For gamblers wondering if they can play online poker in the United States, the short answer is that there’s no federal law prohibiting US players from operating online poker accounts and playing for real money. The long answer is somehow complex because when it comes to state law, the picture becomes hazy. Many states still maintain outdated gambling laws which do not address the issue of US poker sites directly. A few have chosen to tackle online gambling in general, with the exception of Washington State which explicitly forbids online poker.
Legal Online Poker
Playing online poker legally in the US is not a black and white affair, especially when you consider new forms of poker sites are being tested in courts across the country; for instance, subscription-based poker rooms defy classification within existing US gambling laws. Thanks to the complex nature of the topic itself, there will always be confusion surrounding online poker law in the US. But one thing remains clear; US players still have a variety of legal ways with which they may play poker online for real money.
Poker After Black Friday
On April 15th, 2011 the United States government indicted a number of poker rooms – Full Tilt and Poker Stars among others – on allegations that, by accepting deposits and processing withdrawals from online players, they had broken the law. The poker rooms mounted a spirited defense against the charges, with Poker Stars’ final settlement with the government resulting in their acquisition of Full Tilt’s assets. The charges against the two companies were eventually suspended with no admission of wrongdoing. Pundits estimate that the size of the poker scene in the US remained relatively stable after Black Friday, with online poker players choosing to move on to sites that accept American players.
UIGEA’s Impact On Poker
The notorious UIGEA [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act] law of 2006 may have changed the online poker scene but it did not expressly outlaw online poker. This law simply resulted in Party Poker, at the time the largest poker site in the world, opting out of the American market in response to shareholder pressure. However, Poker Stars still allowed US players. Their US market share was quickly taken over by Full Tilt Poker as dozens of other poker rooms that had followed the two out of the US market continued to accept players from the US. Basically, the UIGEA law had little practical impact on the nature or size of the online poker market and much like Black Friday, this law only resulted in a rearrangement of the market but not a reduction in its liquidity.
Poker Regulation
In the ensuing months and years, US players have been able to enjoy a lot more choices of poker sites legally, thanks in large part to federal and state regulation of online gambling. Currently, the states of New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware have passed laws which explicitly legalize and regulate online poker, with Nevada leading the pack among US states as it gave the US its first licensed real-money poker site in 2012. Gambling experts have projected that more states will soon follow the pioneering model established by the three states, which mean a range of online poker sites from one state are connected to poker rooms of other states to form an even wider poker network nationwide.
Several attempts have been made to pass federal poker regulation over the last few years to no avail, but the Nevada model could be upended should federal regulation pass before states roll out their own poker laws. Experts have projected the US federal government might beat individual states to the pot owing to a building interest in the online gambling world being exhibited by powerful voices in Congress. And while many might differ on the path such regulation may take, all agree that regulation of online poker is inevitable. The general consensus here being federal regulation should happen soon lest states take the lead and quickly establish their own regulatory regimes within the next two to three years.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
The first thing about gambling that a gambler visiting Hawaii would like to know is the position of the state laws regarding poker, sports betting and such other gaming activities in the country. In places where gambling is illegal, many people end up facing prosecution because of either engaging in gambling activities or running enterprises that offer those services.
And when it comes to the law, it is good to note that legality of gambling may be partial. Sometimes state laws may allow gambling in specific placeslike casinos while barring gambling activities in bars, clubs and such other smaller entertainment places. There are other times too when state laws permit gambling activities on land – brick and mortar casinos and so on – but not online. That is why some countries deem poker to be legal but on a closer look at the poker law one finds that online poker is illegal. Other times the state poker law allows citizens to participate only on sites hosted within the home country. There are even those state laws that prohibit foreign poker players and other foreign gamblers from playing on local sites.
When it comes to the legality of gambling in the state of Hawaii, the law is explicit as far as gambling within ships is concerned – it is outright illegal. Gambling is also banned along the Hawaii coastline. One thing that travelers should have in mind is that in venues where the state laws expressly ban gambling, it is illegal too to be in possession of items and facilities that can abet gambling activities. This implies that the authorities would find fault in someone carrying a slot machine and such other gaming devices on ships destined to dock in Hawaii. Other things that can lead authorities to picking you for questioning in relation to gambling offenses, even poker related offenses, include being in possession of gambling records; engaging in bookmarking; and generally promoting gambling in one form or another.
On the overall, Hawaii is not the place for a professional gambler. Playing poker or any other betting game is banned from public places and people only engage in such games at a social level. It is important to keep in mind that hotels, motels, bars as well as nightclubs are public places where gambling cannot take place.
Lottery in Hawaii
Hawaii does not run a state lottery and its state laws do not endorse the running of a lottery by private persons. In short, any person caught in possession of lottery tickets would have to answer to the law. This has been a little tricky for residents of Hawaii who live along the borders where lotteries are run in the neighboring countries.
Seriousness of gambling offenses in Hawaii
Gambling is taken as a serious offense in Hawaii; in fact, a criminal offense. However, the citizens cannot claim ignorance of the law as the state laws are clear and the authorities are diligent on maintaining them. It is not surprising to see an offender jailed for gambling related offenses in Hawaii. Still, it does not necessarily mean that one faces jail time for playing online poker or engaging in a betting game on a ship. Gambling offenses in the country are categorized in levels of seriousness and proportionate fines and other consequences meted.
Online gambling in Hawaii
As the state laws stand today, nobody is really certain if playing online poker in Hawaii constitutes a breach of the law or not. That means poker enthusiasts do engage in their preferred pastime and often play for real money. After all, they can choose to avoid playing poker on sites hosted locally and still play on sites that are hosted in other states where online poker is legal.
People in the state of Iowa frequent the casinos that exist and engage in the different gambling activities available, including the game of poker. The state laws in Iowa allow for particular betting games within brick and mortar casinos, and so there is no danger of patrons being rounded by the police for illegal betting. There is, for instance, a state lottery; some pari-mutual betting; and, of course, the not-so-many casinos offering poker and such other betting games. For someone to legally participate in betting in these casinos, the minimum age of 21yrs must apply.
As in other countries all over the world, or even other states in America, various local communities are more inclined to gambling than others. As such, investors in the business of providing gaming facilities assess the local trend before making a decision whether to run a casino or not. When it comes to the vast state of Iowa, it may help to know the counties that do offer gaming facilities; places where locals and visitors can pop in and play a game of poker or any of the other legal betting games.
Poker enthusiasts who are not much interested in online poker but would rather they interacted live with other poker players can find convenience in the casinos that are fairly spread over the state. Those include casinos in the counties of Pottawattami, Monona, Des Moines, Dubuque, Worth, Lyon, Woodbury, Scott, Clayton, Black Hawk, Tama, Polk, Washington, Clark, Clinton, PaloAlto and Greene. As long as poker players as well as their hosts observe the law regulating gaming activities in the state, Iowa offers a friendly gambling environment.
It is also important to keep updated with the changes taking place and affecting the way gambling is conducted on the ground. As from 2015, for instance, the state laws have become specific about the mode of payment when it comes to stakes in poker and such other monies. It is illegal now to accept credit cards in the state of Iowa. In short, anyone playing poker in Iowa, whether from a conventional casino or from a website offering online poker services can only pay in cash or check; or even use a debit card. That is to say that there must be proof of the person being liquid. This bit of legal provision is meant to restrict people in Iowa from going into debt as a result of playing poker and other betting games. In fact, Senator Tony, Bisignano who suggested the piece of amendment barring the use of credit cards in poker rooms and such other gambling places, asserted that it is not just professional poker that gets people into financial woes. Social gambling is just as bad.
Online Gambling in Iowa
Whereas the state laws barring the use of credit cards are bound to apply to online poker as well, the freedom to engage in online gambling within the state of Iowa still remains. There are many sites available, some hosted within the state and others outside Iowa. One thing, though, that online poker players from Iowa need to check out first is the legality of using real cash in the various sites outside Iowa. It is advisable to avoid using real money to pay for online gambling on sites hosted in states like New York where there are restrictions. In fact, it is important for any player engaging in online poker on such sites to do some due diligence first because some may be hosted by unscrupulous people who do not care about the law. Yet, if caught breaking the law, the poker player may be held personally liable and possibly lose all monies spent.
Poker is a way of life for a good number of people worldwide, and for many, it is actually their only livelihood. However, even with the knowledge that people do go professional with poker, a number of governments still hesitate to legalize it. Granted poker is not a profession that calls for a great education like medicine, teaching, engineering and such, but still, it offers an opportunity for people to earn a living. Unfortunately for poker lovers, the betting game that is poker is still viewed in many countries as a pre-occupation that lacks respectability. The fact that there is sometimes a history of people who fell from riches to poverty through gambling makes many people and governments weary of poker and related betting games.
Playing the game of poker in Mexico has been the order of the day for Mexicans and visitors as well. Poker lovers enjoy visiting the many casinos in the country because there is no harassment from the authorities and there is also no discrimination within the gaming fraternity. Other poker lovers opt to play online poker from the comfort of their homes. In fact, people in Mexico hardly made poker law an issue for discussion because the atmosphere has always been welcoming for gamblers even those interested in online poker or any other form of online gambling. Even some known names in the field of poker, like Bryce Daifuku, have always found Mexico a better place to hone their skills than their home countries. Daifuku is American.
Recently, however, there has been talk about the state online poker law in Mexico changing. In fact, there is a draft underway and just awaiting debate and legal procedures. One of the aspects that are up for debate is whether to confine online gambling within Mexico to Mexicans only or to continue accommodating citizens of other countries on the online gambling sites. If the state poker law locks out foreigners from online poker sites hosted in Mexico, it will be putting Mexico in the category of countries like Spain and France. These two countries have legally locked out foreigners from home-based online gambling sites. For the period since that ban became effective, the exchequer has felt the pinch as revenues from foreign based gamblers whose income was being taxed have disappeared.
It is not clear what impact the new state online poker law will have on Mexico’s economy, but the rate of taxation will definitely be a factor. Possibly Mexico just needs to consider its unique position without necessarily copying the poker law in either France or Spain because any negative impact would be felt more seriously in Mexico because of its massive population. The population of France and Spain combined is still less than that of Mexico. Those two countries have a population of 66 million and 46 million respectively, while Mexico’s population is 122 million.
Vibrant Casinos and Great Weather
While some foreigners come and take up residency in Mexico purposely to enjoy the great gaming environment, others stick around because of the friendly weather; the friendly gambling atmosphere being just the icing on the cake for them. Some of the Mexican casinos buzzing with activity include Caliente, Emotion, PlayCity and Yak Casino in Acapulco; M Casino in Agua Prieta; Casino Life, Dubai Palace and others in Benito Juarez; PlayWin in Cabo San Lucas; Crown Casino, Casino Fortune and others in Chihuahua; Caliente Casino in Los Cabos; Big Bola-Santa Fe and Caliente Casino-Interlomas Plaza Magnocentral in Mexico City; and very many others. Suffice it to say, casinos in Mexico are in their hundreds and as it is today, no poker law has been passed to restrict any person from playing either in these casinos or on online gambling sites.
The Netherlands is one country where the government is tolerant in many issues including matters of religion. And of late, the liberal political leaders seem to be gaining even more popularity. It cannot, therefore, surprise anyone to know that playing poker for money in the country is legal. In fact, the country boasts of around 14 casinos so far and poker players are looking forward to more of them opening.
However, considering how liberal the Netherlands generally is, 14 casinos cannot be considered a big number. Poker fans would be happier with more of them. The reason gambling venues are not as many as poker enthusiasts would like is that the country has licensed only one entity to run gambling activities in the whole of Netherlands. The entity holding this monopoly is the Holland Casino.
The fate of online gambling in the Netherlands
It is unfortunate for poker lovers in the Netherlands because whoever has no access to the few casinos run by Holland Casino has no chance of enjoying online poker or any other form of online gambling. If the country were to have sites to host online poker, those sites would have to be run by Holland Casino since it is the one licensed to run non-sports betting activities. Private investors who have tried over time to host online gambling sites in the Netherlands have had to bear the consequences in form of massive fines.
Betting enthusiasts in the country hope that one day soon the government is going to rethink the current state laws that prescribe a monopoly and pass state laws that accommodate other service providers besides the Holland Casino. In the meantime, they can only hope that Holland Casino will be more liberal and open online sites to offer online gambling. Even when it comes to sports betting, only one company has been licensed to run it and that is De Lotto. The only sport whose betting De Lotto does not handle is horse racing. Surprisingly, people in the Netherlands are allowed to place bets on sports online, even when online poker itself is prohibited.
Pressure to liberalize gambling in the Netherlands
As a member of the European Union (EU), it is becoming increasingly uncomfortable for the Netherlands to hold onto its restricting gambling laws when many of the other EU members have friendly state laws on online gambling. And with the freedom of movement that began with the establishment of the EU, citizens of other member countries expect to enjoy the same opportunities that the Dutch enjoy when they visit those countries. Obviously, those opportunities include the opportunity to play online poker legally and better opportunities to access brick and mortar casinos.
Surprise! More Than Half a Million Dutch Still Gamble Online
With the advancement of technology and governments not being able to keep up with comprehensive regulatory measures, poker players and gamblers in countries where online gambling is illegal look for loopholes and still access online sites that offer online gambling. Some of those sites are often hosted outside the country with restrictions. Many countries that were quick to legalize online poker and other online gambling activities saw an opportunity to net revenues for the government through taxation.
That is exactly what the Netherlands is missing out on. Already, over half a million enthusiastic Dutch players have found a way of partaking in online gambling. Unfortunately, the government is not benefiting from those gambling activities as tax can only be levied on legal activities. Hopefully, the government will begin to appreciate that online gambling is not about to go away and that it is better to make it legal and get an opportunity to regulate its operations and benefit from tax revenues.
