(Newswire.net — July 22, 2021) — Several US-based gamblers have been on the fence about where to play real money poker games. That’s, in part, due to the poker ban after the advent of the 2006 UIGEA laws. These left players at a loss on where to go for poker games online, as most platforms withdrew from the US market.
In the past couple of years, though, things have changed drastically in favor of online gamblers. These changes are a direct result of the restrictions that came about due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
As lockdowns became a necessity, so did the closure of gambling halls to help curb the virus’ spread. That, in turn, led to the realization that most poker revenues came from physical casino games.
With more restrictions announced every month, players moved to online platforms for entertainment. Online operators noticed a surge of new player registrations on online platforms than in previous years.
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act
The UIGEA made it illegal for unlicensed online operators to accept money from US players on their sites. That made running online poker sites a hassle for US operators since they risked fines for offering their services.
So, once the trusted operators withdrew from the market, US players started seeking their gaming thrills on platforms run by overseas operators.
The UIGEA says nothing concrete about overseas online poker sites. Players can play at their discretion while operators aren’t obligated to remit any tax to the US government for earnings from US players. As such, the government cannot collect revenue from platforms accepting US players.
For the government to change things, talks begun among various states to help bring poker revenue back to the country. That’s by having local regulatory bodies monitor online poker activities and make them legal.
States Accepting Poker Sites for US Players In 2021
Between March 2020 and June 2021, several states have changed the status of online poker gambling for their residents. Players in the following regions can now legally enjoy real money games online:
- New Jersey
- Nevada
- Delaware
- Michigan
- Pennsylvania
Other states looking to join the online poker revolution soon include:
- West Virginia
- New York
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- California
- Illinois
US Poker Sites Reach Record Heights Due To the Pandemic
While gambling halls were experiencing lockdown losses from March to May of 2020, poker sites saw impressive gains. These earnings were most notable in key online gambling states like Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
New Jersey, for instance, recorded revenues worth $79.9 million in April alone. That was a 118% increase compared with April 2019’s take of $36.6 million. Pennsylvania, in 2020, also recorded double the revenue collected in 2019.
With more players choosing online sites, this profitable trend continued towards the end of the year. In New Jersey, the best online poker sites for US players showed a 106.7% revenue increase. That was for a comparison between October 2019 and October 2020 revenues. Pennsylvania also collected an impressive $59.8 million in October 2020.
Best Poker Sites for US Players In 2021
PokerStars
With a reputation spanning two decades, PokerStars gets over 5,800 players every day. The gaming software runs smoothly, and payouts are fast. You can play cash games and tournaments on both desktop and mobile versions of the site.
Ignition
The platform got launched in 2016 and has 1,000+ poker players at any time throughout the day. You’ll come across a wide selection of games, as well as varying skill levels for the players at various tables.
InterTops
For soft poker game fans, InterTops has several options available, like Pot Limit Omaha. Run by the Horizon Poker Network, you’ll find plenty of low-stake tournaments with a 36% rakeback available.
BetOnline
BetOnline is one of the top 3 poker sites in the US, based on its daily traffic. You’ll come across games like Omaha, No-Limit Hold’em, and Stud poker variants. Players here can use Bitcoin to make their transactions on the platform.
Cafe Casino
Cafe Casino is best suited for players looking for an all-rounded casino gaming experience. Apart from the available poker games, you’ll also find video poker, slots, and virtual table games. The bonuses here are also generous.
Black Chip Poker
Black Chip Poker is the platform for North American gamers looking for big wins. Run by the Winning Poker Network, players can take part in several tournaments with large prize pools. There’s also a VIP program.
America’s CardRoom
America’s CardRoom launched in 2001 and has a Rakeback program. Texas Hold’em variants here get the most traffic on the site. Players will also find several tournaments available, including weekly Sunday tournaments.
WSOP
The WSOP accepts players from New Jersey, Delaware, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. It offers a variety of high-traffic real money games for players within these states. Players will also find games they can access using coins given on the site for free or buying.
Red Dog Casino
Red Dog Casino is best suited for fans of video poker. You’ll come across several well-known variants like Deuces Wild and Joker Poker. Most games are also available on mobile platforms. Bitcoin is one of the payment options US players can use with ease here.
Bovada
Bovada offers US poker players several soft games with reasonable buy-ins. It’s currently one of the best sites for Multi-Table Tournaments with rakes as low as $0.01 for minimum bets worth $0.20.