While online poker in the United States is largely legal, it is still not regulated like brick-and-mortar poker. In fact, the legality of online poker is still a contentious issue. The United States passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) in 2006 and online poker operators hope the new administration will overturn this law. Several other countries have legalized online poker, including the United Kingdom and many Caribbean Sea nations.
The sign-up process for online poker requires that you provide personal information such as your social security number, date of birth, full name, and address. It is also a good idea to have an IP PIN to protect yourself from identity fraud and tax return theft. The good news is that most online poker sites now have a PIN system that makes it easy to verify your identity. Besides, you’ll never know who’s logging into your account unless you log in with it, so you’re better safe than sorry.
As with traditional gambling, online poker can be tricky. Nearly every country looks at online poker through a different legal lens. Laws have changed frequently over the past decade, so it’s difficult to keep up. Even if you’re familiar with poker laws in your home country, it’s not easy to understand how online poker sites work in the United States. Before you sign up for an account at an online poker site, make sure it is operated by a US company. This ensures that the company’s operations are legal in the US.
West Virginia has finally legalized online poker. The state passed a law allowing online gaming in late March 2019. With a population of less than two million, West Virginia has the potential to be a large market if it is allowed to share player pools with other states. The state lottery, which oversees online gambling, is responsible for issuing licenses and devising regulations for the new internet gaming industry. The West Virginia State Lottery’s director recently traveled to Pennsylvania to discuss the legality of online poker in the US.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a dramatic increase in online poker traffic. As a result, live poker venues around the world were closed indefinitely. In addition, the virus has also disrupted the sports and entertainment schedules around the world. During this time, many online poker operators have reported seeing double or even triple their traffic compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s important to note that there is still a need for online poker lobbying in the United States.
The US Department of Justice’s UIGEA investigation questioned the legality of several online poker sites. Ultimately, the investigation did not result in charges, but it did result in the freezing of funds. Following the investigation, full operation of the sites ceased, and PokerStars began paying players immediately. The US Department of Justice still is investigating the full extent of the scandal, but the lawsuit is unlikely to result in any changes. This investigation is an example of a legal precedent for the industry.