Online poker is a popular form of gambling in the United States. It allows you to play against other players from around the world. While it may not be quite as entertaining as playing in a live poker room, it can be a great way to pass the time and maybe make some money along the way.
However, it is important to keep in mind that online poker is not entirely legal. In fact, it is illegal for banks in the United States to handle payments related to online gambling. That being said, it is not impossible to find websites that will accept US customers. You just need to be willing to deal with some regulatory hurdles.
The federal government has done its part to push the biggest global online poker sites out of the US market. Several of these sites have been accused of money laundering or banking fraud. Some have even been shut down. One of the most prominent setbacks was the UIGEA, which made it illegal for banks to process transactions with offshore online poker sites.
Although it did not make the list of federal laws, the UIGEA did have a significant impact on online poker. A number of unlicensed gaming venues have closed their doors, leaving players in the dark. Additionally, the United States Department of Justice seized the domain names of some of the most popular poker websites, including PokerStars and Full Tilt.
As a result, the US Senate had to decide whether or not it was worth taking a gander at a law that regulated online poker. It took a lot of convincing to convince the Senate to even consider the idea, but they finally approved legislation in October 2017. Since then, there have been several state-regulated and legalized poker sites to choose from. They are overseen by the Professional Gambling Control Board.
There is no denying that there is a huge potential market for legal and regulated online poker in the United States. But the real challenge is navigating the pitfalls of regulatory and licensing hurdles. Fortunately, there are a few states that have gotten the online poker ball rolling, most notably Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware.
To get started with online poker, you need to sign up for an account and download the software. The site will usually ask for your full name, date of birth, address and social security number. Depending on the poker site, you may also be asked to provide additional documentation to verify your identity.
For the most part, you’ll find that online poker has come a long way since the early days of the 1990s. Many sites now offer a wide variety of game formats, from the traditional cash game to multi-table tournaments, and you can play on your computer or mobile device. At higher stakes, you can even play against people from other states, although you may have to wait a while to see your winnings.