Online Poker: Why location matters

 Online Poker: The importance of location

Online Gambling has become a billion-dollar business in the United States. Poker is no different. However, online poker is not allowed in every state because of the laws in each one. As a result, gaming operators are required to meet strict identification, geolocation, player identification and other requirements. This blog will cover the history and legality of online gambling.

What is Online Poker?

Poker is one of most well-known card games. It is a simple game that involves betting on the cards you are dealt and other players bet on their hands. As tokens or value, chips are used to play wagers.

Poker nuance involves more than simply taking mental notes of cards in your hand. It also includes cards being played by other players and cards that have been discarded or dealt by the dealer. Knowing what constitutes a strong hand is key. Bluffing, which involves making judgements based upon risk or rewards, as well as learning about your opponents' play makes it an extremely rewarding and challenging game. Real money can bring huge rewards, but also great losses. This is the challenge.

Poker is more popular online because of the fast internet connection for mobile phones and computers. Online poker players are those who play through a computer or a phone in an online casino poker room. Online poker games may include a live dealer, or players gathered in person through a Zoom call.

Online poker rooms offer chatting and playing cards as well as tables. However, the stakes are still real. Many online poker rooms allow players to wager real money.

What makes online poker so popular?

Online poker offers real-money wagering via any device or computer. It is no surprise that online poker is so popular. There are many poker sites and apps to choose from.

Is online gambling legal in the US?

Although it is legal to play poker online, it is not allowed in all 50 states. Different states have different gambling laws. Online poker cannot be played in every state. The Wire Act (the US federal law) prohibits any funds being transferred over state borders for gambling. This means that all players must reside within the state where they are playing. Online poker room operators are responsible for ensuring that only players within the same state can play for real cash.

When was online poker legalized in the USA?

It is difficult to answer this question. Online poker legalization in the United States will require that you review a few pieces of United States legislation.

Wire Act - Implications from 2011 and 2018 decisions

The 1961 Federal Wire Act was also known as Interstate Wire Act. It was the first major law to specifically target sports betting through wire communications among several states. It was initially intended to stop the spread (specifically Sportsbooking), of gambling through organized crime syndicates.

Enforcement Act against illegal internet gambling

2006 saw the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. This federal statute bans online gambling with credit cards and other financial instruments. In 2008 it became illegal to make a deposit with an American bank for any kind of internet gambling, except in the states where it's legal.

The Wire Act prohibition against illegal sports betting over telephone or wire lines was amended by the UIGEA. It now applies to both "unlawful", Internet activities, as well those involving wagering at horsetracks and lotteries. The United States Department of Justice said that "Intrastate transactions" are not covered by the Wire Act.

This might have led to some people thinking that online gambling in the USA was illegal.

"Black Friday"

PokerNews reported that the United States Government Enforcement Agency had indicted many websites including PokerStars. Full Tilt Poker and Absolute. DOJ confiscated domain names associated with these sites on April 15, 2011, and frozen all funds. They also served indictments. They all collapsed, except PokerStars. Online poker players had no access to winnings or funds. PokerStars was quick to negotiate a deal with the US government. In total, $114 million was distributed to 45.180 Full Tilt member over the course of almost three years. The sticky legal battle ended in 2016 and the entire process was concluded.

Federal Wire Act Amendments

The New Hampshire Lottery Commission brought suit against the federal government in 2019 for the cancellation of NeoPollard, its online platform. The Federal Wire Act was effectively suspended as of June 2021 for all gambling forms other than sports betting. The Department of Justice chose not to appeal this decision, effectively allowing nonsport betting gambling operators the ability to run their businesses from a federal platform. NeoPollard made public the decision once it was finalized on their blog. You Can Make a Living Playing Online Poker!