Many states have legalized online poker and some are considering regulating it as well. These laws are largely at the state level, and operators must obtain licenses in each jurisdiction in order to operate. Generally, only players from regulated states can participate in online idn play poker tournaments for real money. However, this does not necessarily mean that only Americans can participate in online poker tournaments. Anyone can register and play on a regulated website if they physically reside in the state.
There are a few different legalities associated with online poker. Some states have passed legislation legalizing poker, while others have banned it. Currently, there are only four states that have approved online poker. In addition, online poker is illegal in the USA in several other countries. Online poker is not allowed in the US due to the federal law known as the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), which outlaws most forms of gambling online.
Delaware was the first state to legalize online poker. This legislation allowed online poker to be offered on gaming sites operated by Dover Downs, Delaware Park, and Harrington Raceway. 888poker software powers these sites. In 2019, West Virginia made online poker legal and is in the process of issuing gaming licenses to online poker operators. The first WV online poker site will be available by early October. However, there is no specific timeline for launching these sites.