Will Online Poker Be Legal In Usa

US courts have indicted the founders of the three largest US online poker companies and their websites have been seized. In all, there are eleven defendants - including the founders of PokerStars.

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Back in New Jersey & More States to Come in 2020?

Currently, PokerStars is only available in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Updated March. 5, 2020 – PokerStars launched in Pennsylvania and has the highest traffic of all regulated poker sites in America. It also hosted the Pennsylvania Online Championship of Poker. This was a huge series with more than $1 million in guaranteed prizes. It took years, but it looks like it was worth the wait for Pennsylvania players.

PokerStars has been running strong in New Jersey since 2016, but it hasn’t reached the size Pennsylvania has. A shared player pool could really kick things up a notch though. We’ll see if success in Pennsylvania leads to PokerStars in more states.

Legal Online Poker in the USA

Six states have legalized online poker. Out of those, four currently have sites up-and-running. Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania. Two more states legalized online poker but are still working on setting things up. West Virginia, legalized online poker in 2019. But online poker sites there aren’t expected to launch until 2021. The same goes for Michigan.

When it comes to PokerStars, only two states have Poker Stars software. PokerStars gained approval to operate in New Jersey in 2015. Their site, pokerstarsnj.com, went live on March 21, 2016. Of course, you have physically located in New Jersey to play. It’s play money for all other states. PokerStars NJ also offers casino games like slots, blackjack, roulette and more.

PokerStars then launched in Pennsylvania in late 2019. They kicked things off with the Pennsylvania Championship of Online Poker that drew thousands of players and culminated in a $300 buy-in main event with a $100,000-guaranteed prize pool.

If you’re not in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, PokerStars could still come to your state further down the line. If you want to play today though, there are still plenty of great alternatives.

Best PokerStars Alternatives for US Players

We recommend Ignition Poker as the best alternative. A lot of people prefer it to non-state run sites since they accept players from all 50 states. Bovada, BetOnline, SportsBetting, ACR, Black Chip Poker and Intertops also rank highly. As state by state rollouts occur, we will continue to keep you updated on when PokerStars makes it to your state.

Can You Play PokerStars in the USA?

Real money online poker play on PokerStars is only available if you are physically in New Jersey or Pennsylvania. PokerStars will be in more US states soon though. West Virginia and Michigan are the current front-runners to join the party.

PokerStars, which also owns Full Tilt Poker, is currently owned by The Stars Group, formerly called Amaya Gaming Group and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. PokerStars is partnered with Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, and their main competition in the state is WSOP/888 and Borgata/PartyPoker. In Pennsylvania, they teamed up with FoxBet, which is the real-money wagering provided by FOX Sports.

While there’s online poker Delaware and Nevada, but PokerStars has yet to get a license in either state. If you do not live in either New Jersey or Pennsylvania, we recommend Ignition Poker or Betonline.ag. They are safe and trusted sites that service all 50 states. Check out our reviews for a comprehensive look at how each online poker site. We detail the most important factors to look at when picking an online poker room.

Make no mistake. Online poker is legal in the USA. It’s 100% legal for you to play. Don’t have to worry about getting arrested.

How Many Players on Pokerstars?

PokerStars remains the largest poker site on the internet with tens of thousands of players logging in weekly. PokerStars traffic is far superior to any other poker website and it controls over 50% of the market.

The sale of PokerStars has now changed the game in the US market. It is a prerequisite for any online casino that operates with a US license to also have or be partners with a US operated “land-based” casino. PokerStars partnered with Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ. Unfortunately, PokerStars has struggled with its NJ-based traffic. On the bright side, Pennsylvania has been a traffic bonanza for PokerStars since it launched in late 2019.

PokerStars also made a massive deal with gigantic casino conglomerate Eldorado Resorts, which operates properties across 12 different states. The US government has to be pleased that PokerStars is playing ball and infusing the US market with plenty of cash.

When Will PokerStars Return to the USA?

It kind of already is. If you’re in New Jersey or Pennsylvania, just download the software. If you’re in another state, then you’ll have to wait. Regulated online poker has been moving pretty slow. Even then, some states that have legalized it haven’t let PokerStars in. That’s because they have another obstacle. Some important gaming groups in the USA see the brand as a bad actor because it operated without a license in the USA for years.

The brand is still incredibly popular around the world though. The site also paid over an estimated $850 million in fines because of Black Friday. It might take some time, but PokerStars will make its way back to the USA on a broader scale.

Good Faith Will Not Prevail?

While some US states have been reluctant to allow PokerStars back, it should be noted that the company bailed out tens of thousands of American poker players. Full Tilt famously didn’t have funds on hand to repay its players after Black Friday. PokerStars then bought Full Tilt and repaid all its players for millions and millions of dollars.

PokerStars was simply a better-run business and separated their player accounts from operating expenses. It was, therefore, an easy task for PokerStars to immediately pay back its players after they were forced out of the US market in 2011. PokerStars was also better at becoming a global poker business. Most of its player traffic came from outside the USA.

This act of good faith was on top of the hundreds of millions they paid out in penalties to US officials. It was an example of responsible gaming. As more and more casinos based in the USA secure their licenses to operate, PokerStars will likely be entering several of these state-regulated markets.

When Will I Be Able to Play PokerStars in my State?

We have in-depth real money online poker guides for many of the US states that are updated whenever there are changes to state legislation. Unfortunately, there’s no clear-cut guide to when online poker will be legalized in each US state. For now, it appears that progress will only occur at the state level and a federal online poker bill is still just a pipe dream.

Some states have a higher chance of legalizing and regulating online poker in the near future, however. We keep close track of some of the more progressive states and try to give our readers some insight into which states could be closing in on legalization. You can take a deeper dive into your states specific laws in regards to PokerStars and all online poker laws with our state-by-state guides.

Online Poker USA Law State-by-State Guides

You can refer to the legal status of online poker in every US state here:
Alabama – Arizona – Arkansas – California – Colorado – Connecticut – Georgia – Idaho – Iowa – Kansas – Maine – Maryland – Massachusetts – Michigan – Minnesota – Mississippi – Montana – Nebraska – New Hampshire – New Mexico – North Carolina – North Dakota – Ohio – Oklahoma – Pennsylvania – Rhode Island – South Carolina – Tennessee – Vermont – West Virginia – Wyoming

Will Online Poker Be Legal In Usa Right Now

The Entire History of PokerStars in the USA

PokerStars has a fascinating history in the online poker industry with a substantial portion of it taking place in the USA.

2000s

• Now a billion-dollar, publicly-traded company, PokerStars had rather humble beginnings.
• It began in the early 2000s as a Costa Rican company called Rational Enterprises that was majority-owned by Israeli-Canadian Isai Scheinberg.
• PokerStars was just one of many of the early real-money online poker operators including PartyPoker, Pacific Poker (Now 888poker) and Tropical Poker.

2003 – 2006

• PokerStars’ claim to fame came in 2003 when an accountant named Chris Moneymaker won the WSOP Main Event 2003-2006 Las Vegas after qualifying on the site.
• Moneymaker was the first player to win the Main Event after qualifying online and helped create the so-called “poker boom” of the early 2000s.
• PokerStars quickly became a favorite amongst poker players for its secure deposits, reliable support team and booming cash games.

2006 – 2011

• The poker boom was stifled early on when the US government passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 that led to publicly-traded companies like PartyPoker getting forced to leave the US market altogether.
• UIGEA had the opposite effect on PokerStars because it was a privately-held company, it remained in the US market and quickly took the reins as the most popular online poker site in the world.

2011 – 2016

• The gravy train came to an end in 2011 when the Department of Justice seized the .com addresses of three online poker sites: PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute/UltimateBet.
• Online poker players referred to the day as “Black Friday”. It would be years before PokerStars would be allowed to re-enter the US market.

2016 – Today

• PokerStars continued to flourish on the international market and was purchased by Amaya Gaming in a massive $4.9 billion deal in 2014. Subsequently the first officially licensed online poker sites in the USA start to pop up in 2014.
• New Jersey became the first state to allow PokerStars back in 2016.
• In late 2019 Pennsylvania follows suit and allows PokerStars to officially open its doors to players in the state.

Will Online Poker Be Legal In Usa Free

Unfortunately, many other states remain a pipe dream and it will likely be decades before PokerStars is allowed to operate in the entirety of the USA.

Most American poker players want to be able to enjoy a friendly online poker game from the comfort of their own home without having to worry about any legal ramifications for doing so. The legalities surrounding online poker for United States residents is nothing short of confusing. And the fact that the legal landscape continues to change all the time doesn't make it any easier for players to make heads or tails out of the current laws that affect the gambling climate.

The good news is this is the exact reason why we've created www.legalbettingonline.com. We understand the challenges players face and have worked very hard to come up with an easy to follow and useful guide that can help players understand the current situation for legal online poker in the US.

While we are not lawyers and strongly recommend each player to seek out the advice of a professional attorney, for specific questions regarding gambling laws, we can offer some insight as to what is currently going on with legal online poker in America and how it affects USA players.

To sum it up, there are no gambling laws on the books that make playing online poker for real money illegal in the United States. The only exception to this is in Washington and Connecticut, which explicitly makes all online gambling of any kind unlawful in those states.

Current Legal Status Of Playing Online Poker In The United States

The current legal status for playing real money online poker in the United States continues to evolve every year. So far, Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania have launched state-regulated online poker gambling options to their residents and visitors. And we expect more states to come on board in the coming years. The only problem is you need to be physically present in one of those states in order to play at one of the state-regulated poker sites.

So what about all the other states who haven't yet legalized online poker? The good news is if you live in a region where state-run poker has not been legalized, (which is the vast majority of Americans) you still have viable options by playing at a legitimate online poker room that is operating legally offshore. There are no federal gambling laws prohibiting Americans from playing poker online through a legitimate poke site based outside of the United States.

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Ignition is the newest poker brand from the Bovada/Bodog group of online gambling websites - the most trusted name in online gambling.

We have listed the most reputable online poker rooms which support US players and international gamblers on this page, and only those sites operating legally within their respective jurisdictions are included here. The following online poker sites are each legally licensed and regulated (or are operating under the licensing of their parent company) and offer other legal online gambling options such as online casino action, sports betting, horse racing and more.

As for state-licensed online poker, legal options are available in the following states:

• Delaware
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania

However, you have to be physically present within one of those states to participate. Licensed and regulated offshore poker rooms (such as the ones you see on this page) are available to players in any US state. Keep in mind that the states of WA and CT do attempt to curtail online gambling, however, they have yet to enforce these laws in any way.

How Do I Know If Playing Poker Is Legal In My State?

Poker gambling laws vary from state to state. Some states offer state-regulated online and/or offline poker Multiple other gambling states offer licensed and regulated brick and mortar poker rooms but have not established a state-based online poker platform yet.

Currently, several states are having discussions about the legalization of online poker on a state level. It is up to you to verify whether or not the state in which you live regulates any type of poker gambling opportunities.

If you don't have access to state-regulated poker games, no worries – you can legally access one of the licensed and regulated offshore poker sites that accept US players recommended on this page. The only states that make it iffy to engage in licensed offshore poker gambling are Washington and Connecticut, both of which prohibit all forms of online gambling regardless of the source.

Are There Any US Federal Laws That I Need To Worry About When Seeking Internet Poker Gambling Opportunities?

It is always best to be aware of any federal statutes that govern poker gambling in the US. One example would be the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act). This law regulates how online gambling transactions can be processed. It caused a few problems initially, however, the dust has settled and most reputable online poker sites have learned to work within the confines of this law while still providing online poker access to US players.

Those sites that chose not to comply simply do not welcome US players as customers to their business. The law does not prohibit US poker players from enjoying legally licensed and regulated online poker that is based outside of the United States. The law is directed at online gambling operations and payment processors and does not affect players directly.

The Federal Wire Act prohibits state-regulated gambling businesses from accepting bets across state lines and does not prohibit players from playing real money poker games at online poker sites operating offshore.

Those are the primary federal gambling laws in the USA. The RAWA (Restoration of America’s Wire Act) may attempt to expand the reach of the Federal Wire Act to include casino and poker gambling. Currently, only sports betting is specifically prohibited by that law.

Common Misconception About The UIGEA Law And How It Affects Playing Online Poker In The US

Despite popular belief, this law does not make it illegal for US residents to engage in online poker. In fact, it doesn't target or address players at all. This law is designed to provide regulatory oversight regarding how online gambling transactions can be processed and is directed only to gambling site operators and payment processors.

While the UIGEA did cause quite a stir initially upon enactment, it did end up resulting in a safer and more legitimate online banking environment for the online gambling industry. You do not have to worry about violating this law unless you are the owner of an online gambling business or you are a gambling-related payment processor.

We do encourage extreme due diligence in selecting your preferred payment and withdrawal method when gambling online as well as an online poker room that employs the highest quality security profile according to licensing requirements and industry standards.

When Will Online Poker Be Legal On The Federal Level In The US?

Several different states are currently exploring the possibility of legalizing online poker for their residents. Simultaneously, Sheldon Adelson is running a hefty campaign to oppose such measures and has successfully delayed the progress of poker legalization in several states, including California.

It is impossible to say how fast or slow additional regions in the US are going to allow state-licensed online poker. However, in the meantime, the sites listed on this page are US friendly and legally sanctioned to provide their services to American poker players.

How Do I Know If A Poker Site Is Legitimate And Reputable?

That’s where we come in. We have carefully reviewed and vetted each poker site you see listed on this page, which includes verifying that they are legitimately licensed and subject to genuine regulatory oversight by a respected governing jurisdiction. We can assure you that any site you see featured on this page is indeed legally sanctioned.

We cannot say the same for any site not listed on this site. While we wish all gambling websites were completely transparent, gaining access to licensing and certification compliance information can sometimes be tricky. The key to keeping your poker activities lawful is to restrict your participation to only those destinations that are guaranteed to be operating legally within the industry as licensed and regulated businesses. All of the brands we recommend fall into this category.

What Types Of Games Will I Find At These Online Poker Rooms?

The sites recommended in this guide all offer a nice menu of games to choose from. While the specific lineup varies by site, you will find games such as Omaha, Texas Hold’em, and 7 Card Stud on just about every reputable poker site. Some also offer specialty games such as RAZ, HORSE, Caribbean poker, and others.

In addition, tournaments are offered around the clock, multi-table and multi-hand options are available, and you can play through a hand of poker much faster online than you could in a brick and mortar environment.

In most cases, your bonus money is earned based on your deposit but is then incrementally released as you play games. The more you play, the more of your free bonus money you release into your account. They handle bonus offers this way to keep players engaged enough so that they stick around.

Mobile poker apps are becoming the new norm for online poker players looking to lay down some cash on their game skills. Online poker has several perks over domestic poker tables, and when you add the convenience and multi-tabling options offered by online poker sites, there is no question on who has the advantage.

Mobile poker options often include downloadable web-apps that make it easier for players to sign in and get to the tables. Online players can choose between several different poker games, their seat at the table, and bet minimums.

Bonus options also apply to mobile players who frequent the virtual tables; however, welcome bonus funds can not be used for live dealer games. Bonus funds often include rollover requirements, so only serious players should accept an online poker bonus.

The Internet has also facilitated other popular forms of legalized online gambling, such as USA online sports betting, legal USA online casinos, and even legal USA bingo has moved to the world wide web.