Online Poker Still Going Strong
I’ll admit I was like most when the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act passed , predicting doom and gloom for online poker. It’s not hard to understand why, considering that in the days after Congress voted for the act the game’s largest online poker site, Party Poker, announced it was pulling out of the U.S. market and it was soon followed by other heavy hitters like Paradise Poker and Interpoker. In addition, Firepay, one of the top two payment services for funding online accounts, announced it was also leaving the U.S. market. It appeared to be dark days for online poker players.
But the onus of the act was put on the offshore poker providers, as well as U.S. financial institutions to stop payment to these providers. The act didn’t address U.S. online poker players and the legality of playing itself. The act was designed to prevent players from funding accounts.
Despite the fear that the market would be completely destroyed by the new act, which President Bush signed into law about a week after it passed, there are still plenty of options for American online poker players. It’s not surprising that Americans continue to play online poker in droves. The former Party Poker players have migrated to other online poker sites like PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Ultimate Bet, privately owned firms that continued to do business with U.S. customers from their safe and secure overseas home bases -- and away from the reach of U.S. law.
What does the future hold for online poker? The World Trade Organization has already sided with the tiny Caribbean nation of Antigua in its argument that the United States is in violation of international trade agreements with its position against online gambling, but the WTO doesn’t truly hold much power over U.S. decision making. The Poker Players Association is making headway in their fight on Capitol Hill and I wouldn't be surprised to see the law get reversed in late 2011.
For now, we'll just keep playing online poker at USA poker sites.
If you're like me and get bored of playing online poker, play at these RTG Casinos that accept players from the USA. You may also consider some th these online casino sites as well. You can visit USA Online Casinos for a complete list of casinos accepting players from the US.
One of the largest and safest online poker rooms is with no doubt 888poker. 888poker wasn't hurt by Black Friday, as it doesn't accept US players. If you're in Europe, Canada, Australia and even Africa and Asia, join 888 poker to receive $8 FREE to start playing poker online today!
Go big or go home – those are the words that Aussie poker players live by. And with a series of freeroll tournaments it's easier than ever before. Learning to play poker online is a snap with Aus poker and especially the Australian poker league.
Immortal Romance Casino has all the hottest online casino games.
If you like playing poker online then you will probably also love to play video poker both online and at the local casino. There are several variations you can play and video poker is the only casino game in which you can have a 1% advantage on the house if you please an optimal strategy.