Unlike some states, Alaskans are in the clear for real-money internet card games. A state-approved online poker room is unlikely to become a huge source of revenue for state lotteries. However, for those with secondary residences in Alaska, the potential for online gambling may be there.
The US has a well-developed online poker market, but it is limited to only a handful of states. In fact, only three states have legal rights to host poker sites. These states are Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey. The legality of internet poker was an issue because the federal Wire Act was interpreted to apply to all forms of online gambling. However, this statute has since been modified to apply only to sports betting, and online poker wagering is now outside of the federal government’s purview.
Aside from the legality of online gambling, Alaskans have a well-rounded menu of internet poker rooms to choose from. Some sites, like BetOnline, have been successful with their casual players and pros alike. Others, such as Ignition Poker, cater to the more serious poker player, offering a variety of cash game and tournament options. Ignition Poker has a monthly million-dollar GTD. Ignition Poker also boasts of having a high-tech website that allows players to play in real time, from anywhere. The company offers an online poker school, along with turbos, sit-and-go tournaments, and other perks.
The online poker industry has made a big splash in recent years. Several online gaming firms have retained expert legal counsel to minimize the risk of legal trouble. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many of the world’s live poker rooms to close their doors, a move that is causing a huge boost in online poker traffic. The newest iteration of poker software has several useful features, including a hand database and quizzes that allow players to learn a little bit about themselves.
The best part about playing poker online is that it allows for a far greater variety of hands per hour than live poker. For example, Ignition Poker boasts of allowing players to play up to 15 cash games at once. This is a huge advantage, especially when playing with a large group of opponents. When playing online, players can also be more flexible about stakes. A casino player with a 5% win rate earns a modest $4 an hour, while an online poker player can log ten times more hands in the same amount of time.
The other cool thing about playing online poker is that players are not penalized for making deposits. Many sites convert funds at a fraction of the cost of banks. Also, some sites offer free money play, which is a great way to practice and improve your game without risking real money. This feature is especially useful for beginners.
Another interesting tidbit is that Alaskans are not the only ones to make the oh-so-common mistake of comparing the size of their bankrolls to that of the average American. Many players mistakenly believe that they have to use a US-based poker site, when in fact they can use foreign platforms. This can be a problem when comparing currencies.
