Internet poker tournaments and the law

[Taxman]

I've read that technically online poker is probably illegal in California because it has raked pots and California only allows cardrooms that charge timed drops. Tournaments however are not raked every hand, so would this make them legal to play online?

[Stew]

[ QUOTE ]
I've read that technically online poker is probably illegal in California because it has raked pots and California only allows cardrooms that charge timed drops. Tournaments however are not raked every hand, so would this make them legal to play online?

[/ QUOTE ]

California would have no jurisdiction over a "pot" that resides technically in South Africa.

Either it's legal or isn't in California, tournaments are probably irrelevant.

[bad beetz]

there was a law that made internet gambling legal in California in the last few years. however this law referred to online bookies, but whatever.

[BreakEvenPlayer]

Listen up freaks... The US (or state) government is not going to show up at your front door and cuff you for playing internet poker. If it ever does become illegal or even more strictly regulated, we will all know about it because internet poker is become a WIDESPREAD phenomenon. Relax and earn some money while it's hot, I actually haven't spent a second worrying about the legality of internet poker. Just pay your taxes and keep the checks coming.

BEP

(By freaks I meant Gabyyyyy and the other fear-mongers)

[milobloom]

I've played several times in California and only paid a rake - so I'm not clear on your info - unless this is a recent change.

[Webster]

bad beetz is 100% correct - the laws in SOME states are NOT for Poker (if you are looking for loop holes).

Internet Gambling laws are for sports wagering and Poker is a loop hole (if you are looking for one).