Although the Internet has made online poker more accessible to players throughout the world, the United States still has a long way to go before all states legalize it. This new legislation – the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act – was passed in 2006 and combined with the Federal Wire Act of 1961, which was originally intended to stop sports betting by wire communications between states. In other words, it essentially outlawed online gambling. But, with many interpretations and legal loopholes, online poker sites are thriving and many are in the process of establishing their own state-based websites.
When looking for a poker site, one of the most important factors to consider is the currency. Players from the US should avoid conversion altogether as this process often results in poor results. However, you should not let this put you off completely, as the currency used is often a major factor in determining the reliability of a particular poker site. Therefore, most US players will not convert money and avoid using other currencies as their primary currency. Here are a few tips to help you make a decision about which currency to use:
In addition to the legal aspects, online poker sites have to be safe from hacking. These hackers can use bots and “superusers” to take advantage of new players and win at poker games. However, this kind of hacking is unlikely to be done by the poker site itself and will likely be done by a person with the knowledge and means to do so. Therefore, it’s essential to be realistic about any online poker site’s legal requirements and make sure to check their terms and conditions before signing up.