If you're asking yourself, "Is online poker legal in USA now?" then there is good news for you. It is lawful, but technically only in a few states. Many offshore establishments no longer cater to people from North America due in part to the UIGEA which was passed in 2006, but there are a few states that have decided to allow it independently, nonetheless.

Is Online Poker Legal in USA Now?

This is the question everyone in the States seems to be asking themselves. The short answer is yes, but as you may have imagined, things are still complicated in the realm of legit online poker and gambling in general. The original applicable legislation was the Federal Wire Act of 1961, which banned interstate and foreign wagering with the use of any wire device (such as a telephone or the Internet). Things changed in 2011, when the attorneys of the Justice Department released a statement that the 1961 law only applies to sports betting. This was confirmed by the findings of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. So, if you're asking yourself "Is Online Poker Legal in USA now?" you should keep in mind that the Federal Wire Act no longer bears any credence.

Lawfulness

In 2006, Congress passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), legislation that directly attacked the Internet gaming industry which also included card rooms. This law made it illegal for financial institutions to process payments to and from online companies. Many sites completely backed out of the United States market because of this big piece of legislation. This law doesn't make it illegal for you to gamble online, however. Fortunately, this is no longer the case in three states. Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey have made such gambling available although individuals can only participate in establishments based in those states.

Who's Affected?

While you don't have to worry about the lawfulness of gaming in the virtual world, that doesn't mean the current rules and regulations won't affect you. The far-reaching effects of the UIGEA make it much more challenging for US players to complete their credit card deposits and withdrawals. While successful banking transactions can never be guaranteed, there are some sites out there that have proven their worth. These have been around for a number of years and continue to cater to people worldwide.