Where and How You Can Play Online Poker in the U.S.

Online poker delivers the same excitement and intense competition as in-person games.(Source: thoibao.today)

The ability to play online poker in the U.S. with the opportunity to bet and win real money has long been a subject of debate. What complicates the matter is that competitive online poker is not permitted uniformly across the country. The decision whether to allow online poker is up to each state, and to date, only a few have well-established rules concerning how and where people can play.

Fortunately, a movement is underway that will increase the number of states permitting online poker. This is good news for poker players who have long wished for the chance win big in online casinos and poker rooms but may not live in a participating state. Without further ado, here is where and how to play online poker in the U.S.

States in Play

The current market for online poker players in the U.S. seeking to bet and win real money is comprised of Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware. And it’s not surprising that these states are the ones leading the charge as all three have traditionally been at the forefront of the land casino and betting parlor adoption. Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware also offer safeguards to ensure the online poker services conducting business in their states are legitimate.

At first glance, it may seem unnecessary for a state to impose rules concerning online poker, but such measures are intended for the protection of the players. When real money is on the line, players need to be confident that the online poker sites they visit aren’t fly-by-night scams.

If you live outside of Nevada, New Jersey or Delaware, you may wish to travel to one of these states to take advantage of the USA online poker for real money opportunities. You just may return home from your vacation with much fatter pockets!

How do they know where I am?

To play online poker in a state that permits actual betting and winning, you must be physically located in that state at the time of play. So just how do online casinos know you’re in a participating area?

The answer is geolocation, which is the method of identifying the real-world geographic location of a player’s computer or mobile device. To find your geolocation and validate that you’re where you say you are, an online casino may use your IP address, a number assigned to your device to uniquely identify it on the internet, or Wi-Fi signal triangulation, which relies on the known location of nearby Wi-Fi networks.

Online poker providers even employ sophisticated technology to determine if a player attempts to circumvent normal geolocation checks with software like a VPN or remote desktop.

Online poker sites use advanced geolocation technology to verify the whereabouts of players. (Source: Nextadvisor.com)

Geolocation isn’t perfect, and situations can arise when a player is flagged in error as being outside a state permitting online poker. When this occurs, players may need to consult with their ISP to adjust their internet settings. It’s also a good idea to educate yourself on the rules governing online poker in your state before depositing any funds you intend to use for betting.

The Rewards of Research and Reputation

Finding and getting started with a reputable online poker site can be a challenge. There are many to choose from, so you want to pick the right one if you’re betting your hard-earned cash. Online poker is about fun, friends and winning; you don’t want to worry about being ripped off when you log in to play!

That’s why spending a little bit of time researching well-established, trustworthy online poker is important. It’s another step to protect you and your money. The good news is that much of this vetting work has been done for you. Many of the online poker review sites provide reputation reporting and recommendations about the best places to play.

Caption: Regularly watching how-to videos on winning poker tactics can make you an online poker ace. (Source: Youtube.com)

Keeping up to date on the latest poker news is also a strategy for staying informed about possible bad actors (and great ones!) in the online poker world. In the process, you’re likely to pick up some new tips and find irresistible promotional offers at the top online casinos.

Coming Soon to an Internet Near You

Poker players and industry pros alike have watched the online poker markets in Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware in anticipation of expanding availability to other states. The future of online poker in the U.S. is a bright one, and players around the country should expect to see more states opting-in soon.

For example, rules were recently approved in Pennsylvania to allow online poker and other virtual casino games. The Keystone State will become the fourth U.S. location to welcome online poker players, and preparations are currently underway to open the market.

Caption: Morgan Stanley predicts the U.S. online casino market may hit $5.2 billion by 2020.(
Source: Cardplayer.com)

Many other states may not be far behind in permitting online poker. For example, New York, West Virginia, California, Michigan, Illinois, New Hampshire and Hawaii are strongly considering giving players the choice to play web-based poker with real money.

Right now is an exciting time to be an online poker player in the U.S. as the availability to bet and win big is sure to extend to much of the nation. While the drafting and implementation of rules for online poker and other casino games can slow the opening of markets in new states, the oversight is important to protect players and their money. Keep one eye on which states are permitting online poker and don’t hesitate to play!