Currently, only a handful of states have regulated online poker, though Connecticut and West Virginia have recently passed legislation legalizing the game. However, there are many more that are mulling whether or not they will regulate online poker. Read on to learn what the legality issues are. Then, learn about some of the most important laws pertaining to online poker. And, learn what you can expect from an online poker site once it is legal in your state.
First, you’ll want to ensure that you’re at least eighteen years old. This is the minimum age legal in your state to gamble, but it can also be lower if you’re under 18.
Delaware is the first state to legalize online poker, and its players can play on sites operated by the Delaware Park, Harrington Raceway, and Dover Downs. The Delaware sites use the 888poker software. In the spring of 2019, West Virginia will make online poker legal and issue gaming licenses to online poker operators. As of now, final preparations are underway for the first West Virginia poker sites to open. So, when will Pennsylvania legalize online poker?
While Kentucky has been considered one of the states most likely to legalize online poker, it has been the least likely. The state has an ongoing lawsuit against online poker company PokerStars over the seizure of 140 gaming domains in 2008. Kentucky’s attorney general, Steve Beshear, led the fight against online gaming and aggressively sued PokerStars for providing internet-based poker to Kentuckians. While the lawsuits are unrelated, they do suggest that the online poker industry in the state will continue to face significant legal challenges.
US online poker operators pay significant taxes on their revenue, which benefits both states and local communities. The money generated by the games supports schools and improve social programs. To encourage traffic, US online poker sites often have the largest bonuses in the world. To compete with their overseas counterparts, these US poker sites offer valuable promotions and reload bonuses to attract new players. If you’re not interested in playing on US online poker sites, try smaller regional sites.
In addition to regulations, online poker sites also verify players’ locations. Most of them use the IP address of a player’s computer to determine where they are located. However, many sites also combine IP address verification with other methods, such as triangulating with cell phone towers. Some sites even text their registered cell phone number to confirm their identity. As a result, online poker sites can help keep their players safe. However, it is important to note that the legality of online poker sites should not be compromised because of such issues.
As of the end of February, the DOJ’s 2018 Wire Act interpretation was rebuffed. While the Department of Justice could have taken the case to the US Supreme Court, it did not do so. Since then, the internet has become a huge part of American life, and New Jersey was leading the way for legal and safe online poker. The New Hampshire Lottery Commission, meanwhile, filed a lawsuit demanding clarity and feared for interstate lottery sales.