Newbie Question: Online Poker Legal in US?!

I was getting ready to join a poker site when someone told me it was illegal to play online poker in the US. Some new (2006?) legislation supposedly banning it? Couldn't find anything that analyzed it that clealry or conclusively. Very confusing. And there are so many sites that seem to allow US citizens to join. So, what's the deal (pardon the pun)?! Is it OK for US citizens? And if so, can anybody recommend a site and - more importantly? - the best pay to deposit and withdraw money these days? (Saw a few posts on that, but they seemed a little outdated.) Thanx!

The honest answer is that it is undetermined. The government is taking the stance that it is illegal, but it has not been tested in courts and it is unlikely to be tested anytime soon.

The law you are referring to is the UIGEA, which makes it illegal for US banks to deal with poker sites. Nothing in the law makes it illegal for you to play poker online. It does make it harder to put money in your account.

Here is a good article on the law and it's implications for online poker players:
MySA.com: KENS 5: Sports

Here is a page you may want to review.

Thanks, guys. Very helpful. I especially liked the legal analysis in the article 'aliengenius' referred me to.

The lawyer writing that articel alluded to States having the right to enact legislation separate from any Federal legislation ... if I understood it correctly.

I guess I'll try Google-ing "Florida Online Poker Legality" or some such ... unless anyone has information on states' online gambling laws already.

Thanks agian.

for what it's worth, i'm in florida, donking it up on the internet pokars, and i haven't been arrested yet. i've cashed out and everything. you don't have anything to worry about

Online poker in florida is not illegal. Live poker in florida has been legal for years it was just restricted to max pot size per hand by legislation but i think that was raised recently.

Well now that you know, you can get in trouble. You shouldn't have asked. There are records of this conversation. I've said too much.

I have plausible deniability.

Grundy -

Sorry, I don't follow what you're saying: "Now that you know, you can get in trouble, etc."?!

Now that I know what?!

And what, exactly, are you plausibly denying?!

Did I miss a thread or something?!

He's said TOO MUCH.... ...The crow flies at midnite

Online poker in florida is not illegal. Live poker in florida has been legal for years it was just restricted to max pot size per hand by legislation but i think that was raised recently.

You'll be OK. Just don't play too big.

While it is not illegal, there are some politicians pushing to make it illegal. In MA, the governor is trying to get three casinos built in MA, however buried in his legislation is a provision that would make it illegal for MA residents to play online. Typical hypocritical MA politics - just follow the money...