Legal Online Poker For Virginia Residents
Virginia statutes on gambling are extensive and wordy especially when it comes to legal Virginia online poker. There's even a specific provision in the Virginia state gambling laws about charity duck races. Lawyers love when language is so extensive like that—it helps define the entire scope of a state's position on gambling.
Is Online Poker Legal In Virginia?
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Is online poker legal in Virginia? The answer to that question cleared up a bit recently thanks to a legal opinion handed down by the US Justice Department. Clarifying the jurisdiction of the 1961 Wire Act, the DoJ stated that this act applies only to wagers placed on sporting events, excluding games like poker and other casino games. Yes, the UIGEA is still in place, making most transactions between banks and online gaming sites illegal, but now online poker players all over the country can play the game they love without the Wire Act dangling over their heads.
Legal Online Poker Sites For Virginia Residents
Best Virginia Poker
Bovada Poker
100% Poker Bonus Big Tournaments
Great Support
New Poker Site
BetOnline Poker
25% Poker Bonus Fast Growing
Good Support
Growing Poker Room
Intertops Poker
100% Poker Bonus Big Tournaments
Great Support
We recommend three online poker rooms for Virginia citizens: Intertops Poker, Bovada Poker, and BetOnline. All three of these sites are legal options for online poker play for Virginians, and offer payment transfer options that satisfy the requirements of the UIGEA.
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Bonus: Up To $100 |
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Bonus Code: NA |
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Intertops Poker offers a first deposit bonus of 110% up to $600 for North American players. Intertops operates on the Cake Poker Network, one of a few poker sites that still legally accepts American cash wagers. The peak traffic at Intertops is averaging 6,000 players as of this writing. Games available at Intertops include Texas Holdem, Omaha Hi, Omaha Hi/Lo, 7 Card Stud, and 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo.
In Virginia, gambling is defined as "the making, placing or receipt, of any bet or wager . . . made in exchange for a chance to win a prize, stake or other consideration or thing of value, dependent upon the result of any game, contest or any other event the outcome of which is uncertain or a matter of chance." Defining gambling as involving games of chance leaves the door open for skill games like poker. Though Virginia has not officially declared online poker legal, the state has no law to charge an online poker player with breaking, and to date not one Virginia citizen has been convicted for gambling online.
There's another interesting provision in Virginia's gambling laws. This provision says that Virginia's gambling laws are not meant to " . . . prevent any contest of speed or skill . . . where participants may receive prizes or different percentages of a purse, stake or premium." By that language, online poker tournaments and cash game play are completely legal. There is also built-in protection for private gambling. "Nothing in this law shall be construed to make it illegal to participate in a game of chance conducted in a private residence." Virginia is clearly a poker-friendly state, and now that the federal heat is off online poker, maybe Virginia will consider outright legalization.
Note: The above was not written by a lawyer, just a poker player familiar with state laws and online poker. If you have more detailed questions or want advice on the legality of online poker in Virginia, contact a lawyer. Check out www.legalpokeronline.com for more information..
