If you’re a fan of online poker, you may have heard of the site Poker King. But if you’re based in the US, you might be wondering whether it’s legal to play on this site. In this article, we’ll explore the legality of Poker King in the US and what you need to know before signing up.
Firstly, it’s important to note that online gambling is a complex and constantly evolving area of law. The legal status of online poker varies from state to state and is influenced by federal law as well. So, while we can provide some general guidance on the situation with Poker King, it’s important to bear in mind that this is not legal advice and you should always do your own research and consult a lawyer if necessary.
With that said, let’s take a closer look at Poker King and its legality in the US.
Poker King is an online poker site that was established in 2010. It operates under a license from the government of Curacao and is owned by a company called Winning Poker Network. The site offers a range of poker games, including Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Seven Card Stud.
So, is it legal for players based in the US to play on Poker King? The answer is not straightforward.
As we mentioned earlier, online gambling laws vary from state to state. Some states have explicitly legalized online poker and other forms of online gambling, while others have explicitly banned it.
At the federal level, there is no specific law that prohibits online gambling or playing poker over the internet. However, there are several federal laws that could potentially be applied to online gambling activities.
One such law is the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), which was passed in 2006 as part of a broader piece of legislation called the Safe Port Act. The UIGEA does not make it illegal for individuals to gamble over the internet but instead Targets financial institutions that facilitate online gambling transactions.
Under the UIGEA, banks and other financial institutions are prohibited from processing payments related to online gambling activities. This means that players may encounter difficulties when trying to deposit or withdraw funds from their accounts on Poker King or other online gambling sites.
It’s worth noting that not all banks and payment processors take a hardline stance on this issue. Some will process online gambling transactions without issue, while others may block them. So, whether you’re able to use your preferred payment method on Poker King will depend on a range of factors, including your location, the policies of your bank or payment processor, and so on.
In terms of state law, the situation with online poker in the US is complex. As of 2021, there are only a handful of states that have explicitly legalized online poker and other forms of online gambling. These include New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Nevada, and Michigan.
If you’re based in one of these states, you should be able to legally play on Poker King (although you should still check with a lawyer if you have any doubts). However, if you’re based in a state where online poker is explicitly banned (such as Washington state), then playing on Poker King could be illegal.
For players based in states where the legal status of online poker is unclear or ambiguous (such as California), it’s important to do your own research and seek legal advice if necessary. Some operators choose to operate in these grey areas by arguing that their servers are located offshore or by using other legal loopholes. However, this can be risky for both operators and players alike.
In conclusion, the question of whether Poker King is legal in the US is not a straightforward one. The site operates under a license from Curacao and does accept players from some US states. However, whether it’s legal for you to play on this site will depend on a range of factors including your location, state law, and federal law.
If you’re considering playing on Poker King or any other online poker site, it’s important to do your own research and seek legal advice if necessary. While online poker can be a fun and potentially lucrative pastime, it’s always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to the law.
