Online poker is a topic that has generated a lot of controversy in the United States, with different states having different regulations governing online gambling. One such state is Washington, where online poker legality has been the subject of much debate and discussion.
Before we delve into whether online poker is legal in Washington State or not, it is important to understand the legal framework surrounding online gambling in general. In 2006, the United States Congress passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), which made it illegal for banks and financial institutions to process transactions related to online gambling. However, this law did not make online gambling itself illegal.
Now let’s talk about Washington State specifically. In 2006, the state passed a law called the Washington Internet Gambling Act (WIGA), which made it illegal for anyone to gamble online within state borders. This law specifically Targeted online poker and other casino-style games, and was meant to protect residents from fraudulent websites and unregulated operators.
Under WIGA, playing online poker for real money in Washington State is considered a Class C felony offense. This means that if you are caught playing on an unregulated site or participating in any form of unauthorized online gambling activity, you could face serious legal consequences.
However, it is worth noting that there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, some forms of social or charitable gambling are allowed under Washington State law. Additionally, there are some regulated sites that offer online poker games to players residing in Washington State.
The main site offering regulated online poker games in Washington State is PlayWSOP.com. This site is operated by Caesars Interactive Entertainment and offers players access to both free-to-play and real money games. It is important to note that players must be physically located within state borders in order to access these games.
In addition to PlayWSOP.com, there are also offshore sites that offer real money online poker games to players in Washington State. However, these sites operate outside of the United States and are not regulated by any US state or federal agency. As a result, players who choose to play on these sites do so at their own risk.
In conclusion, while online poker is technically illegal in Washington State under WIGA, there are some exceptions and regulated options available to players. It is important for players to do their research and only play on reputable sites that are licensed and regulated by a legitimate authority. Players should also be aware of the potential legal consequences of participating in unauthorized online gambling activities.
