Greg0201
Legend
Platinum Level
im not even sure why but i know there is only like 2 or 3 sites that take US players anyways so its not very many
im also in a state where its ok so im not worried lol
BiliousBetil
Legend
Silver Level
One opinion is that the poker itself is not illegal; however, financial transactions with the various sites may be questionable. I suggest following the Poker Players Alliance threads for a better understanding.
Cheers!
Cheers!
VinnyStrat
Visionary
Silver Level
Gambling is legal in most states in the US as long as it's the type run by the government to extract revenue from the citizens. (Lotto). Making it illegal helps protect the governments revenue stream from competition.
BiliousBetil
Legend
Silver Level
This is an interesting argument, at least regarding Lotto. The evidence seems to indicate that Lotteries are a regressive tax as they are mostly played by persons with lower incomes. If it is true that most gambling is played with disposable incomes (complusive gambling being the obvious exception), than lotteries would not be effected by other legalized gambling.
The interesting consideration is that online poker, with available low stakes, could conceivably draw some lottery money. Speaking for myself, I only play the Lotto when the jackpot is so ridiculously large that I don't mind spending a single dollar.
Cheers!
PapaC
Legend
Silver Level
I always think that those sites operating and taking US players, are paying some kind money to our government. Just my opinion. However, sites like Stars won't pay any kind of tax. And no site would if they were as big as them. They don't need what money that would come from the US market.
YourHuckleberry
Enthusiast
Silver Level
Poker is a lot like sex... It only becomes illegal when money changes hands. So if you can hide the money, you can hide the sausage and if you you can hide deposits and payouts to US players you can operate a game. There must be a papertrail for the Justice Dept. to bring charges and that is why only the nearly untraceable deposit methods are accepted.
A
aolguin3
Visionary
Silver Level
Thank you all for the information and hopefully poker stars is able to come back and to be able to play for money online without a problem.
Havik
Visionary
Bronze Level
Basically its illegal if the government is not getting a cut of the pie. The problem is there is high demand and us players want to play online. The government seems like they do plan to regulate it but, like anything they do is at snail pace. I doubt the government will go after poker players that sounds expensive and would be a waste of time. It is more likely they would try to shut down the site. How can they do that if the site is overseas? Another fact that banning poker seems to be taking your right to free. Why is the government telling me what i can do and cant do in my own house. Its not harming anyone and is a peaceful act.