While state laws vary, many online poker sites abide by similar regulations. In general, online poker sites must conduct all of their operations within state borders. Under federal law, such operations are prohibited. An ecosystem of software developers has emerged to serve online poker sites’ application-specific needs, including age verification, identity verification, and financial services. Other software includes anti-money laundering solutions, geolocation, and responsible gambling advocacy. However, no matter which software platform you choose, it is important to know the rules and regulations of online poker before playing for real money.
Opponents of online poker hoped that the new administration would listen to their concerns, but that hasn’t happened. In January, Attorney General Jeff Sessions cited the OLC opinion as “unusual” during his confirmation hearing, but stopped short of overturning it. Meanwhile, Vice President Mike Pence, a long-time opponent of online gambling, wrote to the Indiana congressional delegation urging them to support RAWA, which would make online poker legal in the state.
While online poker is incredibly popular around the world, not all states allow players from other states to play within their borders. US federal law prevents the transfer of funds for gambling over state borders, so operators must ensure players in the same state are playing at their online poker room. The biggest drawback to online poker in the US is that it is illegal to play poker in many states. Nevertheless, many states have legalized it and many online poker rooms now offer cash prizes.
In the US, online poker is legal in five states. Michigan joined the list of states on Nov. 4, while Pennsylvania and Delaware followed shortly after. In the future, BetMGM and Delaware will also go live in legal online poker. The US online poker market is dominated by WSOP/888 US, which currently accounts for the majority of traffic in the industry. So, online poker is legal in the US, but the future remains uncertain. If it is, it will be the biggest market for poker in the world.
The advantages of online poker are numerous. For one, the choice of game selections is unlimited, and online poker platforms offer more options than physical casinos. Players can also choose their preferred playing style and strategy. However, the rake in a physical casino is higher than the one in an online casino. Ultimately, the benefits of playing online poker are well worth the extra money. You can play poker online for free or for real money and enjoy a real poker experience.
While legal online poker is not a black and white issue in the US, it is still important to understand the ramifications of such legislation. Several states have already passed legislation allowing online poker and casino websites to operate. In 2017, West Virginia also passed a law legalizing online poker and casino gambling, though virtual hands have not yet been dealt. And it is possible that the US government will be one of the first states to regulate online poker.