Online poker is a game that offers real cash wagering from the comfort of your home. Many people play poker to earn money by putting bets on the game or just for the thrill of winning big. But is this activity legal? It depends on where you live and the state laws that govern it. This article will take a look at the legal status of online poker in the United States and provide you with information that may help you make an informed decision about whether or not to play this popular card game.
The current legal, regulated landscape for online poker is fragmented across the country. While a few states have passed legislation permitting and regulating the game within their borders, the vast majority of players still participate on offshore sites. Many of these sites find creative ways to circumvent the banking issues created by UIGEA and continue to accept US players.
Despite these hurdles, the market has shown remarkable resilience in recent years. Revenues from online poker have grown significantly, and the market is expected to reach $4 billion by 2021. As a result, several states are looking to add poker to their list of permitted online gambling activities.
With the exception of Nevada and Delaware, all legal regulated online poker sites are located in just six states. Several more are hoping to join the fold, but it will be a slow process. Creating a viable regulated market for poker will require state legislatures to approve licenses and establish player pools that are big enough to support sustainable growth. State officials also need to figure out how to share revenues with tribal casinos that have long blocked online gaming expansion.
As the market grows, we will continue to update this article with major news and legislative progress. In the meantime, we recommend bookmarking this page and checking back often to keep up with the latest developments.
After Black Friday, a handful of states passed legislation to permit and regulate online poker. The first to do so was Nevada, which launched its regulated site a year later. Then came Delaware, followed by New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It took a while for those markets to mature, but now the momentum appears to be shifting.
One issue that could slow down the progress of regulated online poker is the federal Wire Act, which prohibits the transmission of information related to sports betting. However, a ruling in a case brought by the New Hampshire state lottery suggests that the act is limited to sports betting, and that it does not apply to other games of chance such as online poker.
With that in mind, the future looks bright for regulated online poker in the United States. The pace of progress may be slow, but there is an opportunity for momentum to pick up as more states move towards a unified ring-fenced poker market. Considering the massive revenue potential of this industry, it seems inevitable that more states will eventually legalize the product.