The Rise of Online Poker
Although most states do not regulate online poker, there are a few exceptions to this rule. New Jersey and Pennsylvania are the only states to have legal online poker. Nevada and Delaware have both passed laws to allow players to participate in the game. West Virginia and Pennsylvania are expected to join them soon. These states have a thriving online poker community. As more states approve of online gaming, more players are likely to join. This will make playing online poker easier for everyone.
Most US jurisdictions allow poker, but many won’t allow players to transfer money directly from their bank account. These players have to use electronic money transfer companies to load their e-wallets with funds from their bank accounts. This allows them to transfer money directly to the poker site without having to return it to their bank. Many online poker sites also offer prepaid debit cards and virtual credit cards that act as a means of payment. Both these methods of payment are becoming increasingly common.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many online poker websites ceased advertising their dot-com sites in the US media. They reopened as dot-net sites that provide free games with no real money wagering. These sites often advertise themselves as “poker schools” or “free poker,” and many of them feature a prominent message warning players not to enter their real money accounts. As a result, the popularity of online poker has surged and many operators have reported double-digit growth in traffic.