US online poker operators have a unique set of laws and regulations. These states regulate the operation of online poker sites, which must operate within state boundaries. Federal law does not permit interstate operations. These regulations have spurred an ecosystem of software developers to help online poker sites meet application-specific requirements. These requirements range from identity verification, age verification, and financial services to cyber security, geolocation, and responsible gambling advocacy. Here’s a look at the different types of applications available for US online poker sites.
The background for US online poker regulation is the 1961 Federal Wire Act. This act was designed to prevent illegal sports betting through wire communications across state lines. The intent of the law was to prevent organized crime from spreading gambling operations. However, the law also had an unintended side effect. In some ways, it was a success. As a result, more states have legalized online poker and connected players through a multi-state network.
Another way to increase your chances of winning cash and tournaments is to play poker tournaments. Various poker sites offer various types of tournaments and offer various bonuses. Typically, a poker site will offer players a free tournament entry or cash in exchange for signing up. While these bonuses are rare outside the US, they are a great way to test the waters of online poker for free. In addition to the free cash, some US poker sites also offer no-deposit tournaments. These are a great way to get started with real money poker without putting your own money at risk.
While most US states have approved online poker, a few remain unregulated. Only a handful of states currently regulate online poker, including New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Nevada. Michigan is expected to follow suit soon. As the first three states to regulate online poker, New Jersey is a promising place to play the game. If the bill becomes law, New Jersey will have the highest concentration of poker players per capita in the country. This will allow for the expansion of online poker to other US states.
Legal US online poker sites are few and far between. However, some states have legalized online poker despite decades-old gambling laws. In addition to Delaware, New York, and Delaware are among the few states that have approved online poker. While Delaware is an early mover, its player pool is small and player numbers are limited. West Virginia, meanwhile, recently approved first gaming licenses to online poker operators. WV poker sites are still in the final stages of preparations.
Despite recent downswings in the online poker industry, New Jersey now has more online poker sites than any other US state. Seven sites are active, though some of them are simply skins of the same online poker networks. However, two sites launched in November 2013 closed quickly, and Betfair Poker NJ and UltimatePoker NJ followed. WSOP NJ, meanwhile, gained popularity due to its name recognition. While this may not be a good sign for the industry, it’s still a good sign for New Jersey poker players.
