The history of online poker is a long and convoluted one. It all started with a game of Texas hold ’em between two friends, but it quickly grew into a multimillion-dollar industry.
In the early days, online poker was legal in all 50 states, and it was even used as a tool for educational purposes.
However, things started to change in 2006 when the U.S. Justice Department launched an investigation into the industry.
The probe eventually led to the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA). This act made online poker illegal in the United States, and it has been that way ever since.
Despite this prohibition, some people still play online poker in countries other than the United States. But doing so is illegal, and players who are caught can face serious penalties.
In fact, one man was recently sentenced to two years in prison for playing online poker in Canada.
So, when did online poker become illegal in the United States? The answer is 2006, when the UIGEA was passed. But even today, people who are caught playing online poker can face serious legal consequences.
