Online Poker – What Happened in 2016?
If you’re an experienced card player, you know that online poker can be an excellent way to earn money. There are countless pros and amateurs who play poker for fun and for money. To win at poker, however, you have to have a few basic tips in mind. First of all, you must be patient and devote the time necessary to learn the game and practise your skills. You should never bet more money than you can afford to lose.
Security: Online poker sites use advanced security technology to keep your money safe. They ensure that your identity and sensitive information are secure. Nevertheless, some people claim that the game is “rigged” or “fixed,” but this is largely untrue. Many of these players are simply not very skilled. In addition, they often make bogus claims and don’t play very well. Those who do complain about security should stay away from these sites.
Variety: The number of games available in online poker is infinite. Players are free to try any type of poker they’d like, including cash games. Online poker is faster than live games and has more information than live games. Players can play multiple games at once. And online poker is accessible at all times of the day. You can make more money with online poker, allowing you to play more hands each day. There are also fewer people to deal with, which is another advantage.
Legislation: In 2016, the state legislature largely ignored the online poker movement, but the new administration seemed more willing to hear arguments made by opponents of the practice. Although the 114th Congress did not pass legislation for online poker, several state legislatures are exploring bills that would allow online gambling. This should be a good year for online poker. There is a chance that the federal government will again consider banning online poker, as it did with sports gambling in 2016.
Regulatory framework: While there are many hurdles to overcome, online poker is not completely legal in every state. In 2016, the Senate’s Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee approved online poker legislation, but the State Assembly did not take action. This year, however, four states have passed legislation that allows online poker. These include Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. There are also plans to legalize online poker in Michigan and West Virginia.
UIGEA: The 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act made it illegal for banks in the United States to process payments for online poker sites. Although the law was vague, it did not explicitly ban online poker. However, several major poker websites left the U.S. in 2011 because they were accused of money laundering and bank fraud. In 2012, a federal judge ruled that online poker is a game of skill and luck and that there was no legal way to ban it. This ruling has helped legalize online poker in several states.
Several federal statutes are ambiguous and have the potential to ban online gaming. The IGBA and UIGEA both cover online poker. The 1961 Wire Act also has the potential to prohibit sports betting and poker. Nonetheless, state laws are more ambiguous than the federal laws. Therefore, online poker sites in these states should be cautious when looking for licensing licenses. Once the regulatory framework is established, more online poker operators can focus on the lucrative business.