There are several good reasons to play online poker. In the US, for instance, operators pay significant taxes on their revenue. These funds are then put to good use, such as helping schools and improving social programs. Plus, US poker sites typically offer the best bonuses in the world. This is partly due to competition among US poker sites. Moreover, they are increasingly introducing valuable promotions and reload bonuses to lure players. And the US market continues to grow.
The most popular United States poker sites are available in a variety of formats, including mobile and desktop versions. Some sites cater exclusively to Windows-based computers, while others offer software for Apple, Android, and iOS devices. Since online poker is so popular in the US, a great deal of data is generated about which software is best for various platforms. Listed below are some of the best options for US players. However, keep in mind that not all poker sites are legal in the US. Fortunately, most online poker sites offer mobile versions of their software.
Legality. Currently, online poker is only legal in a few states. Any operator that operates outside of these states is not operating legally. Although some states have regulated online poker sites, others have not. Always double-check whether a website is legal in your state before signing up. Additionally, operators licensed in the US must be run by US companies, and big international poker brands must create US entities to be legal. In addition, these companies are responsible for all their actions within the US.
Increasing the number of players who play poker online is a key reason to play responsibly. A four-table online 6-max session is equivalent to 16 live sessions. While this does increase the number of hands per hour, players have more incentive to cheat. That means the online game can produce more mathematically improbable events more frequently. Moreover, if the RNG is rigged, online poker sites have nothing to lose by altering it. That is why you should play only with reputable online poker sites.
The number of states regulating online poker is increasing steadily. Currently, only a handful of states have legalized online poker. However, the federal government has succeeded in pushing out many global online poker site operators from the US market. Several offshore operators still accept US players, however. This is good news for American poker enthusiasts. Just don’t play illegally. These states are just getting started. In a few years, online poker will be legal in every US state.
However, if you live in California, you’ll still have to sign up with a site outside the US. Many of these poker sites operate out of Costa Rica, Panama, and Antigua and Curacao, so they don’t have to worry about gambling laws in California. Even though California is an exception, some online poker rooms will block US players from playing. In general, though, it’s safest to play poker from a US jurisdiction.