Online Poker States
PokerStars is currently licensed in two US states, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. PokerStars NJ operates under the land-based casino license of Resorts Atlantic City. PokerStars PA operates under the license of Mount Airy. Federal laws that affect online poker. New Jersey was the third of the three current states that have online poker legalized and operating. With a population three times that of Nevada, the inclusion of New Jersey to the U.S. Online poker landscape was a large step forward.
There has also been one significant event (“Black Friday”) that sculpted the current landscape for online poker in the United States. States that have Regulated Online Poker. Following the release of the Department of Justice´s opinion, three states introduced legislation for the regulation of online poker – Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey.
While poker fans know that the game is the best option for online gamblers, it is not the most lucrative for operators. As such, it has proven challenging to get online poker legalized, especially as a standalone activity.
However, it is not impossible. Today, we will take a look at signs that online poker has a legitimate chance to become legal in your state. These are not guarantees, but based on our industry observations, these signs are great indicators that online poker may finally get legalized in your area.
Sports Betting is Already Legal
If you live in a state where sports betting is the only online betting activity presently legal, there are good odds that you will see online poker and online casino games in the future. Many states instantly jumped on the sports betting bandwagon once the Supreme Court opened the door for legal sports betting. These states have seen the benefits of sports betting, and this makes them much more receptive of online gambling.
Generally, you will see a bill to regulate both online casino gambling and online poker as the next step for states. It is seldom you will see a state pursue online poker as a standalone activity. The reality is that online poker doesn’t bring the types of revenue that online slots and online casinos bring.
Multiple Border States Have Legalized the Activity
We are beginning to see more states regulate online gambling, and this has started to put pressure on other states to do the same. For example, states that border New Jersey and Pennsylvania are already seeing players hopping over state lines to gamble in those states online. This takes away tax dollars that states could use.
If you’re beginning to see multiple border states start to legalize online gambling, there is a good chance your lawmakers will start looking at the activity. Not only is it a way of “keeping up with the Joneses,” but it is a matter of keeping tax money in the state.
Your State Announces a Budget Crisis
Another potential sign that online gambling may come to your state is budgetary concerns. We’ve often seen states turn to gambling expansion as a way to sold potential shortfalls in state budgets. Now that sports betting is legal and the Wire Act appeal resolved, states can pursue multiple online gambling options to help fill gaps.
Online gambling legalization in Connecticut seems likely in 2021 after the state's governor allotted tax revenue from the source in his recent budget proposal. https://t.co/rLrwxooPyxpic.twitter.com/0BxYSehYMo
— Card Player: The Poker Authority (@CardPlayerMedia) February 13, 2021
This isn’t a guarantee that online poker will be legalized, but you can almost guarantee that the issue will be looked at. With the changing face of online gambling in the United States, this will likely result in regulation more often than not.
Your Governor is Supporting Online Poker and Gambling
The approval of your state’s governor is vitally important for getting online gambling expansion passed. Just look at what happened in Michigan when its governor sided against the activity. While Gov. Whitmer finally came around, it delayed regulation by a year.
The opposite can prove true as well. Governors that support online gambling expansion will generally push for the issue to be addressed by the state legislature. Just look at New Jersey when Gov. Chris Christie was on board with the activity. It resulted in the state being the frontrunner for online gambling across the nation. If your governor is on board with the activity, you should start looking forward to bills being introduced in the near future.
Online Gaming Companies Start Partnering With Live Casinos
We’ve regularly heard of gaming companies wanting to expand into the United States and some assume they are signing deals left and right to do so. The opposite typically holds true. We often do not see online gaming companies pursue deals in states unless there is a good chance that the activity will be legalized soon.
Online Poker United States
As such, if you start seeing online gaming companies sign deals with casinos or other state entities, there’s a good chance they know something you don’t. If a bill is not currently on the docket, one is likely coming soon.
Before you mention PokerStars in California, realize that they were lobbying to try and get the activity passes. However, once it became clear that this wasn’t happening, they quit putting money in the state. PokerStars hasn’t been active in California in years, and you probably won’t hear any company put any serious money into the state until the climate for online gambling changes.