The topic of whether online poker is
legal or illegal is frankly quite interesting.
Typically, gambling is managed by each
individual state, and as a result some
states have legalized gambling and casinos
and others do not. However, the internet
is not something that can be managed by
each state because it is global, there
are no controls so to speak by individual
countries, states, or governments on the
Internet because it is like another world.
But, back to the legality of poker online,
a question that has no answer or many
answers depending on how you look at it.
There is no precedent set for gambling
online, as a result there is no way to
say that gambling online is legal, illegal,
or none of the above. In fact, you could
answer yes, no, or maybe, and be just
as right with any of these answers. The
Wire Act is one issues people say that
makes gambling online illegal because
it bans gambling by phone, however there
is no precedent set that makes this statement
valid regarding Internet gambling. As
a result, while there are plenty of ways
to infer gambling online is illegal, there
is no way to prove so until a precedent
is set. Setting a legal precedent requires
someone being charged with playing online
poker and then being found guilty. As
of yet, not one single American soul out
of the millions who play online poker
each and every day has ever been charged,
fined, or convicted of this act.
You might find this information not very
helpful because your question is whether
or not you can safely play poker online
and not worry about breaking the law or
being subjected to prosecution or fines
of any type. Well, there is no outright
answer, which favors playing poker online
because there is nothing saying you absolutely
cannot play poker online. Even if your
state does not have legalized gambling
or casinos, you can still play poker online
and not worry about the authorities catching
you and giving you a ticket. At the moment
in time, finding all the online poker
players, and fining them is not the main
goal of states, and until there is some
definitive statement regarding online
poker you should play your heart away.
Additionally, the fact that no legal precedent
exists regarding online poker means you
really have nothing to worry about.
However, if you are really concerned
about the legality, or illegality, of
playing poker online you should play and
keep your ear out for any new information
on the subject, or else avoid the game
altogether because if you are so worried
about the legality of online poker you
won't really be able to enjoy playing
the game.
Online Poker Beginnings Poker and gambling
has been popular for years, however many
states have outlawed the activity relegating
die hard fans to travel to the likes of
Las Vegas, Atlantic City, or even the
Cherokee Reservation in North Carolina
to play their beloved game. However, not
everyone can afford to travel to one of
these destinations to play poker, nor
do individuals have the time to do so
on a regular basis. So, what was the average
person who loved poker supposed to do
if his buddies couldn't play one Saturday
night? Before online poker there were
few options, now, no matter where you
live you can play poker online to your
hearts desire. You can play at night,
in the morning, while eating lunch, or
working as well. Online poker allows you
to play your favorite game whenever and
wherever you like!
At first, people thought this was an
amazing idea, but they were also very
cautious as well because the Internet
was new, there was little understanding
on how one could actually win money in
an online poker game and then receive
the money, there was mistrust, and simply
confusion. But, the poker websites started
offering security measures, large bonuses,
and benefits for online players and little
by little individuals started playing
poker online.
The first players of online poker shared
their success stories with friends and
family members, as well as boasting about
the security measures and the safety of
playing online. This word of mouth advertising
in addition to the advertising by the
online poker sites really attracted new
players and now in just a few short years
online poker sites are some of the most
popular sites on the web and there are
people who play online poker every single
day. If you had asked poker players 20
years ago what they thought of playing
poker at home on a computer rather than
in the casino you probably would have
gotten some really strange looks and resounding
negative responses. However, the age of
the Internet has changed people and whether
it is shopping, paying bills, or playing
poker online the Internet is making everything
easier and more accessible to the masses.
Before, poker was a game of the wealthy
who had the money to spend on a long vacation
to a poker hot spot. Now, poker is a game
of the every day man or woman that enjoys
a hand of poker, but has neither the time
nor the money to travel all over the country
to play.
This huge growth in online poker is what
has so many people worried about the legality
of it and whether or not laws will be
passed to regulate online pokers sites.
While the future is unknown regarding
online poker sites and whether they will
be considered legal, illegal, or just
another website remains to be seen, but
until then simply log on to your favorite
online gambling website and play to your
hearts desire.
This article was posted on November
12, 2005
