Collecting bets over any means like phone or internet is in violation of the wire act, which exists for decades.
No its not. They couldnt get the votes to update the act to include the Internet.
Whoever being engaged in the business of betting or wagering knowingly uses a wire communication facility for the transmission in interstate or foreign commerce of bets or wagers or information assisting in the placing of bets or wagers on any sporting event or contest, or for the transmission of a wire communication which entitles the recipient to receive money or credit as a result of bets or wagers, or for information assisting in the placing of bets or wagers, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.
The argument is the internet isn’t a Wired Communication (its digital). As well, when passed in 1961 the Internet didnt exist. So there is no way it could have been included into the Act. All the UGEIA did was make the Banks and Processors accountable for the transmission of funds.