Is internet poker illegal in the United States?

Answer 1

Illegal.Currently playing Poker on the internet is not legal nor illegal in the United States. In 1961 Congress implemented the Wire Act (57) as part of a anti-racketeering initiative. This act was implemented before the advent of the internet but did address and make unlawful organizations that transferred monies by wire for the sole intent of making or accepting bets or wagers. No casual bettor has been convicted under this statute. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) was passed on october 2006. While the title of this bill implies that there is a focus on the act of on-line gambling, the only real illegality is in the transfer of funds between financial institutions and the on-line gaming entities. Currently it is not illegal to play poker on-line but it is illegal to transfer money from your financial institution directlyto an on-line poker account. With that being said, many on-line poker rroms have worked around the UIGEA by utilizing intermediary financial institutions to transfer funds between financial institutions and the on-line poker rooms.