Big news from the U.S. Department of Justice today that could pave the way for intrastate, or potentially Federal, online poker in 2012:

http://www.pocketfives.com/articles/...etting-587044/

This decision essentially green-lights states to open intrastate online poker rooms on their own without Federal permission since it appears overly likely that the DOJ won't intervene. Whether interstate online poker would be permitted isn't clear.

what a waste of time and money by the DOJ and gov't on the whole online poker thing.

 

Originally Posted by MUPokerPlayer

wtf!?

so the UIGEA does not cover online poker b/c it is not "unlawful"? so all of the indictments from black friday will be overturned? and all the $$ seized from poker sites' bank accounts was done so w/o merit?

this could be huge!

already hitting the mainstream media:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanva...rnet-gambling/

from the WSJ: Internet Poker Is Sort Of Legal!

You can read the Wall Street Journal article to see that it's still a little ambiguous. The Black Friday indictments, for example, invoked the UIGEA and Illegal Gambling Business Act, not the Wire Act.

I've asked Rich Muny from the PPA to come into this thread and answer a few of your questions specifically.

Here is the PPA's official statement on the matter, although I am sure Rich will share a little bit more:

http://theppa.org/press-releases/201...tion-12232011/

I tried to reach out to PPA Executive Director John Pappas, but could not connect since it's the Friday before Christmas. I am actually in a car traveling home for the holidays and was pretty surprised to see this news break today after the ruling was handed down three months ago.

So does this mean the U.S will be able to have online poker because of this wire act?

this news seems freaking huge to me,seems like no coincidence nevada is getting things ready to roll

sounds like they caught wind of this before the public did

the doj is still not going to feel it violated anything since money laundering was a driving factor

i believe this news though is awesome and hopefully federal legislation is extremely possible

But if sites can operate without federal regulation, then why do we want it? Just wondering...

Seems like this could be the first domino in our favor, cautiously optimistic that this turns out to be really big news.

homerun poker players? am i missing something here ? this seems like the best news ever. Nevada will provide consumer protection the american way .

Nevada poker jan.1st 2012???? [wishing i lived in nevada?]

hey california u wanna make money ? i say provide for intl play as well as the whole country .don't do intrastate ,open it up to the world and prove its legal

Question...Then whats up with pokerstars... Whats the reason now why we can't play??

stars wasn't busted for money laundering I don't think. Maybe I'm wrong.

It's great news for us. If Congress doesn't act, poker will eventually be available in a clearly lawful manner in states that have not outlawed offering the game. If Congress does act, they'll have to address poker this time if they wish to pass anything.

PPA has been working with the DoJ, expressing our belief that the scope of the Wire Act ought not be interpreted as including poker. This included meetings and presentation of a white paper on the topic. These efforts paid off big time today with the DoJ announcement on the matter.

I'm gratified by the efforts of the poker community here. IMO we're in a great position now!

does anyone have any idea of what states would definately not be for having online poker? a friend of mine is under the impression that new york would definately not be for it but I disagree since gov. cuomo is looking to have regular casinos in ny so i wouldn't imagine he would be against online poker. thanks in advance. Excited that I may be able to play poker again just hope it is sooner rather then later. Any predicitions of when we will be able to play online? Ill take intrastate right now but hopefully it will be on a national/worldwide network eventually.

 

Originally Posted by Dan

Rich, can you talk a little bit about the UIGEA and its applicability to online poker given the DOJ's Wire Act clarification? The Black Friday indictments cited the UIGEA and Illegal Gambling Business Act, not the Wire Act.

Sure. UIGEA applies to online poker in states where offering unlicensed online poker is unlawful. The ruling just came out, so I imagine plenty of people are out there now trying to make the determination of where it's not unlawful to offer the game.

You are correct in noting that the Black Friday indictments did not cite the Wire Act, so I don't expect this ruling to affect those cases.

IMO, the main thing here it not to seek a pre-UIGEA poker market. We know that's unstable and doomed to failure. Rather, we now have an opportunity for either federal licensing or intrastate games. Congress will likely seek to act, and they'll have to deal with the poker community as they move forward. If they act, we have a very good shot at getting licensing included so the bill itself can move forward. If they don't act, some states will be happy to act in their absence IMO.