Legal US Online Poker Sites
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"I want to find
legal poker sites to play online for real money. Where can I
go?"
First of all, let me preface this
response by assuring you that I am not an attorney and do not
pretend to provide any sort of legal advice. However, the simple
truth is that online gambling is, and always has been, in a gray
legal area. More specifically, the laws surrounding strictly online
poker site operators have never been clarified.
Despite the fact that the US government
occasionally decides to pursue legal action against offshore
sportsbetting sites, there has never been a single documented case
of a US resident being prosecuted for playing online poker.
Even if some antiquated law against betting exists in random cities
and states, it has never been enforced. As long as players pay taxes
on all of their income, both gambling and otherwise, the government
has little concern with what you do with your own money online.
So, what was all the fuss about when the
Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act was signed into law? The
most important conclusion is that it had nothing to do with whether
or not legal poker sites for US players still existed. The UIGEA
tries to enforce restrictions on the way banks do business with
online gambling sites.
The corrupt 11th hour passing of this
bill makes it more difficult for poker players to fund their
accounts but, fortunately, numerous easy methods still exist for
hard-working tax-paying citizens to spend their money how they see
fit. There are plenty of poker sites legal in their respective jurisdiction to
choose from.
What Makes a "Legal Poker
Site"?
Unfortunately, until the hypocritical
domestic laws are changed in the US, no online gambling site (poker
or otherwise) is going to be stamped with a seal of approval from
the DOJ. However, as I've tried to cover above, simply playing at
these sites isn't illegal. What I consider to be a legal poker site
is one that complies with independent random number generator
testing agencies and is certified by its relevant home government.
All of the poker sites we link to fall under that category.
Another positive is that the countries
hosting our listed online poker sites aren't third-world tax havens
handing out certifications to any shady outfit with a big wallet.
Many legal poker sites are owned and operated out of Canada, Great
Britain, the Netherlands, or one of their territories. Those certainly aren't
governments with lax rules about who they do business with. The US
is way behind the times when it comes to the optimal way to handle
online gambling: regulate the games to ensure they're honest,
implement safeguards for underage and problem gambling, and tax the
revenues to go towards other civil services.
Where Can You Play Online
Poker Easily and Safely from the US?
Below, I've listed my top suggestions
for US players looking to safely play online poker for real money.
Besides the regulations that these sites abide by, one of the most
important issues US players face is easily depositing and
withdrawing from their accounts. The following sites all have viable
banking methods. Finally, keep in mind that these are only legal poker
sites in their own jurisdictions so you should check with your
local laws prior to playing for real money.
SPORTSBOOK POKER - Overall, I've been very pleased with the
revamped
Sportsbook Poker package. Interestingly, they only offer
real money games to US players. In terms of easy deposits,
this is one of the only legal poker sites to accept US
credit cards block-free. At
Sportsbook Poker, even mainstream bank cards that have been
rejected at other poker rooms are processed successfully
using the built-in cashier system. This site is regulated by
the Maltese government and has won numerous "Best of" US
gaming site awards.
Best aspects: strong traffic, awful players, regulated, US credit
cards accepted.
Read full review...
US Credit Cards Are Not Blocked
Our Exclusive Bonus:
100%
up to $1,000 + 10% instantly
Visit Sportsbook Poker
BODOG
- One of the more popular mainstays in the US market has
been
Bodog. Once
considered a new and niche poker site,
Bodog is now
one of the more popular cash game destinations. Licensed in
both the UK and Canada, this combination sportsbook/casino/poker
room is as close to a legal poker site as you can get.
Bodog also offers
an exclusive deposit system using your existing credit card.
Positives:
loose player base, instant cash bonus, licensed in two countries.
Read full review...
Our Exclusive Bonus:
100% up
to $500 + 10% instantly
Visit
Bodog Poker
POKERSTARS
-
PokerStars has now become the largest online poker room in the world thanks
to its continued support of the US market.
PokerStars could also be considered a legal poker site because
of its poker-only stance and its regulation by one of the
largest gaming boards in Canada.
PokerStars has always been revered for its honest games, sharp
software, and large player base. If poker sites are able to
obtain a legal license from the US in the future,
PokerStars would probably be one of the first to obtain one.
Positives:
highest poker traffic, regulated, tons of tournaments. Read full review...
Our Exclusive Bonus:
100% up to $50
Visit PokerStars
SUPERBOOK POKER - One of the strongest new legal US poker
sites in terms of promotions is
Superbook
Poker, which is open to all US players. This network has
been active since 1996 making it one of the oldest gaming
networks online.
Superbook
Poker is also licensed and regulated by the Netherlands
Antilles government, specifically located on the island of
Curacao. New players will also have little trouble funding
their accounts as
Superbook
Poker processed US credit and debit cards with a
near-100% acceptance rate.
Best aspects: legal gaming license, large bonus, all US credit cards
accepted. Read full review...
US Credit Cards Are Not Blocked
Our Exclusive Bonus:
200% up to
$500 + 10% instantly
Visit
Superbook Poker
FULL TILT POKER - One of the best-known online poker rooms
still open to US players is
Full Tilt
Poker. They have the largest and most respected number of
professionals and are a poker-only operation. This site has
an enormous player base thanks to its aggressive marketing
which means you'll find plenty of tournaments and ring games
active. With plenty of payment options and a license from a
Canadian gaming board,
Full Tilt
Poker is another strong choice.
Positives:
most professionals, large bonus, good software. Read full review...
Our Exclusive Bonus:
100% up to
$600
Visit Full
Tilt Poker
PLAYERS ONLY POKER - Another no-brainer choice for easy
deposits is
Players
Only Poker, which serves US players and their credit
cards without being blocked. Because of its regulation and
ability to process credit cards, many consider
Players
Only Poker to be a legal poker site in proper
jurisdictions.
Positives: seamless credit card deposits, loose tables, large bonus. Read full review...
US Visa and
Mastercard Deposits Are Not Blocked
Our Exclusive Bonus:
100% up
to $1,000 + 10% instantly
Visit
Players Only Poker
ULTIMATE BET - Almost a decade old,
Ultimate Bet
has been one of the most trusted names for online poker
players since the beginning. They're also licensed,
regulated, and tested by a Canadian gaming board.
Ultimate Bet
shows no signs of abandoning the US market.
Positives:
licensed and regulated, trusted name, large bonus.
Read full review...
Our Exclusive Bonus:
100% up
to $650
Visit
Ultimate Bet
ABSOLUTE POKER - Finally,
Absolute Poker
is now run by the same folks as UB meaning that they have
the same regulations and licensing as their online poker
cousin.
Absolute Poker
always runs a large amount of promotions and also seems to
be committed to the US market.
Positives:
endless promotions, independently tested, reload bonuses.
Read full review...
Our Exclusive Bonus:
100%
up to $500
Visit Absolute
Poker
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