Making Online Poker Legal in the US

For many years now, online gambling, particularly online poker; has been banned in the United States.  You will often see online casinos or online poker sites with a disclaimer stating that US players are not accepted in their respective sites.

This limits the market reach of the online casinos; and likewise takes away the privilege of US residents to enjoy their poker games online.  While much has been said about this prohibition; and many debates have already taken place about the pros and cons of online gambling; the fact remains that US residents are restricted from playing online poker — something that not everyone is happy about.

SENATOR MENENDEZ AND HIS BILL ON ONLINE POKER

Robert Menendez, a New Jersey Senator, has taken it upon himself to end the debate over whether online poker should ever be allowed to be played within the United States jurisdiction.  The Senator's Internet Poker and Games of Skill Regulation, Protection and Enforcement Act proposes that online poker, among others, be made legal in the United States provided that the stipulations disclosed within the Bill be followed.

The Bill aims at not only providing additional profit for the government but more importantly, to look after the well-being of US players who intermittently sneak into illegal online gambling sites in order to play poker and other casino games.

There has been many an offshore online gambling site that has accepted US players without the consent of the US government thereby promoting illegal gambling among US residents.

PROTECTING MINORS FROM ILLEGAL GAMBLING

The Bill's stipulations cover safeguarding minors from online gambling, thereby appeasing the parents of these children who early on get hooked on gambling.  With online poker being regulated by the government, minors cannot easily gain access to online gambling sites, online poker in particular.

Restrictions mandated by the government as included in the Bill to legalize online poker will ensure that all online gambling activities will be monitored and as such, crackdown on illegal gambling especially by minors.

Furthermore, those wishing to be allowed to operate within US jurisdiction will have to go through a crucial process to ensure that only sites that are operating legally will be given permission to operate and accept US players.

Steps are also being undertaken to regulate online gambling among players to eliminate or at least lessen the probabilities of developing addictive gambling behavior.  The Bill also includes tax appropriation, among others.

TagsMenendez, online casinos, online gambling, online poker, poker, poker law, US players

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