US Citizens Play Online Poker Despite UIGEA

December 15, 2007

Despite the United States Poker Ban, US citizens are continuing to play poker at sites like Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker, and gamble in droves. Here is a brief recap on the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) with the Safe Port Act – it is a United States Law that passed on September 30, 2006 and was signed by President George W. Bush on October 13, 2006.

Banks and credit card companies based in the United States are prohibited from moving monies to and from US players and online casinos; the penalty being up to five years of prison and/or fines if they willingly participate. Interestingly enough, poker blogs continue showing US citizens how to get around the law and to legally gamble online. If US citizens are able to move their funds to offshore accounts they can continue to play.

According to these blogs, transferring these funds can be done by using third party corporation payment processors like Epassport and eWallet Xpress or money orders. Other ways are by obtaining Canadian VISAs or other non US credits cards.

The most prominent blogs available are UnitedStatesOfPoker.blogspot.com and USCasinos.blogspot.com. This past year several companies that process payments have left the US market; December 4th, 2007 had yet another company, Britain’s Leisure and Gaming -FireOne, announcing they might be next.

This will occur if President George W. Bush signs a law that Congress passed at the beginning of this month on Establishing Consistent Enforcement Policies in the Context of Online Wagers. The British company is in discussion regarding selling their US based operations.