The Legality of Online Poker
The topic of whether online poker is legal or illegal is frankly
quite interesting. Typically, gambling is managed by each
individual state, and as a result some states have legalized
gambling and casinos and others do not. However, the internet is
not something that can be managed by each state because it is
global, there are no controls so to speak by individual
countries, states, or governments on the Internet because it is
like another world. But, back to the legality of poker online, a
question that has no answer or many answers depending on how you
look at it. There is no precedent set for gambling online, as a
result there is no way to say that gambling online is legal,
illegal, or none of the above. In fact, you could answer yes,
no, or maybe, and be just as right with any of these answers.
The Wire Act is one issues people say that makes gambling online
illegal because it bans gambling by phone, however there is no
precedent set that makes this statement valid regarding Internet
gambling. As a result, while there are plenty of ways to infer
gambling online is illegal, there is no way to prove so until a
precedent is set. Setting a legal precedent requires someone
being charged with playing online poker and then being found
guilty. As of yet, not one single American soul out of the
millions who play online poker each and every day has ever been
charged, fined, or convicted of this act.
You might find this information not very helpful because your
question is whether or not you can safely play poker online and
not worry about breaking the law or being subjected to
prosecution or fines of any type. Well, there is no outright
answer, which favors playing poker online because there is
nothing saying you absolutely cannot play poker online. Even if
your state does not have legalized gambling or casinos, you can
still play poker online and not worry about the authorities
catching you and giving you a ticket. At the moment in time,
finding all the online poker players, and fining them is not the
main goal of states, and until there is some definitive
statement regarding online poker you should play your heart
away. Additionally, the fact that no legal precedent exists
regarding online poker means you really have nothing to worry
about.
However, if you are really concerned about the legality, or
illegality, of playing poker online you should play and keep
your ear out for any new information on the subject, or else
avoid the game altogether because if you are so worried about
the legality of online poker you won't really be able to enjoy
playing the game.
Online Poker Beginnings Poker and gambling has been popular for
years, however many states have outlawed the activity relegating
die hard fans to travel to the likes of Las Vegas, Atlantic
City, or even the Cherokee Reservation in North Carolina to play
their beloved game. However, not everyone can afford to travel
to one of these destinations to play poker, nor do individuals
have the time to do so on a regular basis. So, what was the
average person who loved poker supposed to do if his buddies
couldn't play one Saturday night? Before online poker there were
few options, now, no matter where you live you can play poker
online to your hearts desire. You can play at night, in the
morning, while eating lunch, or working as well. Online poker
allows you to play your favorite game whenever and wherever you
like!
At first, people thought this was an amazing idea, but they were
also very cautious as well because the Internet was new, there
was little understanding on how one could actually win money in
an online poker game and then receive the money, there was
mistrust, and simply confusion. But, the poker websites started
offering security measures, large bonuses, and benefits for
online players and little by little individuals started playing
poker online.
The first players of online poker shared their success stories
with friends and family members, as well as boasting about the
security measures and the safety of playing online. This word of
mouth advertising in addition to the advertising by the online
poker sites really attracted new players and now in just a few
short years online poker sites are some of the most popular
sites on the web and there are people who play online poker
every single day. If you had asked poker players 20 years ago
what they thought of playing poker at home on a computer rather
than in the casino you probably would have gotten some really
strange looks and resounding negative responses. However, the
age of the Internet has changed people and whether it is
shopping, paying bills, or playing poker online the Internet is
making everything easier and more accessible to the masses.
Before, poker was a game of the wealthy who had the money to
spend on a long vacation to a poker hot spot. Now, poker is a
game of the every day man or woman that enjoys a hand of poker,
but has neither the time nor the money to travel all over the
country to play.
This huge growth in online poker is what has so many people
worried about the legality of it and whether or not laws will be
passed to regulate online pokers sites. While the future is
unknown regarding online poker sites and whether they will be
considered legal, illegal, or just another website remains to be
seen, but until then simply log on to your favorite online
gambling website and play to your hearts desire.