Who runs it: License not shown; third parties report Anjouan, Costa Rica or none. Regulator notes: Named in a Michigan Gaming Control Board cease-and-desist release, August 14, 2025.
21+ (18+ where allowed). New players. Min deposit $30 (reported). Wagering 30x deposit + bonus (reported). Max cashout: None (reported). Withdrawal cap $2,500 / week (reported). Terms source: reported. Terms apply. Offer checked October 28, 2026.
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Published terms (casino terms): SlotoCash advertises up to $7,777 + 300 spins over five deposits on its own site. Eligible games: Slots, keno and scratch cards (progressive jackpots excluded).
Who runs it: License not shown on its site; reported as a Deckmedia N.V. brand (Curaçao). Regulator notes: Named in a Michigan Gaming Control Board cease-and-desist release, October 8, 2026.
21+ (18+ where allowed). New players. Min deposit $20 per bonus. Wagering 25x deposit + bonus. Max cashout: None stated. Withdrawal cap $5,000 / week. Terms source: casino terms. Terms apply. Offer checked October 28, 2026.
These casinos are offshore operators. They are not licensed or regulated by any US state, and state consumer protections do not apply. Check the law in your state before you play. Terms marked “reported” come from third-party reviews; the terms shown at sign-up apply.
21+ (18+ where allowed). Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: responsible gambling tools and free help. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738).
Frequently asked questions
What does UIGEA stand for?
UIGEA stands for the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, a 2006 federal law codified at 31 U.S.C. §§ 5361–5367. It bars businesses engaged in betting or wagering from knowingly accepting credit, electronic fund transfers, checks and other designated payments connected with unlawful internet gambling. It's a payments law, not a ban on any game. Our UIGEA law page explains each section in more detail.
Does UIGEA make online gambling illegal?
No. UIGEA doesn't itself make any form of gambling illegal. It defines unlawful internet gambling by reference to other federal or state law in the place where the bet is made, then restricts payments to businesses offering it. Whether online casino play is lawful where you live depends on your state. Seven states license online casinos. See states with legal online casinos.
Is it illegal for me to play under UIGEA?
UIGEA doesn't make placing a bet a federal crime for the player; its restrictions are aimed at gambling businesses that accept payments. Your own state's law is what applies to you, and state laws differ widely, so read what yours says rather than relying on federal rules. Our answer on whether it's illegal to play at offshore casinos walks through the state picture.
Why was my credit card declined at an online casino?
Often because of your card issuer's own policy on gambling transactions. Gambling purchases carry merchant category code 7995, and third-party sources report that many issuers decline that code by default or treat it as a cash advance with fees. UIGEA is the legal background, since it restricts gambling businesses from accepting cards for unlawful internet gambling. See why was my credit card declined.
Does UIGEA apply to crypto?
The statute lists credit, electronic fund transfers, funds through money transmitting businesses, checks and other designated transactions; how each applies to a given crypto payment is a technical legal question this entry doesn't settle. Crypto also carries its own risks: the FTC says crypto payments generally can't be reversed. Read is Bitcoin safe for casinos before using it.
What does UIGEA exclude?
UIGEA excludes intrastate wagers authorized by state law with age and location checks, intratribal wagers authorized under IGRA, activity under the Interstate Horseracing Act, securities and insurance deals, games risking nothing of value beyond effort or free sponsor credits, and fantasy sports that meet the statute's conditions. Under those exclusions, state-authorized intrastate wagers aren't unlawful internet gambling for UIGEA purposes. See daily fantasy sports laws.
Is online casino gambling legal in Pennsylvania under UIGEA?
Yes, state-licensed online casino play in Pennsylvania falls inside UIGEA’s intrastate exclusion, because state law authorizes it with age and location checks. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s list dated February 13, 2026 shows 12 certificate holders and 25 authorized online casino brands. That exclusion covers those licensed sites only. An offshore casino taking bets from a Pennsylvania player isn’t licensed by the board, so it doesn’t gain the same footing under UIGEA. Our Pennsylvania online casinos hub lists what the state permits, and state regulators covers the other licensing states.
Did UIGEA change the Wire Act?
No, UIGEA did not change the Wire Act’s scope, according to the Justice Department’s 2018 Office of Legal Counsel opinion. The two laws work side by side: the Wire Act of 1961 deals with betting businesses using wire communications, while UIGEA, passed in 2006, deals with the payments those businesses accept. The 2011 opinion that limited the Wire Act to sports had found it unnecessary to address UIGEA at all. For how courts later read the Wire Act, see our Wire Act law page and the shorter Wire Act glossary entry.
Does UIGEA require my bank to block gambling payments?
UIGEA’s central rule is aimed at gambling businesses, which may not knowingly accept the listed payments for unlawful internet gambling. The detailed rules for banks and payment systems sit in federal regulations often called Regulation GG, which this entry doesn’t cover in detail. What players see day to day is each card issuer’s own policy: third-party industry sources report that many issuers block gambling code 7995 by default or treat credit card gambling as a cash advance. Our can banks block gambling answer and credit card gambling blocks guide go further.
Does UIGEA apply to sweepstakes casinos?
UIGEA doesn’t answer that directly, and this entry doesn’t settle it. The law excludes games where players risk nothing of value beyond their effort or free sponsor credits, which covers pure play-money social casinos. Dual-currency sweepstakes casinos, which sell Gold Coins and give away Sweeps Coins, have instead been tackled at state level. New York, New Jersey, California, Connecticut, Montana, Louisiana, Maine, Indiana, Tennessee and Oklahoma have all passed bans that took effect between 2025 and November 2026. See sweepstakes casino bans for each state’s date and bill number.
Can UIGEA help me get money back from an offshore casino?
No, UIGEA gives players no refund or complaint route. It restricts what gambling businesses may accept; it doesn’t create a claim for a player whose withdrawal stalls or whose account is closed. Offshore casinos aren’t licensed by any US state, so there is no state regulator to step in either. Your practical options are the casino’s own complaint process, any license holder’s complaint channel, and, for card deposits, asking your issuer about a dispute. Our can I get my money back from a casino answer covers each route.
Does UIGEA change how gambling winnings are taxed?
No, UIGEA is a payments law and says nothing about tax. Gambling winnings are taxable federal income whether they come from a state-licensed site, a retail casino or an offshore casino. Forms W-2G report certain larger wins, and from tax year 2026 the loss deduction is reported to be capped at 90% of losses under the 2025 tax law, so check IRS guidance before filing. Keep your own records of deposits, wins and losses. Our gambling taxes page explains the rules, and the W-2G entry covers the form itself.
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