A plain-language comparison of state-regulated and offshore online poker in the US, covering regulators, UIGEA, the Wire Act, dispute routes, self-exclusion and taxes. Read more »
Regulated vs. Offshore Online Poker in the US: What Changes
Poker Legislation
Poker Legislation News
Florida AG Sues Global Poker, Accuses Site of Illegal Gambling
No holds barred Sweepstakes casinos and poker rooms are under fire in the state of Florida, as state Attorney General James Uthmeier announced this week that his office has filed lawsuits against multiple sweepstakes gambling operators. Among the defendants are Stake and VGW, which owns major brands like Global Poker, Chumba Casino, and Luckyland. Also… Read more »
Tennessee, Oklahoma, Iowa Pass Anti-Sweepstakes Casino Laws
Banned in Tennessee Three states – Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Iowa – have recently taken legislative action against sweepstakes casino sites as pressure for the sites to comply with state laws ramps up. Let’s get right into it, starting with Tennessee. Last Friday, Gov. Bill Lee signed Senate Bill 2136 into law, banning online sweepstakes casinos… Read more »
Changes Coming to California Cardrooms Over Table Games
California is one of the states that has had cardrooms for most of its history. Since 1854, when the California Grand Casino opened in Pacheco, poker has been established in the state. It took off in 1984, when the General Assembly ordered the Attorney General to regulate the state’s cardrooms, and was further regulated in… Read more »
Virginia Bill Introduced to Legalize Online Gambling, Including Poker
Up to three sites per operator A bill has been filed in Virginia that would legalize poker, along with other forms of internet gaming, in the state. Introduced by Northern Virginia Democrat Marcus Simon on Tuesday, HB161 would place online gambling under the regulatory authority of the Virginia Lottery Board. There appear to be multiple… Read more »
Sports Betting Alliance Sues Chicago Over Licensing, Taxation
Need licenses, but none issued The City of Chicago may be in court as the calendar turns to the New Year. On Tuesday, the Sports Betting Alliance (SBA), an advocacy group formed by the country’s major sportsbooks, sued the city over a new licensing and taxation structure that is supposed to take effect on Thursday,… Read more »
Washington, D.C. Mayor Renews Attempts to Legalize Poker
“Long-term economic growth” After trying and failing just a few months ago, Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is giving the legalization of poker in the District another go. On Tuesday, the Executive Office of the Mayor issued a press release previewing legislation included in what she calls her “Growth Agenda,” one of which would make… Read more »
Race for Three New York City Casino Licenses Down to Four Competitors
Citi Field casino plan advances As the month of September came to an end, the competition for the three downstate New York casino licenses came into focus. With the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) expected to decide on the winners before the end of the year, all proposals have been voted upon by their… Read more »
Nevada Gaming Commission Approves Relaxed Regulations for High Roller Gaming Salons
Attempt to drum up traffic The Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) has approved a series of regulatory amendments in an attempt to boost activity at private gaming salons, the exclusive high-stakes gambling rooms at casinos for whales and celebrities. On Thursday, after an hour debate, the Commission voted to implement the changes, previously recommended by the… Read more »
India Parliament Bans Internet Gambling, Including Online Poker
Signing imminent Online gambling is about to become illegal in India. On Thursday, both houses of parliament passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, which bans the offering, promotion, and financing of online gambling, making them criminal acts with maximum sentences of five years in prison. The prohibition covers just about every form… Read more »
Mike Pence’s Conservative Policy Think Tank Wants to Get Rid of Gambling Deductions Completely
Bad policy didn’t go far enough Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” (OBBB) signed into law on July 4, 2025, has been largely panned by anyone who doesn’t pray at the altar of Trump. Not everyone was aware of it, of course, because not everyone follows politics. But just days before it passed, the poker… Read more »
Hawaii Sports Betting Bill Fails to Garner Support
While online poker receives extraordinarily little attention from state legislatures, sports betting continues to draw support from those very pols looking to raise revenues. Thirty-eight states plus the District of Columbia have passed some form of sports betting or daily fantasy sports, but one is going to have to wait for another legislative session before… Read more »
States Looking to Change Regulations Regarding Gaming
When it comes to gaming in the States of America, you certainly have fifty different approaches to it. A couple (Utah and Hawaii) outright ban the activity, online or live, although Hawaii is looking to change that. Every other state, through lotteries, DFS, online sports betting, or full-on casinos (online or live), has established regulatory… Read more »
Recent Arrests Demonstrate Poker Still Against the Law in Texas
We are a quarter of the way into the 21st century. We have been able to get sports betting legalized in almost 80% of the country. But one thing that has not kept up is legalizing the live action of a poker game. Recent developments in the state of Texas, the namesake of the best… Read more »
New York State Senator Throws Wrench Into Steven Cohen’s Bid for NYC Casino
New York State Senator Jessica Ramos has effectively blocked a proposal from New York Mets owner Steven Cohen to build a casino to build a casino next to the Mets’ stadium, Citi Field. On Tuesday, Ramos issued a statement saying that she will not introduce legislation to allow for the rezoning of parkland to make… Read more »
Does Online Poker Have a Shot in New York in 2024?
It has become almost as agonizing to watch the state of New York dance with online poker as it is watching California. For years both states have dallied with the notion of passing online poker legislation, only to turn away from the industry that potentially could net them billions in tax revenues. Could that be… Read more »
The Cordish Companies, Football Hall of Famer Bruce Smith Unveil New Virginia Casino Plan
Making the pitch The Cordish Companies, the owner of the Live! brand of casinos around the United States, has unveiled a new proposal for a mixed-used development – which includes a casino – in Petersburg, Virginia. The 400,000-square-foot Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia in Petersburg would cost an estimated $1.4 billion to build. The casino… Read more »
New York Congressman to Introduce Federal Bill to Regulate Sports Betting
Putting the clamps on ads As legal sports betting has spread throughout the United States, sports betting advertising has become more ubiquitous. Rep. Paul Tonko (D – NY) wants to put a stop to much of it plus implement a slew of other restrictions on sports betting. Working with members of the Northeastern University’s Public… Read more »
Pennsylvania State Senator to Introduce Bill Barring Credit Card Use for Online Gambling
Blanket ban In an effort to curb both rising credit card debt and problem gambling, Pennsylvania State Senator Wayne Fontana has said he plans to introduce a bill which would prohibit the use of credit cards on online gambling sites. “Online gaming and sports betting is growing exponentially, especially with young adults,” Sen. Fontana said… Read more »
Alabama Senate Committee Strips Sports Betting, Casinos From Gambling Bill
The Alabama Senate Tourism Committee has approved a bill to expand gambling in the state, but in the process, stripped most of the features out of a constitutional amendment and companion bill that the state House passed overwhelmingly in February. The constitutional amendment authorized a state lottery, up to seven new casinos, and sports betting.… Read more »
Resorts World Union Members Express Concerns About New York Online Casino Legalization Bill
Workers fear job losses New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo has been trying to get online casino gambling legalized in the Empire State years, having once again introduced a bill in January. But now, employees at Resorts World casino in Queens are expressing their anger about it, signing a letter to the politician to let… Read more »
New York Online Poker Bill Not Included in Governor’s Budget Plan
Not dead, not really alive It looks like it could be another year without online casino and online poker in New York. At least so far. Though state Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. introduced a bill to legalize online casino, poker, and lottery games last week, none of those were included in Governor Kathy Hochul’s… Read more »
American Gaming Association Speaks Out Against Federal Bill to Fund Problem Gambling Programs
Boosting needed funding The United States’ leading gambling industry advocacy and lobbying group has come out in opposition to federal legislation that would earmark a portion of sports betting taxes for problem gambling services. The Gambling Addiction Recovery, Investment, and Treatment (GRIT) Act was introduced by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) and Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-Oregon)… Read more »
Georgia Lawmakers Giving Sports Betting Legalization Another Try
Needs widespread support Lawmakers in Georgia are giving sports betting legalization yet another shot. Bills have been put forth every year since the US Supreme Court struck down PASPA in 2018, allowing states to legalize sports betting, but every year, the bills fall short. This week, yet another bill to legalize sports betting – a… Read more »
Petersburg, Virgina Wants Casino Referendum on 2025 Ballot
Richmond couldn’t make it happen The city of Petersburg, Virginia is hoping that state capital Richmond’s loss is its gain. According to ABC 8 News, Petersburg officials have submitted a request to the state General Assembly to hold a casino referendum in 2025. In 2020, state lawmakers passed legislation allowing for five brick-and-mortar casinos, all… Read more »
