Re: Legal or not?
What's the real story on online poker for money legality? I've heard it's not legal. I've heard actually legal, but the banks won't cooperate to transfer money. And I've heard it's totally legal so play to your heart's content.
What's the story?
Thanks.
Found this reply to my own question.
There is NO federal law that makes the act of wagering online illegal. The only federal law that addresses gambling is the wire act from the 1960’s which makes it illegal to place wagers via the telephone. The US government passed a port security law and tacked on provisions (UIGEA) that make it illegal for BANKS, not players, to fund or accept payment from “illegal” gaming sources. The only problem (for the govt) is that there are dozens of third party methods available for funding and no way to trace ACH credits. Another problem for the DOJ is that they qualified the online gambling statement with “illegal online gambling” yet failed to define “illegal online gambling”. There is no law that speaks to online gambling so UIGEA refers to no specific activity. In other words, the new provisions are only for show, a meager attempt to turn the banks into law enforcement agencies, and the end result is a waste of ink. I still use my VISA check card and e-check on my favorite sites. Online gaming will be impossible to completely eliminate from the US. The best they can do is make it inconvenient. Eventually I see the industry being regulated and taxed.
The only states with laws directed towards online wagering are Michigan, Illinois, Louisiana, Oregon, Wisconsin, Washington, Indiana, Nevada, New York, New Jersey and South Dakota. Although these states do have specific laws pertaining to online gaming, there has not been any charges laid and those laws are vague and currently being challenged.
Some sites have decided, on their own, to no longer accept American players. These are the publicly traded companies and most have returned to private owners. All of the sites that have been prosecuted have been for accepting wagers from Americans WHILE being based on US soil! It has nothing to do with off shore online gambling. There are still many highly reputable sites that welcome and cater to American clients.
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