While many states are still considering banning online poker, New Yorkers who support this industry have steadfast advocates in the legislature. Assemblyman Addabbo took up the torch after Bonacic retired in 2019. The other legislators, Pretlow and Vanel, have also acted positively toward online poker legislation. Governor Cuomo has retreated from his earlier stance and now supports online poker. In fact, he even endorsed the idea in 2020.
While few US-accepted online poker sites remain, offshore sites are growing in popularity. As a result, only a few states have fully regulated the online poker market. But there’s a chance that Michigan and West Virginia will soon follow suit and regulate online poker. So what’s the next step? The US government is stepping up efforts to regulate online poker. Let’s take a closer look. The newest legislation is likely to be approved within the next few months.
There are two basic types of online poker players. The first category is the grinder, who typically plays No Limit Texas Holdem at a 6 Max table. This limit limits the number of players to six. Professional poker players, on the other hand, often play up to four tables at the same time. While the poker room is a big place, the poker network is much smaller than the poker room itself. Therefore, players need to choose the poker site that suits their needs best.
Regulation is a big issue for online poker in the US. While there are offshore sites that offer poker services, regulated sites offer players many benefits. Because poker is regulated at the state level, it must be licensed in each individual state. Licensed poker sites must comply with all US laws and regulations. And, once licensed, players from these states can play for real money. The US government also has laws that prevent online poker from operating illegally in any state.
The biggest obstacle for US online poker to grow would be its regulatory framework. In the past, countries would segregate their markets, ban international operators, and require players to pay taxes and licensing fees. Now, France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain have regulated their markets. Meanwhile, Germany, Slovenia, and South America are in various stages of regulatory process. With all the regulations, it is difficult for US online poker players to decide which website to join.
Moreover, players should consider the safety of playing online poker in the US. Regulation requires online poker sites to request players’ personal information. In the US, players must complete a registration process to play for real money. In some cases, players can play with their mobile devices by downloading an app for poker. While this may be a great option for those who want to play on the go, most players will eventually want to make a real money deposit.
In the past year, several online poker sites have been subject to legal issues. A recent crackdown on illegal online gambling seized the domain names of several online poker websites. Consequently, players’ bankrolls were frozen. Some companies acted in a deceptive manner and took millions from players. These companies have since ceased operations. The US Department of Justice is still investigating, but online poker is not explicitly legal in New York. However, it is important to note that some states have passed online poker laws.