So is it legal to play poker online? Well that question can only be answered in accordance to where you live. There are some Countries where gambling in any form is illegal. When it comes to the USA however, it has become quite a controversial question in the last little while.
To begin with as far as anyone knows there is no law that says online gambling is illegal in the USA. Although some states have set some laws restricting it. The big guns though being the Government have presented a bill that prevents financial institutions from funding gambling activities. So if a player has no means of funding then its pretty difficult to play.
What seems to have angered most USA citizens that enjoy online Poker is that their Government does not give them credit for being able to participate in responsible gaming. In addition to this the other Countries involved in World Trade are not impressed either. In fact the USA has already been sued over the matter, and settled out of Court.
When the bill was first introduced many of the online Poker sites closed their membership to USA players. Several have since invited them back with some options for depositing opening up.
There are those within the Government themselves that feel that is a unfair and poorly regulated bill. It is not concise and rather confusing.
Online poker is a game that is enjoyed in numerous Countries. Its apparent that those countries that have opened their doors to online Poker don’t seem to be having any great issues. Most of the sites on the internet offering Online Poker are reputable and very well regulated sites. The UK has a white list for Casinos for example that must meet the most stringent rules in order to be able to advertise there.
Many individuals feel that the Government has acted out in trying to outlaw online poker and gaming in general in order to protect the on land casinos. It would seem the concern is that the on land casinos are losing revenue because so many people can gamble from home. It makes one wonder if the underlying factor here is that the Government is losing a great deal in taxes with the reduced revenues of the on land casinos?
