is online poker legal?

Answer 1

Here is a summary of what is going on with online gambling/poker in the United States.

1) Prior to the passing of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, eleven states had laws on the books that specifically ban all forms of online gambling. These states are: IL, IN, LA, MI, NJ, NV, NY, OR, SD, WA, WI. Online gambling continues to be considered illegal in these states by these state governments. (It should be noted that I have NEVER heard of any player in any of these states being prosecuted under these state laws.)

2) The Act did nothing to alter, curtail, or extend state laws regarding online gambling. Thus, it did not make online gambling illegal in all states.

3) The Act places restrictions on the financial transactions that occur in connection with online gambling; it restricts electronic fund transfers and the use of credit cards in connection with such wagering. This means that players can no longer make wagers, or collect winnings using electronic fund transfers, credit or debit cards, or some other online payment systems.

In response to the Act, online gambling sites have done one of three things with respect to US-based real-money players:
1) Continue to accept US-based real-money players from all states
2) Accept US-based real-money players from states other than the states in which online gambling is specifically outlawed (meaning no players from the states listed above)
3) Closed their site to all US-based real-money players

Here is a list of all gaming sites that continue to accept US-based real-money players from all states:
http://theonlinecasinogamblingdirectory.com/s.php?as_usa=1&SRC=YahooAnswers

Players that live outside of the restricted states (listed above) have more gaming sites available to them:
http://theonlinecasinogamblingdirectory.com/s.php?as_usa=2&SRC=YahooAnswers

And players outside of the United States have the most options available to them:
http://theonlinecasinogamblingdirectory.com/s.php?SRC=YahooAnswers

These lists are updated daily as gaming sites establish and publish their policy with respect to US-based real-money players.

Best of luck!
Robert

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Answer 2

This answer is not a simple yes or no, but a quite confusing maybe:

As a former online poker player with accounts and success on multiple sites, and a member of the pocketfives.com online forums, i have pretty extensive knowledge of this situation.

The online poker community was disgusted by the passage of the Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, on the final day of the congressional session before the elections in November. It was skulkilly inserted into the Safe Port Act, H.R. 4954, at the last minute, and signed by President Bush on October 13th.

This bill makes internet gambling illegal, and the Justice department has 9 months to come up with a plan for enforcing it.

Several major poker sites no longer allow customers who register or registered with American addresses to play on their sites. These include Party Poker and Paradise Poker.

Several other sites such as Poker Stars and Full Tilt Poker are still accepting business from Americans.

There are many legal issues that need to be clarified before a ban on Internet poker would take place, and you can still play online without officially breaking the law at this point.

One of the many legal issues is whether "Poker" is actually "Gambling." California state courts have already ruled that poker is NOT gambling and that Professional poker players are not gambling they are engaged in their chosen professions.

Of course, if your state specifically bans online poker by statute, you could not participate legally, but i've heard of no such laws in any state.

I've enjoyed online poker, and hope it remains legal in the US.

Answer 3

Have a look at this article: http://www.church-of-texas-holdem.com/online-gambling-ban.html

There's nothing illegal about online poker and in the rare exceptions, players are not about to be hauled off to jail. The war is with the poker operators, and it's mainly due to the taxes that the US government would like to collect on the money being made. So rest easy.

USA friendly sites here: http://www.church-of-texas-holdem.com/usa-friendly-poker-sites.html

Answer 4

Yes - very much so. 3 World Series of Poker tournament champions - Chris Moneymaker (2003), Greg Raymer (2004) and Joe Hachem (2005) choose only one online poker site - Poker Stars. PokerStars offers the largest poker tournaments and qualifies more players for the World Series of Poker, World Poker Tour and European Poker Tour than anywhere else. Download the free poker software now. Play with the champions and take your shot at online poker stardom.

US Players Accepted!

Click here to visit Poker Stars
http://www.casinotimes.co.uk/redirect/pokerstars.htm

Answer 5

All forms of gambling are illegal in the united states, exluding Indian reservation obviously, so wherever the online poker site let say head quarters are matter, most are out of the united states, to circumvent US Gaming and Gambling laws. Also dont worry you wont get in trouble if you play some illegal money bidding poker.

Answer 6

YES!!! poker online is still legal, many poker site are open to U.S players.

log on to my site, click on " online poker"

take care

Answer 7

1

Answer 8

if you are over 18 it is not it is if you are under 18

Answer 9

no not anymore in the United States.
Online gambling is illegal in the US. The law was passed a few months back.

Answer 10

No if money is involved and you live in the United States