Is It A Crime To Play Online Poker In the USA?
Where do you play legal USA Poker? In 2006 the US Government passed a ban on Online Poker providers operating within the US. Under Section 802 & 803 of the SAFE Port Act the United States Congress laid down a strategic plan called the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act or the UIGEA as it is better known, to ban all Online Poker providers operating within US shores and the transfer of funds from a financial institution to any illegal Internet gambling site, specifically excluding fantasy sports, online lotteries, and horse/harness racing. Though strongly opposed, the UIGEA was included in a bill whose authorization was highly essential at the time, and had to be passed.
The bill had such an effect on the Online Poker Industry that until today there are hardly a handful US based Online Poker providing sites. The UIGEA of 2006 was passed solely due to the fact that it was included in the SAFE Port Act. The United States Congress were compelled to approve the SAFE Port Act which was, what they termed as a “must pass” piece of legislation voted on the night before the Congress adjourned, prior to the 2006 mid-term elections. “Must pass” bill is somewhat like an appropriations bill that is critical to the actual functioning of government.
The UIGEA section of the bill is not even remotely related and no separate decision was taken on this section. A prior version of the gambling part of the bill was passed by the house in 1999 but failed in the Senate. As a result of the Act, all online gambling sites listed on the London Stock Exchange or similar markets stopped accepting United States players.
The UIGEA faced its fair share of adversity and opposition from poker faithful Celebs, Congressmen and Enthusiasts alike. Though not completely abolished, the extent to which the UIGEA was introduced and implemented has considerably reduced and the situation has become more lax. There are now some Online Poker Providers like GoldStrikePoker.com that are authorized to operate within US shores under certain and specific norms in accordance with US authorities. Players based in the US are also allowed to play on these specific sites but may only do so as per the legislature of their respective states.
Thus UIGEA has changed with time. The law is still in effect but invariably there are millions of US Poker Players enjoying risk free online poker on subscription poker sites such as Gold Strike Poker.
~ Angelina Wang
Gamers Notebooks