What You Should Know Before Joining an Online Poker Site

US residents may not have much choice when it comes to choosing an online poker site. As of right now, online poker is regulated at the state level. Every state has the right to pass its own legislation that pertains to online poker. However, these laws only apply within the state’s borders. As such, there is no federal law regarding online poker. However, more states are considering legislation. Here’s what you should know before deciding to join an online poker site.

First, download poker software. A download of the poker software will take up little space and won’t take very long to complete, even on archaic Internet connections. You can also play poker games without downloading the software, although this version won’t offer the same features as the download version. You can use this option if you don’t have much memory to spare. This is an excellent option if you’re unsure whether to download the software.

Despite the federal government’s initial opposition to online poker, the US market has been largely unregulated for decades. The first online poker websites appeared in the late 1990s, and the unregulated market grew after Chris Moneymaker’s 2003 victory. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) eventually forced many of these sites to shut down, but some, like PokerStars, remain accessible to U.S. players.