Illegal Online Poker Continues in Washington State

Washington State legislators will explain it to you: they did not create a new law that made online poker playing illegal, they simply clarified an old law which means that online poker playing has been illegal all along. This is cold comfort to those players who are in fear of legal repercussions from following their pastime, and in some cases, their source of income. While they may be afraid of potential legal persecution, they aren't afraid enough: many online poker players in Washington state continue to play their games although they will take enough care not to reveal their identities to reporters and others. There may be something to their cautious, but persistent, approach to playing online poker as state officials do acknowledge that Washington and federal authorities have little ability to enforce most Internet gambling statutes.