Online poker is a fun, easy-to-play game that rewards actual skill unlike slots or the lottery. It can be played from a computer, tablet or phone and for any stakes you want to play for.

When selecting an online poker site, look for a wide range of banking methods that work for both deposits and withdrawals. These are a must to ensure you can quickly add and remove funds without any hassles.

Legality

Online poker is legal in Missouri, but it must be played at sites that are regulated. These sites follow state gambling statutes and are held accountable if they violate any laws. However, there are also offshore sites that claim to be outside the US and do not have to follow US or Missouri law. These sites are called gray market sites and pose more risks for players.

New York lawmakers have introduced numerous bills to legalize online poker in the past, but they have failed to gain traction. A recent court ruling that struck down the skill argument for daily fantasy sports hurt prospects even further.

Massachusetts lawmakers have shown interest in legalizing regulated online poker, but they have yet to introduce any bills. The state already has a handful of land-based casinos and offers pari-mutuel horse betting at several racetracks. This makes it unlikely that a regulated online poker bill will be passed in the near future.

Games offered

Online poker is an interactive card game played against other players or the house. It is available to anyone with an internet connection and a computer. It was first introduced to the public in 1998, when Planet Poker was the first virtual site to offer real money hands. Despite some software issues and crashes at the beginning, it became popular among American gamers.

When playing for real cash, a player must verify his or her identity. This is done by entering personal information such as a name, phone number, address and email address. The player may also be asked to upload scanned supporting documents.

While online poker is not as popular as it was before 2011, it has gained new momentum since the introduction of hole-card cameras and a rise in popularity in the US. This has resulted in a larger player pool and a chance for greater sharing of prize pools. As a result, tournaments with higher payouts have been launched.

Payment options

Credit cards are the first deposit options that many online poker players choose because they’re easy and quick to use. They’re not the only deposit methods, though. Some operators offer eChecks, which work the same way as paper checks but can be much quicker and more convenient. Bank wires are also an option but can come with higher fees than other methods.

Some poker sites accept prepaid vouchers such as PaySafeCard and EntroPay. They’re popular in some countries and help players keep their bankroll separate from other spending money. There are also several eWallets that can be used at poker sites, such as PayPal and Neteller.

Cryptocurrencies are another growing deposit option, especially for high-rollers. These are often instantaneous and have the added benefit of anonymity. Most legitimate online poker sites list their banking options somewhere on their virtual pages, such as a deposit or withdrawal methods link from the homepage or in a dedicated section.

Regulation

Online poker sites regulate their operations through a range of software capabilities that include age and identity verification, financial services, anti-money laundering solutions, cyber security, geolocation, responsible gambling advocacy, and more. Many of these solutions are delivered via APIs or hosted by service providers.

In the US, the first real money online poker site, Planet Poker, was launched on January 1, 1998. The site quickly became popular and was soon followed by a number of newer, more sophisticated poker sites.

Despite players clamoring for regulated online poker, lawmakers have been reluctant to introduce legislation to allow it. A major political or social shift would be needed to make that happen. In the meantime, lawmakers in states such as Colorado and Iowa have considered it, but none have been able to garner enough support to get a bill passed. They also have vested interests in brick-and-mortar gaming, which makes it difficult for them to approve regulated online poker.