Is Online Poker illegal in the US? What's really going on?

There are some interesting things going on in the world of
online poker. For starters let's clarify what the current
law is in the US regarding online poker. The only thing
that is currently illegal in the US in regards to online
poker has to do with financial institutions (banks). In a
nutshell, it is illegal for banks and processing companies
in the US to process transactions related to online gaming
period. A gaming site operator could also go down for
aiding and abetting.

A U.S. online poker player has never been prosecuted for
playing online poker. There are still at least four large
online poker rooms that still take bets from US players.
Those rooms are Full tilt Poker, Poker Stars, Ultimate
bet, and Bodog. The funny thing is that these poker rooms
have endorsed players that you still see all over the
television. Like, Jamie Gold, Joe Hachem, Chris
Moneymaker, Phil Ivey, Howard Lederer, and many more. These
online poker companies are private which allows them to
avoid much scrutiny in the public eye.

It's amazing. I am playing poker on Bodog right now as I
am writing this article. I used my ATM visa debit card to
make a deposit on Bodog. The transaction was instantly
approved by my US Bank. The bank I use is called U.S. Bank.

In essence, the UIGEA poker ban passed on October 13th,
2007 has had a very small impact on US poker players.
Ironically, the US online poker market has been
consolidated into the hands of a few wealthy people and
companies. The online poker rooms still exist and the ones
like Poker stars that still take US players have grown by
several hundred percent or more overnight.

There appears to be no end in sight to US poker. Online
poker is a multi -billion dollar a year industry, and the
US market only accounts for 50% of it. Regardless of the
US laws on the book, there is nothing federally illegal
about a US citizen placing a poker wager online. There are
11 states whom have laws against it, so you should check
the laws in your jurisdiction before ever making a wager of
any kind online.

Ironically, it is also possible for a US citizen to own
part or all of a online poker room providing the company
isn't based in the US and that the company does not take
wagers from US players. There are many legal opportunities
to get involved in this immense market for any person in
any country.

The much anticipated UIGEA court hearing to repeal the US
law has been pushed up to September 26th 2007. The case is
being filed by iMEGA. The defendants are the U.S.
Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission and the
Federal Reserve Board of Governors - all agreed to the date
change. The reason for delay is that the defendants asked
for more time to prepare their case.

Time will only tell as it appears the courts' decision and
ruling could go either way.

----------------------------------------------------
Learn more about the online poker and gaming industry. Find
the latest news and advancements in the worlds most
exciting game.
http://www.pokerroomstartup.com