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!
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.
