The COVID-19 pandemic has caused massive increases in online poker traffic worldwide. This disease caused many unlicensed gaming venues to shut down, leaving the world with few options for live entertainment. Because of this sudden shortage of live entertainment, casual players have quickly turned to online poker. Most operators have reported more than double the traffic compared to the previous year. As a result, online poker has become an excellent alternative for many people. Regardless of the level of your poker skills, there are several ways to maximize your online poker experience.
Legal US online poker sites require players to give consent for the installation of geolocation software on their devices. Geolocation software is a security measure to ensure that players are located in a legal jurisdiction. While this measure can be abused, online poker sites are legally obligated to keep this information confidential. Nevertheless, you should be aware that your privacy rights may be at stake if you choose to play on a site that requires location information.
Although some states have legalized online poker, more are likely to follow suit. As of right now, online poker is legal in Nevada, New Jersey, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. In the coming years, more states are expected to follow suit, making online poker a viable option for many players. If the internet allows gambling, why not make online poker legal in your state? Those are just a few reasons why it’s legal in the US.
While most US poker sites do not offer legal poker, the majority of their traffic comes from only a few. However, fewer than forty poker networks have detectable traffic levels. There are more than 600 independent doorways into these networks. This means that most online poker traffic is concentrated on a few large networks. Hence, you can find a US online poker site that suits your personal preferences and needs. The best part of legal online poker is that it’s available on a variety of devices.
While many US online poker sites don’t require deposit funds, players who play for a long time can get rewarded with loyalty programs that reward them for regularity. These programs often offer rewards in the form of bonuses, cash, or real rewards. When choosing an online poker site, make sure to familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions of its loyalty program. The difference between a good and a bad loyalty program can make all the difference to your bottom line.
Fortunately, US online poker sites have never faced a ban from the government. After Chris Moneymaker won the WSOP Main Event at PokerStars in 2003, the number of online poker players skyrocketed. However, a few states, including New Jersey, saw these events as a threat to the interstate lottery market. Ultimately, the US Department of Justice has repelled the DOJ interpretation of the Wire Act, which makes online poker transactions illegal for US residents.