It should also be noted that it has to be done separately for each state that allows its residents to play online poker.Įach operator that wishes to offer online poker also has to enter a partnership with an approved land-based casino within the state borders in order to gain a valid license as interactive gaming operator. This procedure is conducted on a case-by-case basis and requires an intensive audit of all business assets. In order to officially run their business on US soil, the operators have to be licensed and sanctioned by the respective State Gaming Authorities. The so-called “interactive gaming reciprocal agreement” has to be approved by the Governor and signed into law for each state.

There is no federal law that allows online poker throughout the entire country but, instead, individual state laws have been implemented to regulate online gambling. The current shape of online poker offerings on US soil are heavily influenced by the interpretation of the Wire Act and the aftermath of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act ( UIGEA). What constitutes a legal online poker site in the United States? An online poker room must be partnered with a land-based casino.Online poker rooms must have the correct license via the state government.Here at Poker Shield, we aim to make things easy for you by giving you all the information you need to make good choices when it comes to picking a safe, legal, and trustworthy online poker room.įirst of all, let’s clarify what exactly constitutes a legal online poker room in the United States and what makes something regulated or not regulated. Online poker is now legal and regulated in six states in the United States, but it can be confusing to understand where you can play, what is safe and what is risky, and how to best choose a site.

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