Is It Legal To Play Poker Online In The US?

Is It Legal To Play Poker Online In The US?

Poker players from across the United States can enjoy playing real money Texas Hold’em and other popular poker games with online poker sites. A number of networks have ventured ahead and offer a number of variations on both cash games and tournaments. All major card rooms are fully licensed and meet stringent US gambling laws and regulations.

Poker is one of the most popular card games played around the world today. The game has been studied by scientists as one that stimulates both sides of your brain as you must think strategically while also managing some innate intuition as you attempt to predict what cards your opponent is holding.

The US has been a big market for poker players who frequent brick and mortar establishments as well as those who play online from the comfort of their own homes. The majority of cash games have been played in Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware which have all made great strides to legalize real money poker throughout the state.

There are a number of poker sites that offer real money play on a worldwide basis and accepting US players is amongst the most popular. The majority of cash games and tournaments are hosted by iPoker, PokerStars, and PartyPoker as they offer unrivaled software for both Macs and PCs alike.

How to Play Poker Online

Players are able to deposit cash at the poker room of their choice with a number of different payment processors. Visa, MasterCard, Neteller, Moneybookers, and Person2Person all offer safe and secure ways to transact money for real money players. You can use the bet365 bonus code no deposit to get started.

It has become increasingly more popular in recent years for sites like Poker Stars and PartyPoker to offer their own poker room by not finding third-party networks. Black Chip Poker and True Poker are two of the most notable new rooms which have stepped up to compete with the market leaders.

Unfortunately, some players attempt to bypass these payment processors and opt for prepaid cards such as MoneyPak and Vanilla Reload. These methods may carry a number of fees and players often face long times for receiving their funds. The US Department of Justice has been proactive in shutting down poker sites that have an affiliation with MoneyPak or Vanilla Reload. We recommend using a safe and reputable site to play online poker in the United States.

Online Games Security and Fair Play

Online poker rooms have been vigilant in maintaining a safe and secure environment for people to play games. The majority of networks use the latest 128-bit encryption technology which is considered good enough to protect even the government’s sensitive data.

As online poker has picked up steam over the past decade, US players have become increasingly more savvy at playing this game. In order to combat the increased level of play, poker sites have implemented a number of strategies which include instant hand history review and sophisticated player tracking.

The majority of online poker rooms are independently audited by companies like eCOGRA who ensure that all games are fair and random. You can check your favorite room at this site to see what they have been certified for. You can also check out a list of the most trusted poker sites here.

When it comes down to black and white, you cannot legally play poker online in the US as this falls under gambling which is a federal crime. There are some gray areas as you can freely bet on horse races or play fantasy sports as these are classified as contests of skill.

Online Poker Payouts

When it comes to cashing out from online poker rooms, you have two options which include check and wire transfer. The majority of sites will pay a player within seven business days as they do not want to carry a large amount of cash on hand.

It is worth noting that some players have been burned by their room going under before receiving payment. WSOP.com is one site that fell apart before players were paid, but they have since been bought out by Harrah’s who has made good on all cashouts to date.

The legality of online poker in the US is up for interpretation as this game falls under gambling statutes. However, there are no federal laws that make it illegal to play poker in a private setting. As a result, the Department of Justice has been going after sites that offer games to US players because they are based outside of the country and consider themselves exempt from these laws.

Final Thoughts

There are still a number of US players who enjoy participating in online poker. Because there are no federal laws that prohibit this game, it has become difficult for the Department of Justice to shut down sites that cater to American audiences. We recommend keeping informed on current events related to online gambling and checking up on your favorite site before playing real money games.

Lee Parker

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