Online Poker – Is Online Poker Legal in the US?
Several states have regulated online poker and more are contemplating it. Regulation takes place at the state level, so online poker operators must obtain licenses from the various states. Once a site has a license, players from regulated states can play for real money. As a result, any American citizen or resident can sign up for an account with a regulated website and play for real money as long as they physically reside in the regulated state.
There are some sites that are geared towards different players, so beginners can join those. PokerStars and Full Tilt cater to both experienced and recreational players. However, you can also find low-stake tables at places like Bovada and Bet365. Recreational players are advised to join sites like Bovada and Bet365, which have many beginner tables, ensuring that they can start playing idnplay for real money. Whether you are new to online poker or a seasoned pro, there is a site for you.
Online poker regulation has been slow, but it is happening. New Jersey, Delaware and Michigan have passed laws that allow online poker to be played legally. In January 2019, West Virginia passed legislation to legalize online poker, but virtual hands haven’t yet been dealt. And while more states are looking to legalize online poker, the federal government has been successful in keeping the largest global online poker site operators out of the US market. As of 2018, there are many offshore operators that still accept US players.
The legality of online poker depends on several factors. The first consideration is whether the site is legal to operate. Poker is legal in a handful of US states, and offshore operators are able to take US players without pre-selection. Most sites listed on this page are offshore and fully licensed and legal. The security of offshore sites is equivalent to that of their US counterparts. You should always verify the legality of an online poker site before signing up.
New Jersey was one of the first states to legalize online poker in the US. It has a population of over 10 million. Today, the only operating site in Nevada is WSOP.com, which offers licensed online poker games in the state. Earlier, New Jersey fought the legal battle to bring online poker to the US. Its state-licensed poker sites are BetMGM Poker, Borgata Poker, and 888.com.
In addition to geolocation tracking, online poker operators track players’ devices. While GPS tracking can be tampered with, legal US online poker apps ask for permission to install geolocation software on players’ devices. Geolocation tracking allows online poker operators to make sure that US citizens are playing in legal jurisdictions. Ultimately, online poker operators must keep this information confidential. However, this is no guarantee that all legal online poker apps will ask for your consent to install geolocation software on your device.