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While US-based online poker is illegal in most states, US players do have some legally sanctioned options available through legitimately licensed and regulated offshore destinations. It is likely that more states will push for regulated online poker, but it takes time for legislation to pass and be implemented. In April 2013, the first legal online gambling site in the United States went live in Nevada. It was an online poker room called Ultimate Poker. By November, online poker and online casinos went live in Delaware and New Jersey. In 2017, Pennsylvania became the fourth and largest state to pass legislation regulating online gambling. Paradise Poker was followed and later supplanted by PokerStars and Party Poker, both of which were established in 2001.Party Poker took frontrunner status fairly quickly and would eventually grow to become the first mega poker site with upwards of 80,000 players logged in at a time, the launch of new game types and cash games running 24/7 at all range of stakes. Real Online Poker for US Players Things are changing fast for online poker. There are four states that have regulated games — Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania – plus legal, sweepstakes poker games in other areas. While the boom of 10 years ago is over, online poker for real money in the US is on the.
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US courts have indicted the founders of the three largest US online poker companies and their websites have been seized. In all, there are eleven defendants - including the founders of PokerStars.
Home» US Poker Laws » State Laws
The gambling laws of US states are best collectively described as a mashup, a tangle of differing philosophies, definitions and priorities.
Below you'll find a quick synopsis of gambling laws in each US state, along with a link to a detailed report for every state. Each review provides a plain-language interpretation of the state's gambling laws, an analysis of the legal status of online gambling and poker in general in the state.
The US state gambling laws include a review of recent developments relevant to online poker players. The state pages on this site are updated often to reflect the most recent developments for legal poker in the USA.
To help you navigate this page better, we've provided an interactive map. Simply click on a state within the map and the page will load that particular section for you.
Alabama Poker: State allows very limited types of gambling and considers poker to be gambling. Severe punishments for both players and operators. State law does not directly mention online gambling.
Alaska Poker: No lottery and very little regulated gambling in this state. Poker could qualify as game of skill, but case law suggests it is considered gambling. No specific law regarding gambling over the Internet.
Arizona Poker: One of a handful of states that expressly prohibits online gambling. Several forms of regulated gambling available. State law (and enforcement) primarily targets those who profit from illegal gambling activity.
Arkansas Poker: Broad definition of illegal gambling. Some parts of state law may have direct applicability to online gambling. Individual gamblers are not a focus of criminal charges related to illegal gambling.
California Poker: Offers a variety of regulated gambling options. No specific law addressing the issue of online gambling. Seems close to passing some sort of regulation, likely poker-only.
Colorado Poker: Expansive definition of gambling underpins strict approach to unregulated gambling. Poker is considered gambling. While law does not address online gambling specifically, state officials contend such gambling is illegal.
Connecticut Poker: Poker specifically mentioned in statutory definition of gambling. No law dealing directly with Internet gambling or online poker. Home poker games legal if no rake is taken.
Delaware Poker: Recently passed law to regulate some forms of online gambling. Players face only minor criminal exposure for participating in illegal gambling.
Florida Poker: Poker hotbed has very restrictive anti-gambling laws. Very few ways to play poker or gamble and be within the letter of Florida law. State has seen a handful of failed attempts to regulate online poker.
Georgia Poker: Poker players have almost no regulated - and therefore no legal - options for real money poker. State has constitutional ban on almost all forms of gambling.
Hawaii Poker: No regulated gambling of any sort in the 50th state. While online gambling not addressed directly, several aspects of state law could still apply. Individual gamblers not a primary target.
Idaho Poker: Possibly the broadest definition of gambling in the US. Poker directly mentioned. Online gambling possibly addressed by constitutional prohibition on gambling. Penalties relatively minor for players and operators.
Illinois Poker: Broad selection of regulated gambling and severe approach to unregulated gambling. State law specifically prohibits the operation of an online gambling site, but not necessarily playing at one.
Indiana Poker: State takes aggressive approach to illegal gambling. Players appear to be targets along with operators. Indiana has a law outlawing the operation (but not the use) of online casinos.
Iowa Poker: Does not draw a clear distinction between participants and operators. Severe potential penalties for both. State seems poised to pass some sort of online gambling regulation soon.
Kansas Poker: A litany of regulated options contrasts with a strict approach to unregulated gambling. State lottery oversees commercial casinos, a unique arrangement. No apparent momentum for online gambling regulation.
Kentucky Poker: Has legal online betting on horse racing. Practically zero criminal risk for those who merely participate in illegal gambling, but substantial exposure for those who profit from or otherwise advance such activity.
Louisiana Poker: Vague definition of gambling creates legal uncertainty. State law does specifically prohibit gambling online or running online gambling business.
Maine Poker: No penalties for mere players who take part in illegal gambling. Home poker games legal under Maine law. No direct mention of online gambling or online poker.
Maryland Poker: Gambling law differs county-to-county. Generally stiffer potential penalties for players than average. No direct reference to online gambling, but Maryland law has been to used to prosecute several operators.
Massachusetts Poker: Very broad definition of illegal gambling. Players face substantial charges in theory, but enforcement efforts do not appear to target players. No specific law covering gambling over the Internet.
Michigan Poker: Operators and players alike face harsh penalties in Michigan, which specifically identifies poker as a form of gambling. Internet gambling not addressed directly by any part of the law.
Minnesota Poker: State provides some forms of regulated gambling. Poker is likely considered gambling. Home poker games are excluded from anti-gambling law given that no one profits from running the game.
Mississippi Poker: Poker specifically identified as gambling. Minor penalties for those who are only players in illegal gambling activities. No part of Mississippi law deals specifically with Internet gambling.
Missouri Poker: Possibly the most severe penalties for players of any state in the nation. Lacks any law constructed to deal with online poker, but state officials assert such gambling is illegal under existing law.
Montana Poker: Law expressly prohibits online gambling but seems primarily focused on operators and not players. Otherwise, both players and operators involved in illegal gambling face stiff penalties.
Nebraska Poker: Difficult to identify a way in which playing poker for money could be legal in Nebraska. Little to no apparent interest in regulating online poker or online gambling.
Montana Poker: Law expressly prohibits online gambling but seems primarily focused on operators and not players. Otherwise, both players and operators involved in illegal gambling face stiff penalties.
Nebraska Poker: Difficult to identify a way in which playing poker for money could be legal in Nebraska. Little to no apparent interest in regulating online poker or online gambling.
Nevada Poker: First in the nation to issue licenses to online poker operators. Anti-gambling laws almost exclusively focused on those running illegal gambling operations and not on mere players.
New Hampshire Poker: Fairly narrow definition of gambling that may or may not include poker. State law doesn't appear to cover online gambling directly.
New Jersey Poker: Plenty of regulated gambling options available in New Jersey. State appears close to passing online poker regulation (and perhaps a larger package of online gambling regulations).
New Mexico Poker: A very broad definition of illegal gambling but no direct mention of online gambling or online poker. Home poker games apparently illegal under state law.
New York Poker: State anti-gambling laws formed heart of Black Friday indictments. Home poker games allowed. Despite Black Friday role, no mention of online gambling in state law. Players face little risk or liability in New York.
North Carolina Poker: No definition of 'game of chance' creates confusion in state gambling law. Relatively weak penalties for anti-gambling law violations. State may soon regulate so-called 'Internet sweepstakes' cafes.
North Dakota Poker: Very broad definition of illegal gambling, but little apparent enforcement. Has some potential to regulate online gambling in the near term. Home poker games legal or illegal based on stakes involved.
Ohio Poker: Poker specifically defined as 'game of chance.' Home games legal at any stakes. State seems to have significant likelihood of regulating online gambling in near term.
Oklahoma Poker: Tons of regulated gambling options, but very stiff penalties for unregulated gambling. Transmission law may cover Internet gambling.
Oregon Poker: Law specifically prohibits financial transactions related to internet gambling. Poker for real money legal in a variety of regulated formats.
Pennsylvania Poker: Players in illegal gambling activities face no liability. State has somewhat confused approach to gambling thanks to lack of clear statutory definitions. Online gambling regulation seems fairly likely in next two years.
Rhode Island Poker: Ambiguous gambling law but players do not appear to be targets of the law or enforcement efforts. Rumored interstate poker partner for Delaware.
South Carolina Poker: State Supreme Court will soon decide if poker is a form of gambling. Centuries-old laws regarding gambling still on the state's books make many common games such as Monopoly technically illegal.
South Dakota Poker: Very aggressive approach to illegal gambling. Very broad definition of what activity constitutes illegal gambling. State law explicitly criminalizes operation of online gambling businesses.
Tennessee Poker: More or less prohibits all forms of gambling, save the state lottery and some forms of charitable gambling. Law does not directly tackle online gambling.
Texas Poker: Significant factions of state government and the public vociferously opposed to gambling. Utilizes very broad definition of gambling that includes betting on any activity involving any chance.
Utah Poker: No regulated forms of gambling. Pre-emptively opted out of any federal law regarding online poker in 2018. Least likely of the 50 states to regulate online poker or gambling.
Vermont Poker: Relatively limited law regarding gambling. Minor penalties and low-priority enforcement for individual gamblers.
Virginia Poker: State takes what amounts to an average approach to anti-gambling laws and enforcement. No law specifically designed to cover online gambling.
Washington State Poker: Only state to make placing a bet online a felony. State allows a wide variety of regulated gambling options, including commercial and tribal casinos.
West Virginia Poker: State allows wide array of regulated gambling. Minor penalties for players engaged in illegal gambling. Frequently mentioned as potential interstate online poker partner for neighbor Delaware.
Wisconsin Poker: Home to a handful of regulated gambling options. Fairly strict laws regarding unregulated gambling and higher-than-average arrest numbers for such charges.
Wyoming Poker: Very broad definition of illegal gambling. One of a few US states to not have a lottery. Relatively minor penalties for engaging in illegal gambling.
District of Columbia Poker: Home to nation's capitol and an attempt to regulate online gambling that failed in 2018. Anti-gambling laws relatively limited.
Massachusetts’ approximately 6.65 million inhabitants are among the most prideful citizens of any state in the nation, but when it comes to real money poker and legal gambling MA citizens haven’t got the widest range of betting options.
Home to the Boston Red Sox, the world-renowned educational institution Harvard University and the gorgeous Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts is an epicenter of culture, life and all things American, but definitely not a legit lawful poker or gambling establishment. Yet the one staple of modern American culture that is decidedly absent from The Bay State is the presence of a casino or real cash poker gambling room.
The betting and real money poker scene is about to change though. Over the course of the past two years, Massachusetts has loosened its stance on betting and gambling, so much so, that the prospect of online gambling and Internet poker coming to MA has become a real possibility. That’s great news for the real cash poker betting fans who’ve been stuck with very few legit gambling options up until now.
And although MA state gambling officials will likely finalize the state’s land-based casino and real money poker room plans before further entertaining the idea of regulated real cash Internet poker iGaming betting, Massachusetts stands a better chance than most of being one of the first ten states to open its doors to the virtual felt and provide real money poker websites for MA residents.
Those of you in The Bay State have it pretty easy going when it comes to gambling. Massachusetts punters will have no problem signing up for a real money US poker site account.
A Busy Two Years in Massachusetts Gambling History
Quick Jump
- 5 The Facts
H. 3807 was penned into state law in late-November 2011[1]. It allows the construction of up to three land-based casino resorts with real money poker rooms and one slots parlor. Since then, 11 Indian tribes and major gambling companies submitted proposals to have their brands associated with one of Massachusetts new casinos and poker gambling card rooms.
Of those interested in running real money poker and casino operations in MA, Mohegan Sun and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe have proven to be the frontrunners [2]. The two tribes, both of whom operate large real cash betting casinos in Connecticut, have upped their annual commitment to the citizens of Massachusetts, leading to Mohegan being unanimously approved by the people of Palmer Town to construct a $1 billion legal poker and casino resort within the town’s limits. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe will be up for a gambling and betting related referendum vote as early as November 2013.
Things have been equally busy on the Internet gambling and poker website legislation front. MA State rep. Dan Winslow made an ill-fated attempt to attach online gambling legislation relating to lawful real money Internet poker to H. 3807. Shortly thereafter, he tried to amend similar Internet gambling legislation to a 2012 budget bill. Once again, his efforts to bring MA poker fans legal poker websites to play at for real cash failed. Months later, a second attempt to amend an online gambling and Internet poker clause to a budget bill was met with similar results.
In 2013, MA State Senator Minority Leader Bruce Tarr introduced S. 1826, an amendment to a transportation bill that would permit state officials to provide iGaming lawful Internet poker licenses to online gambling providers. Tarr’s amendment would ultimately be rejected in July 2013 [3].
Experts in the poker website industry have indicated that the time for online gambling and real money poker betting legislation in Massachusetts isn’t ripe yet, but that after ground is broken on its land-based casinos and real cash poker offerings, it will be.
Another factor possibly holding Massachusetts legislators back is New Jersey. Until the Garden State can prove to its closest neighbors that online gambling and Internet poker is a viable real money-making machine, most New England and Mid-Atlantic states, including MA, will probably hold off on passing legislation on legal poker websites of their own.
Latest Massachusetts Poker News
Sheldon Adelson & RAWA Take Center Stage At Republican Jewish CoalitionBy Jon Pineda
Sheldon Adelson will be courted once again by prominent 2016 GOP presidential candidates during next month's Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) Spring Leadership Meeting.…
Sheldon Adelson will be courted once again by prominent 2016 GOP presidential candidates during next month's Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) Spring Leadership Meeting.…
Massachusetts iGaming Effort to Carry OnBy Robert DellaFave
Despite losing the support of the American Gaming Association (AGA), Massachusetts plans to continue moving forward with its Internet gambling study.…
Despite losing the support of the American Gaming Association (AGA), Massachusetts plans to continue moving forward with its Internet gambling study.…
Online Gambling in Massachusetts on HoldBy Todd Wilkins
With three land-based casino licenses yet to be awarded, Massachusetts will likely hold off on further consideration of online gambling legislation.…
With three land-based casino licenses yet to be awarded, Massachusetts will likely hold off on further consideration of online gambling legislation.…
Online Gambling Under Consideration in MassachusettsBy Todd Wilkins
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission will be awarding casino licenses this year, which has renewed talk that gambling expansion may include the Internet.…
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission will be awarding casino licenses this year, which has renewed talk that gambling expansion may include the Internet.…
Massachusetts Considers Online Poker BillBy Todd Wilkins
Lawmakers in Massachusetts have introduced a proposal calling for online poker to be legalized in the Bay State.…
Lawmakers in Massachusetts have introduced a proposal calling for online poker to be legalized in the Bay State.…
Can Players from Massachusetts Play Online Poker?
Although there is no official law regulating Internet gaming and real cash poker websites in Massachusetts, that doesn’t mean its residents still can’t sit around in their pyjamas playing online poker at top Internet poker websites – quite the contrary. If anything, US-facing real money gambling online poker websites are more than willing to accept players from The Bay State. Take a look at our list of online poker real money website options for real cash players in MA looking for legit Internet poker websites to play at to find out which poker betting websites accept players from Massachusetts.
Is Online Poker Legal in Massachusetts?
The Internet poker gambling and real money betting statutes of most states including MA haven’t been updated since before the inception of the Internet, let alone include statues specific to online poker and playing Internet poker. Therefore, many state laws regarding iGaming poker websites are up to interpretation, with Massachusetts gambling and legal betting laws proving no exception.
With that said, there is nothing in Massachusetts gambling or poker betting statues that explicitly states online gambling and playing Internet poker for real money is illegal. But before you start celebrating and throwing your real cash poker chips in the air, it is advisable that you seek the legal consul of a professional who knows about the lawful Internet poker scene in MA.
In the meantime, we’ve dissected facets of several Massachusetts gambling and poker betting statues, in an attempt to help you make a more informed decision regarding your options when it comes to finding a real money Internet poker websites to play at in MA:
- “Gaming” not “gambling” is defined to include every act punishable under any law relative to lotteries, policy lotteries or policy, the buying or selling of pools or registering of bets. Apparently, in Massachusetts the word lottery is synonymous with betting and gambling. (Chapter 4, Section 7)
- As expected, the penalties for permitting a non legit gambling operation in MA are harsher than for merely participating in an illegal gambling or real cash betting activity. Gamblers are subject to a fine of no more than fifty dollars or [imprisonment] for no more than three months while anyone who permits a game of something like Texas Hold’em poker can do up to one year of jail time.
- Running a sizable gambling ring (Chapter 271, Section 16A) carries with it heavy levies in MA, including up to fifteen (15) years in prison and a $10,000 fine. In order to be guilty, the gambling or betting ringleader would have to be in charge of at least four persons so that such persons may provide facilities or services or assist in the provision of facilities or services for the conduct of illegal lotteries, or for the illegal registration of bets or the illegal buying and selling of pools upon the result of a trial or contest in Massachusetts.
- The use of a telephone for gaming purposes is deemed illegal. The law was probably designed to combat sports betting and not legal real money poker gambling, but it can be loosely interpreted as a blanket law that would envelop online gambling and Internet poker betting. Penalties for placing phone bets include up to a $2,000 fine and as much as one year behind bars in an MA prison.
Massachusetts features plenty (soon to be more) facilities where gambling on real money poker games is considered legal and acceptable.
To read more about Massachusetts gambling and real cash poker betting laws [4] and other gaming related news, check out the “References” section.
- U. S. Poker Site
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The Facts
The History of Gambling in Massachusetts
1934
1934
Betting on horse racing and dog racing was legalized.
1971
Legal Us Poker Sites Online
1971
The modern lottery was created and introduced to the state of Massachusetts in 1971. The first draw took place the following year and has grew ever since.
2007
2007
The rapid growth of gambling throughout Massachusetts saw the introduction of a casino expansion bill. Unfortunately, this didn’t make it into law and was not signed by the governor.
2011
2011
A casino bill passed under the Expanded Gaming Act. This resulted in three casino resorts and one slot parlor to be built and opened.
2013
2013
Charitable gaming revenues were recorded and reportedly $66.5 million was the total annual gross from the year.
2014
2014
Potential arose for the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe to start plans on building a casino in the south eastern part of the state. This was a result of the federal tribal commission dropping objections to the proposed idea.
2015
2015
This was a big year for the state as it saw the opening of a slot parlor at Plainridge Park casino. Additionally, MGM Springfield and Wynn Everett are two casino resorts under development.
Unlike other pre-Revolutionary War colonies, the majority of Massachusetts early residents were vehemently opposed to lotteries and other forms of gambling like legal Texas Hold’em poker betting. Part of this unfavorable outlook on legit gambling in MA was likely due to the widespread presence of Puritans. By the 1800s Massachusetts’ betting stance had grown so strong that it would offer opposition to other states establishing real money lotteries and thus allowing legal gambling.
As it did in most north-eastern states, the Great Depression forced Massachusetts to loosen its haughty stance on gambling and legit poker betting, and by 1934 the State Racing Commission was created. Simultaneously, the Suffolk Downs [5] horseracing gambling track was built. Harness and greyhound racing tracks followed shortly thereafter. Betting real money in MA on greyhound racing has since been banned (2008).
Ironically, Massachusetts was also one of the first states to implement a statewide Lottery for its gambling hungry citizens. In the early 1970s, the state was desperately in need of a revenue infusion, and the lottery provided a welcome windfall of lawful gambling real money revenue.
Charitable and pari-mutuel betting are also legal in Massachusetts, and as of 2011 commercial casinos and real money poker gambling rooms became permissible in MA under state law. Tribal casinos and real cash poker card rooms, like those in Connecticut, are also deemed legal within Massachusetts borders.
To date, the only building labeled a casino in Massachusetts is Stockbridge Casino, which functioned as a social attraction and not a real money poker gambling facility. Today, Stockbridge Casino is a historic tourist attraction and not somewhere to go for a little real cash Texas Hold’em poker action.
Regulation Gambling Options in Massachusetts
Just because nearly every type of gambling and betting including real money poker gambling is legal in Massachusetts, doesn’t mean MA citizens have a plethora of options when it comes to where to do their lawful real money betting. If anything, they’re usually forced to drive into Connecticut or another neighboring state to get their gambling or poker betting fix. That will change soon, as within the next several years at least one commercial or tribal casino with a real money poker room will open its doors to the public.
Is Online Poker Illegal In Us
In addition to the imminent construction of a full-scale casino resort, Massachusetts residents can purchase real cash lottery tickets from one of hundreds of authorized sellers, or participate in various charitable or pari-mutuel gambling and gambling settings. This is a great way for poker betting fans to satisfy their gambling itches before real money poker comes to MA in full force.
Poker players in Massachusetts can pick from an array of poker websites, none of which are regulated by the state.
The Future of Regulated Online Gambling in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is one of only a handful of east coast states that could support a viable intrastate Internet poker iGaming operation. Its population rivals that of New Jersey, and Massachusetts is the sixth most visited state in the US (New Jersey is ninth) meaning MA stands to make a lot of money out of its gambling population if it opens real cash legal poker websites [6]. The state of MA is also open to future Internet gambling and real money poker betting compacts with Pennsylvania and California, should those states legalize regulated online gambling and Internet poker as well.
However, all of MA state’s attempts to push iGaming Internet poker legislation thus far have fallen decidedly flat. Combine that with the state’s elongated land-based casino and real money poker room expansion efforts and it could be a while before the online gambling and real cash poker websites in MA issue is taken seriously. Although, once the time is right for Internet gambling to become lawful in MA, and it seems inevitable that it will be, Massachusetts should be in full support of expanding into the Internet gambling and real money poker websites market.
Fun Fact
“Action Dan” Harrington, the writer of Harrington on Hold’em – a series of real cash poker books that has helped hundreds of thousands of aspiring gambling poker players elevate their Texas Hold’em poker games – is a native of Massachusetts, indicative by his heavy Boston accent, and authentic green Red Sox cap.
Most famous for winning the prestigious poker betting tournament that was the WSOP Main Event in 1995 and making back-to-back final table Main Event appearances in 2003 and 2004, Harrington’s notorious real money poker squeeze play was on full display on national TV, and remains one of the most memorable hands in recent legit poker history.
The Bottom Line
Massachusetts, like so many other states in the area, is proceeding with caution into the world of lawful real cash Internet poker. Until its land-based casino and real money poker gambling room arrangements are settled, do not expect an online gambling Internet poker bill to pass through MA government. Even then, if New Jersey and Delaware fail to make headway in the iGaming Internet poker and real cash gambling market, Massachusetts might abandon its tentative plans to introduce online gambling and Internet poker websites completely.
But with Connecticut determined to expand into the virtual arena of real money poker websites, and the possibility of interstate Internet poker compacts looming, the next logical step for Massachusetts would be to throw its hat into the legal real cash poker websites mix – especially since it’s already in the process of building three facilities that could legally inhabit online gaming operations and legit real money Internet poker websites.
Is Online Poker Legal
References
Online Poker In Us Legal
[1] ↑Governor Patrick Signs Expanded Gaming Legislation
[2] ↑Two Connecticut Tribes Closer to Building Casinos in Massachusetts
[3] ↑Another Swing and a Miss for Massachusetts Online Gambling
[4] ↑Massachusetts Gaming Commission
Online Poker Illegal In Us
[5] ↑Suffolk Downs
[6] ↑Statistic Brain: Tourism Stats
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