FurryCons.com by FanCons.com. FurryCons.com is a site dedicated to listing all furry conventions around the world. It is built on top of a platform pioneered by AnimeCons.com and FanCons.com and shares. The Vfcasino Online Schedule real money Vfcasino Online Schedule online casino world depends on bonuses to attract and retain players. With no physical location and no way to see the player face to face, a casino must find a compelling reason for you to make a deposit to try out their games, and the most common way to do Vfcasino Online Schedule so is to give you a significant match play bonus.

Valley Forge Casino in King of Prussia, PA – a northwest suburb of Philadelphia – is now home to the FanDuel Sportsbook, both live and online. As one of two Pennsylvania resort casinos, the other being Lady Luck Nemacolin, it is unique as a casino that attracts weekenders throughout the area.

There are also plenty of additional area attractions to make a long weekend to VF Casino well worth the trip.

FanDuel online betting begins testing, retail sportsbook already open

FanDuel at Valley Forge started taking bets at its retail sportsbook on March 13, 2019. A few months later, FanDuel got its PA betting app up and running on July 22, 2019. It is the first betting app available for iPhone users and the first to integrate sports betting activity across New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Originally, Valley Forge was working toward having VFCasino.com ready to launch on July 15, 2019 but it missed that date. On Jan. 24, 2020, FanDuel Casinolaunched via Valley Forge, making it the first online casino to carry the FanDuel branding.

It was the sixth online casino available to residents and visitors to PA. Players can access the online casino component through the FanDuel Sportsbook app and now also through a standalone FanDuel online casino app for PA.

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Valley Forge Casino online gambling overview

Valley Forge is one of the eight casinos in Pennsylvania to apply for the package deal of PA online casino licenses. For $10 million, the property applied for permission to provide online slot play, online table games, and online poker to Pennsylvania residents.

Valley Forge received its approval for online gaming on Oct. 3, 2018. In the meeting, Valley Forge presented its plans in great detail and outlined the roles of its strategic partners. They are:

• FanDuel – primary partner, will help facilitate sports betting and now also online casino
• IGT – online gaming platform design
• GAN – player account functions and management, including risk management
• GeoComply – design and monitoring of geolocation functionality
• Aristotle – age and identity verification services

Valley Forge Casino overview

Due to its special status as a resort casino, access to Valley Forge Casino was formerly strictly limited to those who were overnight guests or members of the resort or who purchased either $10 or more in resort amenities or a $10 gift card. That has since changed after Valley Forge paid the one-time $1 million fee in October 2017 to remove the amenity fee.

Who can play in the Valley Forge casino?

As per state law, the minimum age to enter the casino and play is 21. This age requirement is strictly enforced. However, children are welcome to stay at the hotel. If a rollaway or crib is needed, be sure to include your request at the time of your reservation.

Security and fairness

All Pennsylvania land-based casinos, including the Valley Forge Casino, are licensed and regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). This agency is responsible not only for determining which games are permissible, the maximum number of each type, and rules and payouts, but also making sure that a safe and fair playing environment is maintained at all times.

As for the restriction of the casino to hotel guests and those who pay the access fee, as irritating as that might be, one good thing about it is that it keeps the riffraff away. That might not be the case at a casino where virtually any adult, player or not, can walk in and out freely.

Valley Forge casino games

Valley Forge Casino is open 24/7. While smaller than the casinos you may be accustomed to playing in, including most of the other Pennsylvania casinos, Valley Forge has a total of 600 slot machines and 50 table games, the maximum permitted by law for a facility classified as a resort casino. There is no poker room.

Online Slots

A casino doesn’t need to have thousands of slots for players to find plenty of games to their liking, especially when they get to choose from a diverse collection from different manufacturers, as is the case at Valley Forge Casino. Whether your tastes run more towards the familiar favorites you have played before or if you are ready to try something brand new that might be even more exciting, this casino won’t disappoint.

Here are some of the most popular slots at Valley Forge Casino:

• Bridesmaids
• China Shores
• Quick Hits Triple Blazing Sevens
• Wheel of Fortune Big Money
• White Orchid
• Roman Tribune
• Cash Man – African Dusk
• Tarzan
• Fire Light

Low return to player on slots

Unfortunately, the payouts are not at as a high of a rate as players hope. Penny machines, in particular, even when multiple coins are used, tend to have a lower return to player (RTP) than higher denomination machines. However, at Valley Forge Casino and, in fact, at the Pennsylvania casinos in general, the returns on the higher level slot machines are nothing to write home about either. The average RTP for all of the slots is only about 89 percent.

One of the reasons why the Pennsylvania casinos are not more generous when it comes to slot payouts is the relatively high 55 percent tax rate they pay, so they pass on the increased cost to their customers by tightening the machines. This is disappointing, but the PGCB set the minimum return on slots statewide at only 85 percent, so an 89 percent return is clearly within their guidelines.

The best advice for players is to keep your sessions at the slot machines short and after a win, if it looks like the machine is tightening up, leave a winner rather than continue to play.

Online Table games

When you feel like taking a break from the slots, table games are another option at this casino. In addition to video poker, you can choose from any of the following:

• Blackjack
• Super 4 Blackjack
• Spanish 21
• American roulette
• Baccarat and mini baccarat
• Three card poker
• Ultimate Texas Hold ‘em
• Pai gow and Pai gow poker
• Bix Six wheel

The games are offered at a wide range of stakes. High-end players might want to check out the special high limit table games area located at the south end of the casino, offering four blackjack tables and three mini baccarat tables. The comfortable lounge setting also includes a bar serving premium-brand cocktails.

Online Roulette

The form of roulette that is offered at Valley Forge Casino is American roulette. This game has both a single and double zero. There is no indication that European roulette, a more favorable game to the player is also offered. The difference is reflected in the house edge (5.26 percent for American roulette vs. 2.71 percent for European roulette).

Online Blackjack

If you are going to play table games at Valley Forge Casino, blackjack is clearly your best bet. Since blackjack is one of the most popular casino table games worldwide, virtually every major casino offers it. And luckily for you, the Pennsylvania casinos offer some of the best blackjack games in the country.

An important difference between blackjack and most other casino games is both luck and skill come into play. In addition, depending on where you play, you are likely to encounter different sets of rules, which can make the game either more favorable or less favorable. Among the Pennsylvania casinos, too, some variations exist with regard to number of decks (six or eight), type of shuffle, and optional side bets. However, the basic rules stipulated by the PGCB are uniform. Here they are:

• Blackjack pays 3:2
• Dealer stands on soft 17
• Doubling down permitted on any two cards
• Doubling down after splits
• Splits up to three hands (except aces)
• Late surrender

Using correct basic strategy, the house edge on this game is only about .40 percent. Another nice feature, which those wishing to play for small stakes will appreciate, is that the blackjack rules at the lower limit tables are the same as for everyone else. Many casinos take advantage of low stakes players by instituting tougher rules, like blackjack paying 6:5 and the dealer hitting soft 17, just for them, but at Valley Forge Casino, you don’t have to worry about that.

Table limits and alternative blackjack games

You still need to be properly bankrolled to play. Come with the expectation of finding $10 minimum and up tables on weekdays and $15 minimum and up tables on weekends.

Another form of blackjack offered at this casino is Spanish 21. The basic strategy is different for this game, as the 10 cards are removed, but there are some extra bonuses. So if you are contemplating playing Spanish 21, be sure to familiarize yourself with it beforehand.

In addition to the standard blackjack bets, Valley Forge Casino offers its blackjack players the opportunity to make certain side bets. These bets may be fun to try once in a while, but keep in mind that they have a much higher house edge than standard blackjack bets, so you should refrain from making them regularly.

Match the Dealer side bet

If you bet on this option and either of your first two cards match the dealer’s upcard.

The winning payouts for six-deck games are:

• one unsuited match: 4 to 1
• two unsuited matches: 8 to 1
• one suited match: 11 to 1
• one unsuited and one suited match: 15 to 1
• two suited matches: 22 to 1

The winning payouts for eight-deck games are:

• one unsuited match: 3 to 1
• two unsuited matches: 6 to 1
• one suited match: 14 to 1
• one unsuited and one suited match: 17 to 1
• two suited matches: 28 to 1

Super 4 Progressive Blackjack

Valley Forge Resort Casino claims to be the only casino in the area offering this side bet. It is an alternative to the Insurance bet, where if the dealer has a blackjack, you break even on the hand. Here is how the optional $5 Super 4 blackjack bet works:

Ordinarily, when the dealer has a blackjack (unless you have one, too, or have taken insurance), it’s the last thing you want to see because your hand is an immediate loser. But for those who have made the Super 4 side bet, if the dealer has a blackjack, the players’ two cards are combined with the dealer’s blackjack hand to make a four card poker hand. The payouts for the bet are:

• Diamond Royal Flush: Jackpot
• Any other Royal Flush: $1,000
• Three of a kind: $750
• Straight: $350
• Flush: $250
• Two Pair: $150
• All same color: $75
• Any pair: $50
• Any hand: $25
• Dealer Ace up: $15

Valley Club player rewards program

Valley Forge Casino Resort offers both a player rewards program called Valley Club, which is free to join, and a resort membership program with additional privileges, which visitors must pay to join. All Valley Club members receive a card for tracking their play so they can be rewarded accordingly. When playing any slot game, insert the card into the machine, and when playing any table game, hand the card to the dealer.

Comp points based on play

The comp points you earn based on play can either be redeemed the same day or accumulated and used on a future date. They are valid towards purchases in all food and beverage outlets on the property and the Valley Shop and toward resort membership rewards. Once points are redeemed, it is final; the comp points cannot be re-added to your account. Unused points expire after 12 months if the player remains active, but after just six months if there is no activity. On top the earned comp points, additional comps and promotional offers based on play are issued at the casino management’s discretion.

Valley Club and Valley Elite

The Valley Club Player Rewards Program consists of two levels: Valley Club and Valley Elite. All Valley Club cardholders start at the Valley Club level, but are upgraded to Elite status upon earning 1,000 points in a calendar year. Elite membership expires on January 31 of the following year. In order to maintain Elite privileges, the player must continue the required level of play. In addition to all of the regular benefits of Valley Club membership, Valley Elite members receive all of the following enhanced benefits:

• VIP hotel check-in and room upgrades
• Early check-in and late checkout privileges
• Personal casino host
• Exclusive event invitations for player and guest
• Priority line access throughout the property
• Invitations to Valley Club Elite tier renewal events
• Weekend getaway package
• VIP designer gift offers
• Premium beverages at Enclave Bar
• 20,000 American Airline Advantage Miles

Valley Forge Casino Resort

The property is situated at the busy intersection of Route 422 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, about 20 miles northwest of Philadelphia. The fastest and easiest way to get there from Center City Philadelphia is by car. However, the 125 bus also goes there. The bus ride takes about an hour.

Besides the casino, Valley Forge Casino Resort includes:

• • Two three-star hotels with 485 rooms and suites
  • State-of-the-art conference center
  • Seven dining establishments
  • Nightclub
  • Outdoor pool and beach area
  • Fitness center
  • Spa
  • On-site parking
  • Free wireless Internet
  • Free shuttle service to and from the King of Prussia Mall

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Nearby attractions

The King of Prussia Mall contains more than 450 retail stores, boutiques, and restaurants, making it the largest shopping mall on the East Coast and the second-largest in the country. (Only the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN is larger.)

The resort is also a mere mile away from Valley Forge National Historic Park. In fact, critics objecting to the casino’s location claim that it detracts from the meaningfulness of the historic patriotic landmark. However, the surrounding community has been largely supportive of the casino.

Accommodations

Guests who wish to stay overnight can choose either the Casino Tower or the Radisson Hotel Valley Forge adjacent to the resort. Rooms are more reasonably priced than at many other hotels in the Philadelphia area and about a third of the price of rooms at Pennsylvania’s other resort casino, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington. But keep in mind that these are three-star hotels, not five-star hotels. Both hotels (but not the casino) are 100 percent nonsmoking. Note that the prices quoted below do not include added tax and resort fees.

Casino Tower

The Casino Tower consists of 160 deluxe, oversized guestrooms. The prices shown online for randomly selected dates start at $159/night. Depending on the type of room and when you book it, you might pay more, but finding suitable accommodations under $200/night should not be a problem. There is also a special Federal Government rate of only $124/night. Surprisingly, accommodations on Friday and Saturday nights do not appear to be any more expensive than on weeknights.

All of the rooms and suites offer the following amenities:.

• One King or two Queen beds
• Cable TV
• Bathroom with soaking tub
• Alarm clock
• Coffeemaker
• Hair dryer
• Iron and ironing board
• Microwave
• Refrigerator
• Free wireless Internet
• Modem and modem jack
• Free newspaper

If you book a Junior, King or Queen Suite, for an extra $25/night, you can get a rollaway.

Another option is the Shopping Spree package (including discount coupons and transportation to and from either the Premium Outlets Mall or the King of Prussia Mall), starting at $249/night.

Radisson Hotel

The Radisson Hotel Valley Forge consists of 325 rooms and suites, starting at $132/night, is a popular choice for business travelers. Amenities include all of the following:

• One King or two Queen beds
• 37” flat screen cable TV
• Large work desk
• Free high speed wireless Internet access
• Coffeemaker
• Complimentary bottled water
• Microwave
• Refrigerator
• In-room safe
• Hair dryer
• Large chair with ottoman

If you wish, you can upgrade to a Business Class Room or one of the high floor renovated guestrooms. Some additional amenities that come with the Business Class Rooms are:

• Breakfast and drink coupons for two guests
• Complimentary robes and slippers
• Early check-in

The Radisson participates in the Radisson Hotels Rewards program, which allows you to earn points for your stay. Frequent guests might earn enough points to qualify for complimentary room upgrades, early check-in and late checkout, and even a night’s free stay.

Restaurants

Guests wishing to dine at Valley Forge Casino Resort have a choice of seven restaurants, including two from renowned chef Luke Palladino: an upscale steakhouse called LP Steak and an Italian eatery open weekends in the summer only called Franco Italian Kitchen. Other options for casual dining are Valley Tavern, American Grill, Asianoodle, and Italian Market, and a poolside club called Valley Beach open seasonally.

Entertainment and Nightlife

Compared to some of the other Pennsylvania casinos, where there is little, if anything, happening outside of the casino itself, at Valley Forge Casino Resort, it seems like there is never a dull moment. One of the highlights of this resort’s entertainment scene is the Valley Forge Music Fair featuring headline comedians and nationally known musical acts.

In addition, guests can enjoy Karaoke Fridays with Cisco Kid between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. at the Valley Tavern.

Valley Beach has a sandy beach, private cabanas, and an outdoor pool that is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Guests can enjoy poolside dining and drinks from a food truck and bar during the day and live entertainment Saturday nights.

Entrance to Valley Beach is free for overnight guests of the hotel. Others can purchase a day pass for $10 or a Beach Tag season pass. The latter can be purchased either at the door or through Ticketmaster.

Summary

Valley Forge Casino Resort is a nice place to visit either just for the day or evening or for an overnight stay. Its proximity to Center City Philadelphia as well as the world famous King of Prussia Shopping Mall and the Premium Outlets Mall, another major shopping mecca, makes it easy to combine a visit to the casino with other exciting activities. Those who need a place to spend the night have a choice of two moderately priced hotels. While the rooms are large and most guests should find them adequate, you are not paying for luxury accommodations, so don’t expect them. Some customers have complained about long waits to check in, the décor being dated, and the rooms in need of renovation.

Other common complaints on sites like Yelp and TripAdvisor specifically relate to the casino. The $10 entrance fee is a turnoff to many visitors. Many players also find the casino too smoky and are disappointed with the slot payouts.

The best features that Valley Forge Casino Resort have to offer are a very good blackjack game and player rewards program, lots of fun promotions, and plenty for guests to do outside of the casino.

Valley Forge Casino Resort
1160 First Avenue
King of Prussia, PA 19406
1-610-354-8118

• by Sean ChaffinJanuary 31, 2021
• by Sean ChaffinJanuary 29, 2021
• by Bart ShirleyJanuary 26, 2021

Legal Online Poker Sites in the US

Where is online poker legal in the US?

The following six states have now officially signed legislation to offer legal US online poker:

1. New Jersey
2. Delaware
3. Nevada
4. Pennsylvania
5. West Virginia (Not live yet)
6. Michigan (Not live yet)

Four currently have open and operating legal online poker sites. And there are some differences between each of the regulated online poker states.

• Nevada only permits online poker.
• New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware also spread casino games banked by the house (More about NJ online casino and Pennsylvania online casinos).
• Nevada, New Jersey and Pennsylvania allow the state’s brick-and-mortar casinos to operate online sites. In Delaware, the state lottery is the sole operator.
• Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware have entered into an interstate online poker agreement. If you play in those three states you can compete against each other only on WSOP.com.

Where can I play online poker in the US right now?

NJ online poker

New Jersey is currently home to the most online poker sites. Those sites are spread across four distinct networks and operate through three different licensees. Here are your options:

New Jersey online poker sites

• PartyPoker NJ (Borgata Poker, BetMGM Poker)
• Pala Poker

WSOP NJ is the second biggest site after Borgata/partypoker. It used 888 software, but was a standalone room. 888 operated its own platform, but began to share player pools with WSOP.com in January 2015.

PokerStars NJ launched in New Jersey on March 21, 2016.

The site opened at around the same size of WSOP.com and Borgata. Since launch, PokerStars has been the top site in the Garden State for much of its tenure.

In April 2018, New Jersey joined the multi-state compact with Nevada and Delaware. The agreement allows the three states to share their player pools across state lines.

Background

The New Jersey legislature legalized online poker and casino games in the state in December 2012. After some back-and-forth between Gov. Chris Christie and the lawmakers, the governor finally signed the bill into law.

As a result, New Jersey online poker and casino games launched on November 21, 2013. Borgata and its partner Party Poker dominated the New Jersey online poker world at the time after launch.

Pennsylvania online poker

Pennsylvania became the fourth state to legalize and regulate online poker and online casino play in the U.S. when Governor Tom Wolf signed bill H 271 on Oct. 30, 2017.

Online poker was expected to launch by July of 2019. However, that date was pushed back until PokerStars officially launched on Nov. 4, 2019. It was the first online poker site in Pennsylvania.

The site is now fully operational with the excellent software, cash games, and tournaments that players have come to expect. PokerStars has promised much more for players in the state and received a nice reception from many in the state.

There are eight casino or operators attempting to launch online poker in Pennsylvania right now. One of them is MGM Resorts, which applied for a license as a qualified gaming entity through its Borgata property in New Jersey.

Pennsylvania casinos which have both applied for and been approved to offer online poker are:

• Mount Airy Casino (now live through its partnership with PokerStars)
• Harrah’s Philadelphia
• Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course
• Parx Casino
• Sands Bethlehem
• SugarHouse Casino
• Valley Forge Casino

Nevada online poker

Nevada was the first state to launch regulated online poker. In December 2011, the Nevada Gaming Control Board adopted regulations pertaining to Nevada online poker sites.

The regulations required affirmation through the Nevada legislature. Nevada lawmakers meet on a biennium. The state passed the regulations governing Nevada online poker in February 2013.

On April 30, 2013, Ultimate Poker launched as the first regulated online poker room in the US. The launch was flawed due to poor software and unproven geolocation services. Ultimate Poker attracted about 300 peak players and the same number of players participated in sit and gos and tournaments.

WSOP.com launched on September 17, 2013. WSOP.com enjoyed massive brand awareness and dominated the market within two months.

Ultimate Poker succumbed to the small intrastate poker player pool in Nevada. It left the Nevada market on November 17, 2014. This leaves onlyWSOP.com and Real Gaming in the Nevada online poker market.

On March 24, 2015, a liquidity sharing agreement between Delaware and Nevada went live. New Jersey joined the compact in April 2018. So, players from three states can now sit at the same table.

Technically, there is a second active poker site in Nevada. Real Gaming, backed by South Point Casino, launched in February 2014. However, the site never has gained more than 1 percent of the market at any time. Currently, its influence in the market is small enough that WSOP more or less enjoys a monopoly in the market.

Nevada online poker sites

Valley Forge Casino

Delaware online poker

Delaware was the second state to legalize and regulate online gambling. It was legalized through the state legislature in June 2013. Online casino games went live on October 31, 2013. The Delaware online poker network opened on November 8, 2013.

Delaware offers online poker and casino games through its state lottery. Interactive gaming is marketed through its three video lottery racinos.

888supplies the platform all three sites. The online poker room shares liquidity between all sites. Delaware and Nevada started sharing online poker player pools on March 24, 2015. New Jersey joined the pool in April 2018.

Delaware online poker sites

• Doverdowns.com
• Delawarepark.com
• Harringtonraceway.com

West Virginia online poker and casino

West Virginia joined the online gambling party on March 27, 2019. Gov. Jim Justice allowed H 2934, the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act, to become law without his signature.

The law allows the five land-based casinos to apply for interactive licenses. Each license initially costs $250,000 and must be renewed for $100,000 every five years. Casinos will pay 15 percent of revenue in taxes.

The five properties which will develop online casino sites in West Virginia are:

• The Casino Club at Greenbrier Resort
• Hollywood Casino Charles Town
• Mardi Gras Casino
• The Mountaineer Hotel, Casino & Resort
• Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack

Legalization is terrific news, but active online gambling in West Virginia is still somewhat in the future. The state’s officials will have to create a set of regulations. The best estimate from various sources is that the first online casino with online poker in West Virginia won’t appear until 2020.

Can I play at a legal online poker site while not in that state?

No. Legal online poker sites use geolocation software to ensure that players are located in the state at the time of action.

This takes into account the IP address of the player, location of a related cell phone, and nearby wireless access points. It is impossible to play at legal online poker sites when located outside state lines.

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You do not have to be a resident of that state to play online poker there, however. If you visit any legal US online poker state you can download and create an account from your home state, claim any no deposit poker bonus, make any additional deposits and then play online poker when you arrive as long as you are within state borders.

Why should I choose legal poker sites?

One of the biggest advantages to playing online poker at regulated US sites is that all player funds are just as safe as they would be at a licensed real money online casino in any of those states.

The very same gaming regulations that apply to live and online casinos are also valid for regulated US online poker sites. All deposits are held in separate accounts from cash used for operations.

There are also ample deposit and withdrawal methods that are safe and secure. Legal poker sites in the US accept deposits by:

• Visa
• MasterCard
• Electronic checks
• Neteller
• Skrill
• PayNearMe (7-Eleven)
• Cash at associated casinos in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, etc

How do I withdraw from legal poker sites in the United States?

Legal poker sites pay winnings by:

• Electronic check
• Check by mail
• Bank wire
• Neteller
• Skrill
• PayPal
• Cash at associated casinos in Atlantic City,Las Vegas, etc

Regulated online poker sites also undergo rigorous checks to ensure that games are fair and secure.

When will online poker be legal in my state?

The situation regarding online poker bills is always changing. There are several states that are considering legal online poker currently. They are:

• Connecticut
  • S 17 would legalize online gambling and sports betting
• Kentucky
  • H 175 would legalize online poker, sports betting, and daily fantasy sports
• New York
  • A 4924 would certify online poker as a game of skill under New York law
• Tennessee
  • SJR 165 would legalize all forms of online gambling
• Virginia
  • HB 2321 seeks to study online gambling expansion of all types

Two more states, Illinois and Massachusetts, are also interested in online poker.

History of legal online poker in the US

Legal US online poker sites debuted on April 30, 2013.

Ultimate Poker was the site that made history. Nevada was the first state to host fully legal online poker. Texas Hold ’em was the only game spread at Ultimate Poker during its first six months in business.

WSOP.com joined the Nevada online poker market on Sept. 17, 2013. The World Series of Poker’s online site brought the first games of Omaha, Omaha High/Low, Seven Card Stud and Seven Card Stud High/Low to Nevada.

WSOP.com now controls 99 percent of the Nevada market. This near-monopoly was caused by the shuttering of Ultimate Poker in November 2014.

Delaware online poker was the second state to launch. There is one network powered by 888. The state’s three racinos – Delaware Park, Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway – are skins on the Delaware poker network. Nevada and Delaware began pooling poker players in April 2015.

WSOP.com and 888 were the sites responsible for creating the first legal interstate online poker pool.

New Jersey online poker came next on Nov. 21, 2013. There are currently three poker networks in New Jersey. One hosts Borgata and partypoker, the other has WSOP.com and 888 on it, and the third is made up solely of PokerStars NJ. All networks are about equal in overall size at any given point in time.

There were three additional poker platforms in New Jersey when the state launched regulated poker sites. 888 was originally a standalone site before it merged player pools with WSOP.com. Ultimate Poker was unable to gain more than 3 percent of the market share.

The Ultimate Poker site was shuttered on Oct. 5, 2014. The associated UCasino was also closed at that time. Betfair failed to attract any players and closed its poker site on Dec. 1, 2014. Betfair still operates an online casino in New Jersey.

After a long legislative battle, Gov. Tom Wolf signed a bill into law that legalized and regulated online gambling in the state of Pennsylvania on Oct. 30, 2017, making it the fourth state to legalize online gaming. The bill legalized online poker, online casino table games, online slots and daily fantasy sports.

It also allowed for a number of other gambling expansions such as online lottery, tablet gambling in airports, video gambling terminals at truck stops and 10 satellite casinos. Players were officially able to play online poker in PA in 2019.

Why isn’t there a federal online poker bill?

There have been many attempts to pass an online poker bill at the federal level.

• 2009 – Rep. Barney Frank first proposes regulated online poker.
• 2011 – Frank and Rep. Joe Barton attempt to get Congress to repeal the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA).
• 2012 – Sen. Harry Reid and Sen. Jon Kyl combine to propose a poker-only bill, known in the poker community as Reid/Kyl. The bill dies when Congress adjourns.

Nowadays, the federal government is more likely to focus its attention on sports betting. Unfortunately, online poker and gambling just doesn’t rate for many constituencies as key issues.

There does seem to be a movement towards greater states’ rights, however. The dismissal of PASPA in May 2018 allowed sports betting to proceed at each state legislature’s discretion.

A recent reversal of Department of Justice opinion on the Wire Act may also end up being a net positive for online gambling advocates. The DOJ seems to have been swayed by anti-gambling lobbyists funded by Las Vegas Sands owner Sheldon Adelson.

Neither the states nor the media are amused by the appearance of corruption and impropriety. As a result, online gambling might become a medium for states to argue a greater issue, and thus, rise in prominence.

What is the UIGEA?

UIGEA is an acronym for the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. It passed Congress in September 2006 and was signed into law by President Bush two weeks later.

The UIGEA made it illegal for banks to process payments for unlawful gambling sites. It did not define what that was. Most publicly-traded sites immediately left the US market after the UIGEA was enacted.

These included Party Poker, iPoker, Microgaming Poker Network, Ongame, and 888. All of these examples returned to the US market when states started to regulate online poker.

What is Black Friday?

Black Friday was the day the US online poker community describes April 15, 2011.

On that date, PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, and Absolute Poker were charged with gambling crimes by the US Department of Justice in the Southern District of New York.

Unfortunately, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker did not have enough cash on hand to pay players. PokerStars paid all customers within weeks. Strange as it may seem, it was PokerStars that eventually made all Full Tilt Poker players whole after coming to an agreement with federal authorities.

Will the federal government ban online poker?

Federal law allows states to legalize and regulate online poker. This is specifically exempted from the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. A September 2011 Department of Justice opinion confirmed this and explicitly gives states the right to permit intrastate gaming.

There was an attempt in Congress to reverse this legal opinion. The effort was spearheaded by Sheldon Adelson, founder and CEO of Las Vegas Sands, the parent company of Venetian in Las Vegas.

Adelson’s lobbyists submitted the Restoration of America’s Wire Act (RAWA). The bill failed in 2016 and does not appear to have much support in this Congress. Libertarian groups, states’ rights activists, governors, state lotteries and most of the gaming industry have come out in opposition to RAWA.

Since then, Adelson and company have been working through other channels to head off online casino and online poker play. It is extremely likely that the group effected some degree of influence over the Department of Justice’s January 2019 opinion to reinterpret the Wire Act.

In that opinion, the DOJ essentially reversed its prior position on the statute to say that the law actually pertains to all gambling, not just sports betting. Needless to say, there were many parties in opposition to this opinion.

So far, the opinion has not found much success in court. A June 2019 ruling from a New Hampshire federal court dismissed the opinion from affecting that state’s lottery commission and an associated vendor. Only time will tell if the precedent will ripple out to other interested and/or affected parties.