Is Online Poker Legal in Your State?
While many poker sites accept credit cards, others only accept U.S. dollars. If you’re new to online poker, consider creating a virtual bank account. The bank account is used to deposit funds into online poker sites. If you win or lose, the money from your virtual bank account is deducted from your player account. Then, you can use the money to deposit into other poker sites. It’s worth the extra effort because it increases your profit per hour of poker play.
The software that online poker sites use to track players’ locations is called geolocation software. All legal US online poker apps ask for permission before installing this software, a key factor in ensuring that the player is playing in the appropriate jurisdiction. These websites have a duty to protect players’ information and keep it confidential. But there are risks to using geolocation software. The software may be tampered with, and so, it’s important to be careful about what you download.
A legal bill to legalize online poker in New York was reintroduced in 2020 by Sen. Joseph Addabbo. It would have authorized 11 online poker sites in the state for 10 years. Pennsylvania and New Jersey currently collect 15% of the online poker market. While the bill is unlikely to pass in either the current or future legislature, the legislation has some support. Recently, a bill was introduced in the Senate that passed 54-8 but was ultimately killed by a House committee.
Legal US online poker sites are highly recommended for those living in the US. These sites provide a wider selection of games and player pools. Some US online poker sites have higher traffic than those located abroad. If the site is not in the legal state, it’s unlikely to be regulated. In addition, legal US online poker sites are required to be run by a US company, even if they’re operated by international brands. Therefore, they’re legally responsible for all their actions in the US.
Although legal in many US states, there are still some challenges to legalizing online poker in your state. Before the online poker industry takes off in New Jersey, you’ll need to get a gaming license in order to play. Delaware’s online poker site is powered by 888poker software. West Virginia also made online poker legal in 2019 and has begun issuing gaming licenses to online poker operators. As of writing, the first WV poker sites are getting ready to open.
Ignition Poker also offers players the option to play anonymously. Unless you’re playing anonymously, playing online poker under a username gives your opponents the opportunity to track you. This also protects new players from shark-infested waters. In addition, players at Ignition are not able to use Heads-Up Displays. If you prefer to play with a partner, you might want to check out Ignition Poker.