Legal Poker Sites

Are Online Poker Sites Legal?

The question that all US players seem to have is "Can I play online poker legally?" The short answer is yes but, as you may have guessed, things are still a bit complicated for US players in the realm of online poker (and online gambling in general). Originally, the applicable legislation was the Federal Wire Act of 1961. This legislation banned interstate and foreign wagering with the use of a wire device, such as a telephone or the Internet (via legal poker sites). However, in 2011, the attorneys of the Justice Department released a statement that this law only applies to sports betting. This was confirmed by the findings of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Thus, the question of legal poker sites in 2013 no longer revolves around the Federal Wire Act.

USA Legal Poker at US Poker Sites

In 2006, congress passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) which directly attacked the online gambling industry, including poker rooms. This law works by making it illegal for financial institutions to process payments to and from online gambling companies. Because of this, many sites backed out of the USA market completely. The good news is that this law doesn’t make it illegal for you to play poker online.

So, we know that you don’t have to worry about the legality of playing poker online, but that doesn’t mean that the current US laws won't affect you. The far reaching effects of the UIGEA have made it much more challenging for US players to successfully complete their credit card deposits and withdrawals. While we can never guarantee successful banking transactions, the legal US poker sites recommended on this page have continually proven themselves to be the best when it comes to US players.

We only list the best overall legal poker sites and, for all of the details, you can always refer to our thorough reviews. Otherwise, feel free to visit these poker rooms to create your free player account today!

In order to give you the most help getting started playing online poker in the USA we have created the following list of FAQs from the most often asked player questions:

Is Online Poker Legal in the US?

In 2013 online poker is legal in the US. It does not fall under the legislation for internet sports betting which is still illegal. The biggest problem US players face is that online poker sites often ban any transactions for US players due to the banking regulations, not the legality of the online games.

Is It Legal To Make Deposits At US Online Poker Sites?

While playing poker online for money is legal, transferring money from banks to those online sites is not. However, there are several other ways to legally transfer money to an online poker site. If you are a US player you can find the online poker sites that still allow US players to legally enjoy the playing Texas Hold'em & Omaha, listed above on our site above. These are safe and some of the best online poker sites online today.

Can I Make Deposits at US Poker Sites?

Yes, but it will be a little bit more difficult that it is for players in other countries. Players from the USA can deposit and withdraw money from online poker sites using wire transfers, and sometimes directly from credit cards. Visa and MasterCard are popular options, but in some cases the banks issuing the credit cards will block the transactions. The US online poker sites in 2013 listed on our pages have a legit reputation and ability to get deposits accepted by major credit cards.

What Legal Problems are there with US Online Poker?

There are no legal ramifications to playing poker online. There aren't even any problems with attempting to make deposits or withdrawals by means that are banned, except that it won't work. You can't be arrested, charged with any crime of any type in the US for having fun and enjoying the entertainment of playing on line poker. Different states have different laws, see the Cardschat States section for more information.

Can I Make Deposits at US Poker Sites?

Yes, but it will be a little bit more difficult than it is for players in other countries. Players from the US can deposit and withdraw money from online poker websites using wire transfers, and sometimes directly from credit cards. Visa and MasterCard are popular options, but in some cases the banks issuing the credit cards will block the transactions. The US online poker sites listed on our pages have the best reputation and ability to get deposits accepted by major credit cards.

Are My US Poker Transactions Safe and Secure?

Our reviewers do their best to examine all of the security measures on each USA online poker room we list. We do this so you can feel secure knowing that your personal and financial information is safe when you access your account. The vast majority of US online poker sites in 2013 are safe, just like live casinos in Las Vegas, but you should always check to make sure they use VeriSign or other high level encryption methods to protect your information before joining.

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