Is Online Poker Illegal?
Online poker was a federal crime in the US until the UIGEA was passed in 2011. This law attached a strict set of regulations to the way that online poker sites handle players’ money. Although the laws prohibit the sites from paying interest to players, they can make a substantial profit from the relatively low risks of investing a player’s bankroll. Nevertheless, a new federal law could still prevent online gambling sites from allowing US citizens to play.
However, online poker is not illegal in most jurisdictions. It is fully legal in a handful of jurisdictions and is licensed by governments. But in many places, online poker is considered legal. The reason why it’s popular is because it can be played at anytime, anywhere, and for a variety of stakes. Of course, one of the biggest attractions of playing and winning real money is the fact that it’s incredibly easy to access and play.
In addition to being legal in many jurisdictions, online poker is also legal in many other countries. While government regulations on gambling online are often contradictory, most sites operate legally. For this reason, there are no regulations on whether online poker is allowed. The vast majority of jurisdictions are regulated by governmental agencies. The government’s stance, however, does not mean that online poker is illegal. It is simply not regulated enough to be banned in every country.