For those of you living in the US, the best way to play real money online poker is by signing up for a reputable offshore cardroom. Although they are not licensed in the United States, these sites are registered in their own countries and are therefore fully legal to play for. These sites accept players from most countries and have a long-standing reputation for fairness.
It is a good idea to play poker anonymously in order to protect yourself from being tracked by opponents. Playing under a username makes it easy for opponents to find you online. In addition, playing anonymously means that you won’t be able to use Heads-Up Displays, which allow your opponents to see what you’re doing while playing.
Unfortunately, the federal government has taken action against online poker. As of July 1, 2006, the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA) made it illegal for US banks to handle transactions relating to online gambling. This law has hampered the development of many popular online poker sites, although some remained operational. In addition to the UIGEA, the Department of Justice has also taken action against those who play poker illegally.
The federal government’s efforts have had some success, with several states legalizing online poker in the last few years. But it has been difficult for online poker to gain traction in all 50 states. Regulatory hurdles remain a problem, but states are increasingly looking for ways to regulate online poker. While the federal government has successfully kept the largest global online poker operators out of the US market, a few offshore operators continue to accept US players.
With these hurdles, online poker isn’t likely to be legal in Connecticut for another year. However, it’s still possible to get regulated online poker in Connecticut in the future. While it may take a few months before it becomes a reality, online gambling will likely be legal in Connecticut by the fall of 2021. But unexpected developments may push back the timeline.
Legalizing online poker is important for the growth of the online gaming industry. It is a growing revenue source for states, so it’s likely to catch on soon. However, the process will require the cooperation of stakeholders. If successful, it could even become a popular option in many other states. However, some states are still resistant to the idea.
West Virginia recently legalized online poker, but it’s not expected to go live until 2021. The state’s small population means that launching an online poker room will be a significant challenge. Additionally, the legal status of online poker is complicated by ongoing litigation relating to the federal Wire Act. While West Virginia’s online gambling industry is unlikely to be legal anytime soon, there are several retail casinos in the state that offer poker.
There are also tournaments that have real money prizes. Global Poker hosts large multi-table tournaments in virtually every US state. Often, these tournaments have huge fields and large prize pools. These tournaments typically last for several days.
