In the United States, online poker has a long and tumultuous history. Legal online poker began in 1998 when Planet Poker was launched. However, the internet itself was still a new technology and was not yet spurred by legislation. It took another decade before online poker became a regulated business. The law is still uncertain, but the industry continues to grow. Regardless of the legislation, there are many ways to play online poker responsibly.

While online poker is widely available on the internet, some states have not passed legislation regulating it. Some have been slow to act, with Michigan becoming the latest state to legalize the activity. Others haven’t passed legislation, but are considering legislation to regulate online poker. Until the laws change, however, there are some key steps that can be taken to ensure the safety and security of players. First, online poker companies should be regulated by state governments.

Second, check if the online poker site accepts your preferred payment methods. Usually, online poker sites send you an email containing a link to verify your account. Once you verify your account, you can then access the cashier section of the site to deposit your funds. Most sites accept credit/debit cards and bank wires. Some online poker sites even offer email deposit options. To ensure the safety of your money, set a budget before playing online. Never stake more money than you can afford to lose.

Finally, make sure you have a good understanding of the various poker variations. A simple Internet search will produce thousands of results, ranging from a few dozen to dozens of sites. To help you decide which site to join, look for poker training websites. These websites will guide you through basic poker strategy to more advanced techniques. This way, you can enjoy playing poker on the Internet without worrying about losing your money. If you have trouble deciding which version of online poker to play, take a look at the many tutorials available online.

The states that currently allow online poker for real money are: New Jersey, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The likelihood of online poker becoming regulated in Alabama, West Virginia, or Michigan is almost zero. You can also play online poker in many other states. However, if you live in the US, you must know that you can play poker legally in the state of your choice. You may find the game a little more convenient in the United States than in other countries.

New Yorkers who favor legal online poker in New York have a number of steadfast champions in the state legislature. Assemblyman Bonacic recently announced his retirement, and Assemblyman Addabbo has picked up the torch. Other lawmakers such as Assemblyman Vanel and Assemblywoman Pretlow have been supportive of online poker legislation. And Governor Cuomo recently reversed his position on online sports betting and recently endorsed online poker legislation.