Poker has been a popular game in the United States for decades. However, with the legal status of online poker in the US being a bit of a gray area, many people are left wondering if there are any legal poker sites they can play on.
Firstly, it is important to understand the legal background of online poker in the US. In 2006, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) was passed, making it illegal for financial institutions to process payments related to online gambling. This essentially shut down most online poker sites operating in the US.
However, in 2011, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued an opinion stating that the UIGEA only applied to sports betting and not to other forms of online gambling such as poker. This opened up opportunities for states to legalize and regulate online poker within their borders.
Currently, there are four states that have legalized and regulated online poker: Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. These states have licensed operators that offer legal and safe online poker options for players within their borders.
In Nevada, players can play on WSOP.com or Real Gaming. In Delaware, players can play on Delaware Park Online or Dover Downs Online Gaming.
In New Jersey, players can play on PokerStars NJ, PartyPoker NJ or Borgata Poker. In Pennsylvania, players can play on PokerStars PA or BetMGM.
It is worth noting that while these sites may be legal within their respective states’ borders, it is still illegal to play on them if you are located outside of those states. Additionally, these sites must follow strict regulations to ensure fair play and protect player information.
Outside of these four states where online poker is explicitly legal and regulated by state law, there are still some options for playing online poker legally in the US. These include sweepstakes-based poker sites such as Global Poker and Chumba Casino which operate under a different legal framework.
It is important to note that playing on offshore poker sites, which are not licensed or regulated by any US state, is illegal and risky. These sites often have no oversight and can be prone to fraud or other issues that can put players’ money and personal information at risk.
In conclusion, while the legality of online poker in the US may be a bit convoluted, there are legal options available for players within certain states. It is important to only play on licensed and regulated sites within your state’s borders to ensure safety and compliance with the law.
