Is Online Poker Legal?

Is It Legal to Play Online Poker?

The laws are different in each state, province, and country. Some states in the United States of America have authorized online gambling and online poker within their state only. WSOP.com is a huge online Poker site which only operates in the US State of Nevada.

Other states information:

ALASKA

Chance: 5% chance of legalization on the state level by the end of 2018.
Legal Pros: The state has multiple forms of poker on land and boats. Poker is extremely popular at pari-mutuals.

Legal Cons: Law 849.14 was recently passed prohibiting poker on any electronic device.

Summary:

Florida’s online law was poorly written and clearly made protectionist for the land based poker rooms. Land operators will have to see the value in online poker and have laws written in their favor – bribery. Maybe in the next 1-2 years the laws will be changed due to the large population and the many who play poker.

GEORGIA

Chance: 5% chance of legalization on the state level by the end of 2018.
Legal Pros: The state has multiple forms of poker on land and boats. Poker is extremely popular at pari-mutuals.

Legal Cons: Law 849.14 was recently passed prohibiting poker on any electronic device.

Summary:

Florida’s online law was poorly written and clearly made protectionist for the land based poker rooms. Land operators will have to see the value in online poker and have laws written in their favor – bribery. Maybe in the next 1-2 years the laws will be changed due to the large population and the many who play poker.

GEORGIA

Chance: 5% chance of legalization on the state level by the end of 2018.
Legal Pros: There are currently no discussions or bills in the works for legalization.
Legal Cons: Kentucky is serious about not allowing people within their state to play poker over the net. There are a 140+ poker websites that are not allowed to accept players from Kentucky.

Summary:

If Kentucky ever passes legalized intrastate poker, they most likely will be in the last handful of states to do so with their strict rules and regulations currently in place. 60% chance it’s 4-5 years away from coming to the state.
MONTANA
Chance: 10% chance of legalization on the state level by the end of 2018.
Legal Pros: Although restrictions are in place for playing poker for real money over the computer.

Summary:

Although state officials are looking into legalizing internet poker, it seems unlikely anything will get passed and put into place in the very near future; their laws are just too strict and detailed at the moment and would need to be seriously altered. 65% chance it’s 3-4 years away from coming to the state as interstate poker.
OKLAHOMA
Chance: 15% chance of legalization on the state level by the end of 2018.
Legal Pros: They currently offer legal online games to their citizens, lottery games, so they already have an understanding and system in place when it comes to playing poker over the net. For example, they specifically mention that it is illegal to play poker for real money over the computer within the state, it’s only a partial crime and the current laws do not regulate it as a whole.
Legal Cons: The Attorney General in Kansas issued poker over the internet as an illegal form of gambling in 1996, and restrictions are placed on gambling from computers within the state.

Summary:

Kansas officials go back and forth on this issue and their current laws reflect the same. 65% chance it’s 3-4 years away from coming to the state.
CONNECTICUT
Chance: 15% chance of legalization on the state level in 2018.
Legal Pros: A gambling activity, such as poker, is considered illegal if something of value is risked upon a contest of chance. The pro about this is poker is often considered a game of “skill” and not “chance” which could help make a strong case in a court of law if needed.
Legal Cons: Missouri has a definition of a “professional poker player” in their law which is someone who has earned a minimum of 20% of their yearly income in any of the last 5 years, which is considered a class D felony.

Summary:

With Missouri’s strict gambling laws in place it appears they will be in the back end of states regulating internet poker. 60% chance it’s 3-4 years away from coming to the state as interstate poker.
ARIZONA
Chance: 15% chance of legalization on the state level in 2018.
Legal Pros: Colorado is very liberal and often giving with controversial issues, such as legalizing marijuana which they passed. It might just be a matter of time before they change their stance on regulating internet poker and incorporating it into their laws.
Legal Cons: State statute Section 18-10-102(2) could include online poker as an illegal form of gambling in Colorado since it includes the verbiage “gambling device” depending on how the law is interpreted.

Summary:

They are pretty firm on their stance that if a gambling activity is not mentioned in their law as legal it is considered illegal, which could include playing poker over the internet, but the future looks promising. 60% chance it’s 2-3 years away from coming to the state.
MINNESOTA
Chance: 15% chance of legalization on the state level by the end of 2018.
Legal Pros: Bills have been written and pushed for approval, but no final vote approval has been made just yet.
Legal Cons: Governor Quinn has vetoed bill SB 1739 and mentioned he will not approve any gaming legislation, including online poker, until ethical standards, comprehensive oversight and dedicated resources for education are met. But, a positive is he is no longer Governor.

Summary:

Illinois appears to be on the right path for getting approval. Many state representatives are in favor of regulated poker online, but a few still need to be persuaded.