Updated: June 22, 2009

Is there a federal law which prohibits
playing online poker? NO

Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act
This act was signed in 2006 and buried in the Safe Port Act as a must pass piece of legislation. The gambling portion of the act had nothing to do with the rest of the act, which was designed to increase port security relating to post 9/11 security issues. There is speculation as to what reasons this portion of the act was inserted. Many speculate it was a lobbying effort by bricks and morter casinos to reduce competition from online gaming. In any case, the law has passed and what is important is knowing what the act does and does not affect according to US players.

What does this law do?

• It DOES prohibit a business from receiving deposits for online gaming. The law states: “No person engaged in the business of betting or wagering may knowingly accept credit cards, … electronic, … where a person is engaged in “unlawful Internet gambling”.
• It DOES require regulation of financial institutions. The Federal Reserve was directed to create new regulations for financial institutions. These regulations are intended to prevent transactions from US banks and other institutions to illegal gaming sites. NOTE: these regulations do not prevent transactions from gaming sites to banks nor does it specifically address transactions using paper checks.

What does this law NOT do?

• It DOES NOT make online gaming illegal. There are some forms of online gaming that are illegal from previous law. For example: According to the 1961 Wire Act, it is illegal to operate an online sports-betting business (it does not make it illegal to place bets, only to take them). Also, in some states it is illegal to operate an online casino, but again it is NOT illegal to place bets. For this reason, online gaming sites operate outside of the United States. The UIGEA makes it clear that it does not expand any federal or state law prohibiting, permitting or regulating gambling within the US.
• It DOES NOT apply to players. This law only prohibits online gaming rooms from accepting deposits using certain methods. However, there are some state laws that affect player’s rights to play online. Check the list of states below.
• It DOES NOT refer to poker directly. There is no law, including the UIGEA that specifically refers to poker.
• It DOES NOT affect the use of checks. This also applies to its electronic counterpart, Poker Echecks. All players can use Instant Poker Echecks to deposit online.

What does this law mean for players?

• Many of the largest online poker rooms have left the US gaming market. Look below for a list of poker rooms that do not accept US players.
• A few sites have remained in the US market. Namely, Pokerstars.com and FullTiltPoker.com who publicized their intent to stay soon after the law was passed. These US poker sites accept American poker players. Other usa poker sites.
• Depositing for US players has become more difficult. Fortunately, other US poker deposit options such as Instant Poker eChecks have emerged that make it easier to directly deposit into online gaming accounts.

Are you a US citizen feed up with government intervention? Visit the University of Common Sense

Sites no longer accepting US players:
888/Pacific Poker
Action Poker Network- Nine.com, Tigergaming etc.
B2B Skins- 24h poker, Redbet, Betunited etc.
Betsson Poker
Boss Media- TotalPoker, Virgin Poker, CelebPoker, Pokerheaven, King Solomons Poker, PokerSyndicate, etc.
BetCorp- BeHoldem etc.
Crypto- William Hill, Interpoker, Poker Plex, LittleWoods Poker, etc.
Empire Holdings- Empire Poker
Everest Poker
iPoker- Titan Poker, Poker Ocean, CD Poker, Nobel Poker Prestige Poker, Betfred, Fair Poker, etc.
Jesetpoker
Kiwi Poker
Microgaming
Ongame/Bwin- PokerRoom.com, HolywoodPoker, Hodempoker, Europoker, Cherrypoker, Tower Poker
PartyGaming- Party Poker, MultiPoker, etc.
Paradise Poker
PKR.com
Planet Poker- Poker Blue
Pokerchamps
Prima Network
Skill Games Network- Mansion Poker, TonyGPoker, Gamesgrid
SunPoker
Tribeca Sites- Bowmans, Paddypowerpoker, Bluesquarepoker, Victor Chandler, Betus.com etc.
Wagerlogic- William Hill, Betfair, PokerPlex, Playboycasino, Intercasino, VIP etc.

States with Poker or Casino Bans:
Illinois – felony to play online poker for real money
Indiana
Louisiana- felony to play online poker for real money
Michigan
Nevada
New Jersey
New York
Oregon
South Dakota
Washington State- felony to play online poker for real money
Wisconsin

Be sure to check out our other information for us poker rooms and us poker deposit options.

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