Online poker extends its appeal beyond borders, encompassing different cultures and races. However, engaging in this game of skill is perceived as an illegal activity in some parts of the world. Despite this, it continues to provide poker aficionados with a means to experience playing this all-time favorite card game without ever going to a land-based gambling location.
As a matter of fact, playing online poker in the UK is considered legal, as well as in three states in the US—namely, Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey. However, the rest of the country labels online poker activities a mere violation of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA).
Therefore, online poker players based on the majority of the states in the US and in other countries, where Internet gambling is prohibited, conveniently finds their refuge in the world of Bitcoin poker gambling.
With the digital currency on board and the lack of rules and regulations that delimits the freedom of bettors to play poker with Bitcoin online, a loophole that circumvents the gambling laws against online gambling arises. This, however, is not to suggest that using Bitcoin for playing poker is illegal in any aspect.
Is Bitcoin poker legal after all?
By all means, playing Bitcoin poker online is legal. It does not break any law as long as the jurisdiction of the land strictly says otherwise. For instance, the Ministry of Finance and Public Administration of Spain cleared that gambling online with Bitcoin is covered by its Gambling Act, citing that Bitcoin has the ability to be converted to fiat currencies like the dollar and the euro.
Meanwhile, the case is not the same in the US, where the digital currency is merely considered as a legal property so far. This leaves the gambling activity in the gray area, but still allows players to play Bitcoin poker without any fuss.
However, it is advised to always keep updated with the Bitcoin poker legal matters since drafts and propositions to regulate the digital currency in various states and countries have gained momentum for the past few months.
The bottom line, though, is that indulging in Bitcoin poker should not be a cause of trouble with the authorities.