Are Online Poker Games Legal?

The legality of online poker games is a bit of a gray area. While there are no federal lAWS that explicitly make it illegal to play online poker, there are some lAWS that could be interpreted as making it illegal.

The most notable of these is the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), which was passed in 2006. The UIGEA makes it illegal for financial institutions to process transactions related to online gambling, but it’s unclear if that applies to online poker specifically.

PRO TIP:When playing online poker, it is important to ensure that the game you are playing is legal in your jurisdiction. Before engaging in any online poker play, make sure to check the laws in your area to ensure that you are not violating any regulations.

There have been a few cases involving online poker players being charged with crimes, but none of them have resulted in convictions. In 2011, the Department of Justice shut down the three largest online poker sites operating in the US at the time: Full Tilt Poker, PokerStars, and Absolute Poker.

The DOJ alleged that these sites were violating the UIGEA, but no charges were ever filed against any of the individuals running the sites.

So, while there is no definitive answer to whether or not online poker games are legal, it seems unlikely that you would get in trouble for playing them. If you’re worried about breaking the law, you can always check with your local authorities to see if there are any lAWS in your jurisdiction that would make playing online poker illegal.