Hello! Isn't it illegal to play poker on the ...internet

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The "wire-wager" act specifically applies to phone lines. Those of us with Cable modems are in the clear.

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Yeah. Unfortunately, I have DSL. So far, the FBI hasn't busted down my door.

Though the wire wager act applies to phone lines the DOJ still says internet gambling (anywhere in the U.S.) violates the Act (if a state or locality says it IS legal, there will need to be a resolution of whose law takes precedent, it's usually federal law, kind of like the legalized marijuana thing). I think this is a load of bull poop and the laws just haven't caught up to reality yet. It makes no difference to the DOJ if you use dialup, cable modem, or DSL. But like I said, it remains to be seen whether a court of law would back up the DOJ's interpretation. So far no casual player has been prosecuted that I am aware of. The DOJ went after TV networks who took money for poker advertising but that's why all those .net "poker school" sites popped up. The DOJ doesn't like these either but the networks are willing to take the risk. They have lawyers too and they know a court somewhere is going to have to rule sometime on whether or not the DOJ's argument is valid. The DOJ may interpret the law but the courts get to decide if they're right.

I for one just hope the DOJ doesn't start messing with the banks that accept neteller transactions. Though banks have some really nasty lawyers of their own and deep political ties.

Incidentally, the reason the tax regulations are so confusing regarding poker winnings is because they are all geared to brick and mortar casino games. The feds need to stop crying about all this stuff, get over it, and write some new laws and tax codes that allow all of us to be the law abiding, tax paying, poker playing citizens we want to be. I hope the WTO ruling starts things in the right direction.