Poker has been growing in popularity for a long time now, and some believe the 1970s is really when the classic card game started to explode.
The American Gaming Association presented some numbers earlier in 2022 on how the online poker industry brings in over $70 billion in revenue. This number is projected to skyrocket to $127 billion by 2027, continuing to show and prove how many people are engaged in the game. The rise started with the poker boom from 2003 to 2006; we saw the sport grab national attention, with some of the biggest events in poker being broadcast to the public.
Unfortunately, in 2011, the United States Department of Justice put an indictment on some of the biggest online poker platforms in the country. This caused many platforms to stop allowing users to put down real money at their online tables. Naturally, the poker industry as a whole was shaken as confidence started to lower about the ability to play these games. However, it has rebounded. The insanely popular poker tournament, the World Series of Poker, attracts thousands of players, many of whom qualify online.
Now here we are in 2022, is online poker still safe for people to play? Let’s talk about it.
Legality
Online poker isn’t legal in every single state. However, poker legalization is happening slowly all over the country. Right now, fewer than 10 states allow online games for real money. However, this has nothing to do with the platforms at-large but is rather on a state-by-state basis. New Jersey, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Delaware are the only states at this point in 2022 that allow people to play online poker. Remember, the ultimate question we’re trying to answer here is if playing online poker is safe. In this instance, the answer is black and white. So, if you want to get into the online poker scene, make sure you’re in one of those five states. The minute you’re in one of those states, it’s ok to play from a legal standpoint; it’s now about making sure you’re on a trustworthy platform.
Is Online Poker A Fair Game?
Once you’re in a state that’s legal to play in next, it’s important you’re playing on a site that gives the user a fair chance to win. Not just a fair chance either, but the same fair chance everyone else playing on that online platform has. It makes sense that some are concerned about fairness when playing over an internet connection where a lot isn’t being seen with our own eyes. Casinos implement something called RNG (random number generator) which makes it virtually impossible for the software to choose a predetermined winner. RNG makes sure everyone gets a random hand and is specifically in place to not only protect the casino itself but the players, too. The minute a business or platform tries to scam its players, its reputation takes a hit which means their wallets take an even bigger one.
How to Play Online Poker Safely
The easiest way to play poker online is to, first and foremost, make sure you’re in a legal state that allows players to compete. From there, it’s really about doing your research; most platforms allowing for online competition have gone throw a plethora of audits and tests just to be online in this capacity. Next, take a look at how many people are using the platform; online poker sites with large install bases have built a level of trust with their users… otherwise, they wouldn’t be playing.
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