With more states becoming aware of the growing popularity of online poker, more are considering legalizing the game. Although it is not yet legal in all states, the revenue results in states like Pennsylvania and New Jersey are significant. Moreover, as more states become aware of the revenue benefits, more of them will be joining the multi-state network to facilitate the legal online poker market. Read on to find out more about the legal status of online poker in your state.
Freerolls
The first thing to remember about freerolls in online poker is that they are not necessarily for real money. The money that is awarded during freerolls is usually in the form of prize money. However, some freerolls are only available to players who have registered with the poker room. Hence, if you’re new to the game, it might be beneficial to register for these tournaments. In addition to this, freerolls help new players get some practice in playing poker before registering to bigger tournaments.
One of the main reasons that poker sites offer freerolls is to introduce new players to the game. Many big-name players in the poker world began their poker careers by playing freerolls. The poker sites that exist today were not available when these players started playing, so many of them played their first freeroll tournaments. Once they won, they never looked back. In fact, many of them still play freerolls as their first tournaments.
No-deposit bonuses
No-deposit bonuses for online poker are offered by many online poker sites as a way to entice new players to try out their games. They are offered as free money that a player can use to build their bankroll. The aim of this free money is to encourage new players to try out the game and to encourage them to make more deposits as they get more comfortable. However, it’s important to remember that no deposit bonuses are only offered to new players, and this shouldn’t be the sole criterion.
There are many benefits to receiving a no-deposit bonus. These bonuses are beneficial to all players, and it is a good idea to take advantage of them as often as possible. However, don’t expect them to be huge amounts of cash, or even access to the full game lobby. Instead, take the time to sign up for an account and use the bonus funds – you never know, you might find your new favorite online poker room.
Offshore sites
Offshore poker sites aren’t as regulated as US-based casinos, but they are still a viable option for players from the US. In the United States, only poker sites licensed and regulated by the government are allowed to operate. In addition, only three states currently allow online poker, so more options are needed for American poker fans. Since US-based jurisdictions aren’t regulated, offshore poker sites take transparency very seriously.
In the US, many offshore poker sites accept credit cards, which are convenient because they allow instant deposits. However, some card-issuing banks will refuse to process transactions from these offshore sites, so you may want to consider using a cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin. Cryptocurrencies have the advantage of being decentralized and don’t involve third-party banks. Similarly, other forms of payment, such as eWallets, wire transfers, and gift cards, are available for deposits and withdrawals. Offshore poker sites are also mobile-compatible. Using a mobile website or app is especially convenient, but desktop sites tend to have a greater focus on US players.
Regulation of online poker in the U.S.
The debate over online gambling is still far from over, but the UIGEA, or Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, is a hot topic in the legal world. It was passed in 2006 and signed into law two weeks later, making it illegal for banks to process payments for sites that engaged in illegal gambling. The UIGEA forced most publicly traded sites to leave the US market, but some returned later when states regulated online poker.
Before the UIGEA, players in the U.S. could only play poker online if they deposited and withdrew from offshore platforms. This caused a ban on US banks from processing payments linked to online gambling. While this law largely prevented online poker from expanding in the United States, it did result in some online poker sites shutting down and being forced to switch locations. In response, some companies, such as Party Poker, were forced to close their U.S. sites, while others stayed in the country. Moreover, a federal judge ruled that poker is a game of luck and skill, and therefore, online poker isn’t illegal under federal law. In fact, in 2012, Nevada was the first state to pass a law regulating online poker.
