Hear the words “online gambling,” and what do you think of it? If you’re a resident of the US, it’s most likely to be sports betting. Over the past four years, more than 30 US states have amended their laws to allow people to bet on sports, and all but a handful have included online betting in the mix. 20 years ago, however, it was a different matter. Online gambling meant one thing – poker. It has been overshadowed by other forms of online betting in recent years, but the tide could be turning, and 2023 might just see online poker hit the headlines once again.
A pastime enjoyed by millions
It’s worth pointing out up front that online poker has never exactly disappeared off the radar. Industry analysts estimate that it is enjoyed by about 120 million players worldwide, approximately half of whom live in the US. However, poker has not been front and center in the minds of lawmakers, the media, or even the gambling industry. This is simply because it has been overshadowed by debates over sports betting and, to a lesser extent, online casinos.
With all that happening in the foreground, the poker community has been quietly getting on with life in the background. Most US online poker players use offshore-based sites as there are still only a handful of states where online poker is legal. However, the phrase “legal online poker” can be misconstrued. It doesn’t mean the US poker players in other states are breaking the law by visiting an online poker site – but it would be a different story if they tried to operate one!
Changing times for online poker
So why do we see 2023 as such a pivotal year for online poker? The clues to the future lie in the past. Back around the turn of the millennium, tens of millions of Americans were playing online poker. That’s not so different today, but the point is that this was at a time when internet usage in the US was at about 43 percent (it’s more than 90 percent today). Back then, online poker sites were an unregulated mess, a little like 19th Century Dodge City transported into cyberspace. Still, they came, and still, they played.
Since then, two things have happened. First, the internet has cleaned up its act. Online poker rooms are as closely managed and controlled as land-based ones – often more so. In other words, there is no difficulty in finding a reputable online poker site where your money is safe.
Secondly, voters and lawmakers have, in general, warmed to the idea of online gambling. True, California is an exception to that rule, but remember those stats from earlier. 35 states have legalized sports betting. Civilization has not collapsed as a result, but tax revenue has taken a major shot in the arm. Don’t be surprised to see them look to other forms of gambling next and to see the subject of online poker infiltrating state senates across the land.
