Online Poker – A Big Issue in the USA
Online Poker has rapidly become one of the most popular recreational activities in the world. There are an estimated 5.6 million daily players. Since online version has many benefits over live games, there are a growing number of reasons for which online poker has gained such wide appeal both for experienced and new players of this popular card game. The increasing popularity of online poker is mostly down to the simple fact that you can easily access a wide variety of games regardless of where you are and isn’t restricted by geographical barriers. In addition, the internet provides a fast and convenient means through which you can communicate with other players. Therefore, you can play any kind of poker game that you wish from the comfort of your own home and at any time that suits your schedule.
Online poker was initially developed and hosted by some of the leading online casino companies like Playtech, Realtime Gaming, CardRunners and many others. At present, these companies have merged to form what is known as the “PokerStars”. This poker room is operated by the same companies who operate online casinos. All the poker stars casinos are owned and operated by the leading poker players and gaming companies, which provide payment methods like credit cards, Paypal, Neteller, moneybookers and other online payment methods. Poker Stars casinos are widely followed and preferred by both experienced as well as novice poker players.
If you want to play online poker in the best poker sites, then you need to follow certain rules and guidelines. These are provided by the Online Poker Companies. Before starting playing poker online, make sure you read all the instructions given by the particular site. You also need to check the rules of your game if you wish to play in live games. This will help you avoid any inconveniences later.
Before signing up for any online poker company, check their privacy policy and know about their deposit bonus offers, bonus withdrawal rules and the like. This policy should be read thoroughly and not merely relied upon. Some poker players get attracted into unlawful gambling activities like duping others for real cash advances. Uigea and D’Amato are two of the most renowned online poker players.
In case you are being cheated in a poker game, there are several reliable sources from where you can get information. Such reliable sources include forums, blogs, newsletters, chat rooms, message boards and other social networking websites. You can search for them using any of the popular search engines. Please help can also be gotten from your friends, family and colleagues.
Uigea and D’Amato were recently sentenced to prison for their part in a scheme to illegally make and sell poker software in the U.S. poker industry. They were sentenced to jail time, hefty fines and have had to pay huge restitution to online poker sites. This case exposed the U.S. online poker sites to cheating by its clients. The verdict was unexpected.
Although the verdicts in the U.S. are favourable towards Uigea and D’Amato, they still face serious threats in their home country of Thailand. The two men are appealing their sentences in the Thai courts. Thailand is a favorite location for online poker sites to conduct their business as it has become an important financial hub for Thailand. The online poker industry makes a huge income from the tourists who visit the country on vacation. The government has become interested in stopping these online casinos from setting up in the country because the revenue that they will earn will be sent to Bangkok instead of to its owners.
The U.S. authorities and states like Texas and Nevada have been working very hard to prevent online poker sites from setting up in these territories. The U.S. government is worried about the effect that these websites will have on the normal flow of business in the states and has been trying to prevent the companies from setting up in the way they want. Efforts are also underway in the U.S. to have the World Trade Organization impose stiffer trade restrictions on the companies involved in online gambling. A recent survey has shown that there is a strong public opinion in favor of closing down all online gambling businesses. There is no doubt that the U.S. authorities and states will continue to fight against online gambling.