Many regulated US poker sites offer sign-up bonuses. This bonus is typically worth a few hundred dollars or more and can increase a player’s bankroll significantly. The bonus is issued as rakeback and must be earned by playing real money games. The amount of the bonus varies, but most are worth five to ten percent of the player’s rake. For this reason, players can expect a high return on rake while their bonuses are active.
Regulatory efforts to legalize online poker in the US began in 2015. In 2016, the Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee passed a bill, 53-5. However, the State Assembly never took action. The same legislation passed in the 2017 session by a margin of 54-8, but it did not make it out of the Assembly’s Standing Committee on Racing and Wagering. It is still unclear how long this legal hurdle will remain. It’s important to note that the Supreme Court has not ruled on whether online poker is illegal.
Legal online poker sites require players to present identification proof and address. Some also require backup deposit methods such as a photo of a credit card with the last four digits removed. Know Your Customer programs are designed to prevent underage gambling. These guidelines include links to organizations that help victims of underage gambling, as well as a way to opt out of participating in online poker. As an industry, online poker has come a long way since 2011, when the Department of Justice chased global giants out of the country. Today, four states have made online poker legal, enabling players to play poker from the comfort of their own homes.
There are dozens of online poker sites available to players. Which one you choose depends on a number of factors. Bigger sites typically have more players and more games running. Smaller sites, on the other hand, have fewer players, but bigger signup bonuses and player perks. Some sites offer more poker variants than others, and some only feature Hold’em. As long as you choose a site with stable software, you’ll be able to enjoy a rewarding poker experience.
In addition to Delaware, the US is home to the largest concentration of players who participate in online poker. While these states are not regulated, online poker is legal in many other states. For example, West Virginia has recently issued gaming licenses to online poker sites, but the state’s legality is not yet clear. A legal online poker site must be operated by a US company. Big international poker brands must create US companies, as they are legally responsible for their actions in the US.
The five legal states that allow players to play real money poker online include Delaware, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. Delaware and Nevada also share players with New Jersey poker sites, 888 online poker rooms, and the WSOP online poker room. The players from these three states often meet at the same tables, which makes it easier for them to play in larger tournaments and cash games. If you’re looking for a legal online poker site, it’s best to start with a popular one.