AmericasCardRoom accepting over 60 cryptocurrencies
April 14, 2011 the Department of Justice and FBI effectively shut down Americans participation in the 3 largest online poker sites operating. Among poker players the date is known as "Black Friday". This attack was launched from the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) President Bush signed into law.
What the UIGEA did was make criminal the payments to online poker rooms from US banks. So its not illegal to participate playing online poker under federal law. It is criminal to fund or collect winnings from online poker accounts via US banking. Now many online poker sites are accepting cryptocurrencies. No bank required. What will they try next?
The reach of the laws has enough influence that Coinbase will not allow their users to fund online poker accounts direct from the Coinbase account even though its not considered illegal gambling. The largest, PokerStars, still does not allow USA players to participate in real money games but they do allow US players to maintain accounts to play there using play money. Many of the other online sites have opened up real money play to Americans again. I would not be surprised that one day Uncle Sam tries to block access to the online poker websites again. So, probably best to not keep much of a balance in the online poker account. Another nice feature of using cryptocurrency to fund online poker accounts is the speed of getting it in and out.
Anyway, I really enjoy the sense of freedom that cryptocurrencies have brought back into my life. I am fairly certain they will be attacked by those being stripped of power and control but will win against all challengers.
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STOPThanks for the votes! This is kind of cool!
Awesome post, on a topic that seems to be a bit neglected.
Cheers to you!
I have used a couple sites. There are some now that use coins that are bought and can be traded back for cash. They use loopholes in the law. I haven't liked the design of the crypto sites yet but most of the legit sites do allow deposits in BTC now too.
Could always play freeroll for steem @spl too. Thats my new addiction. Win/win IMO.
Sorry about such a long delay to respond. Just getting over a bad case of being a total steemit newb. I had not yet played many of the sites that except coins now, only ACR. As you said I now find myself addicted to @spl freerolling. Still @spl is a long term slow building payoff. I need to get back to playing more at the other places mostly to try to get some wins and have them send me the BTC b4 it goes thru the roof. BTW well played vs me in our hands early in the tourney yesterday (Sunday 50). Think you had me once and bluffed me out of another, no matter, you got the chips both times.