If playing for real $ online is illegal in the US, how come pros are allowed to but regular people cant?

Question

If playing for real $ online is illegal in the US, how come pros are allowed to but regular people cant?

Answer 1

It's not illegal.  The only thing that they tried to make illegal was banking institutions funding online play.  There are still services that you can use (and I do) that are safe, easy, and affordable.

For Full Tilt Poker, I suggest using Ultra Prepaid.  For PokerStars, I suggest using eChecks.

"no United States federal statute or regulation explicitly prohibits Internet gambling, either domestically or abroad"

Answer 2

There are many people that play online poker, regular people. The law doesnt say its illegal. Its just hard to deposit so people deposit with eChecks or visa gift cards. Most US customers play at fulltilt or poker stars. You can find review of the sites at http://www.bettingwise.hit.bg/FulltiltPo...

Answer 3

This is a common misconception. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) that was tagged onto the back of a Port security Bill and passed in to law in October 2006, does not prohibit US citizens from gambling online - contrary to how it has been reported in the media.

I have had the displeasure of reading the legislation from start to finish and it only prohibits the transfer of funds from a financial institution to an Internet gambling site, not from an individual to a gambling site, with the notable exceptions of fantasy sports, online lotteries, and horse/harness racing - hoorahh for hypocracy!

It is intended to cut off the flow of money at source but as the previous answer says, there are many ways of depositing still. Financial institutions have also yet to implement a system that prevents gambling transactions from being processed.

There are however, specific STATE laws that prohibit internet gambling in the following 12 states: Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin.

So if you are outside of these states, you are not breaking any law by wagering for real money at an online casino. Fact.

Some online casinos pulled out of the American market altogether so as not to be tainted by questions of wrong doing but there are many who stayed in the game but who will not accept players resident in any of the above 12 States.

I would personally recommend Blackjack Ballroom Casino or Captain Cooks Casino, both of which I have dealt with for years, building good relationships with the casino managers and support staff during this time.

To answer your question finally (!), regular players can gamble online in the USA if they happen to live in the right place. Anything you have heard to the contrary is just the Media sensationalising the situation as they are prone to do.

Answer 4

I'm a regular person and I play for real $ online.  

the law is against American banks and finance companies, so they will not be the company that direct deposits/withdrawals to gambling websites.  the law is related to the possibility of laundering dirty or illegal money thru gambling sites.

Answer 5

The tournaments they hold for the "pros" are brick and mortar games at licensed establishments and licensed means the government gets their cut.  Online they don't which is why they are trying to keep people away but it's a toothless tiger pretty much anyway.

A.J.

http://kingcobrapoker.com/poker-lessons

Answer 6

You can play poker legally on http://www.spadeclub.com. It is sponsored by cardplayer magazine and if you use the code ACESFULL you can get a two week free trial. It pays real cash prizes when you win. They base it on sweepstakes laws.

You can also play blackjack and poker at http://www.clububt.com, it will show you the prizes that you can play for. It does cost $20 month to join. If you register and enter this code WEC97XUK, it will give you two free weeks on their site. I have a paid membership there and I've won real cash there and they do pay.

Both sites are legal to play at in the USA.