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Oklahoma’s legal real money poker and gambling stance can best be described as dichotomous. The Sooner State houses more casinos than almost any other state in the US, yet only two of OK’s casinos are permitted to offer table games and real cash poker games like Texas Hold’em. And while most forms of gambling and betting are regulated in Oklahoma, the state’s gambling statues are among the strictest we’ve encountered when it comes to Internet poker as well as land based real money lawful poker. Compounding matters further, it appears that Oklahoma’s gambling laws are vigorously enforced by the state’s law authorities – a true rarity.

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Real Money Poker Online The USA Legal Casino Websites. The next thing you want to do is to keep tabs on professional American players and look at where they play online. If they play poker on certain sites while they are in the US, you can be quite sure that this is a safe online poker real money site that you can play. A week later, New Jersey became the third state to legalize online gambling and made plans to issue licenses for online poker and online casino sites. In April 2013, the first-ever legal and regulated online poker site in the US went live in Nevada. Legal and regulated online poker sites went live in Delaware and New Jersey in November 2013.

So where does that leave online poker and Internet poker websites? Surprisingly, the issue of real money gambling on poker websites has already been addressed by one of OK state’s numerous tribal factions. Furthermore, other forms of online gambling besides real cash Internet poker already exist within the state of Oklahoma. That said, there hasn’t been a single word spoken by government officials regarding an authorized piece of iGaming legal Internet poker legislature. And it’s hard to say if they’re ever will be.

For those of you in Native America looking to make a wager on the virtual green we have found what you may be looking for. Oklahoma gamblers: discover real money US poker sites that you can easily access a free account.

Oklahoma Tribe Sues Feds Over Online Poker Rights

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• 5 The Facts

In 2013, the Cheyenne Arapaho Tribe of Oklahoma entered an agreement with the state of Oklahoma to provide social online gaming, not including Internet poker betting for real cash, to international territories with the stipulation that 20 percent of all real money revenues would go to the state ^[1]. Months after, the US Department of the Interior refused the legit Internet gambling deal, but not for the reasons one would expect. Instead, it revoked it because the state of OK was not offering any meaningful concessions in exchange for the 20 percent of revenues. In other words, the federal government was trying to protect the tribe from making a raw deal.

In September, the real money Internet betting agreement was amended in favor of the Cheyenne Arapahos and now it mentioned legal Internet poker in OK in it.

Under the new conditions, the tribe would pay the state 10 percent on all real cash betting revenue generated from non-house banked games (including real money poker), and less on electronic gaming revenues.

It was promptly rejected again. This time the Department of the Interior stated that Oklahoma couldn’t offer a service like Internet gambling to a market of real money poker playing patrons located exclusively outside of the United States. In response, the tribe, which operates two Lucky Star Casinos and real money poker rooms in Oklahoma, filed a lawsuit asking that the feds stop interfering with its affairs ^[2].

Should the Cheyenne Arapaho become iGaming Internet poker operators, it would mark an unprecedented victory for the tribe and iGaming poker websites in general.

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Can Players From Oklahoma Play Online Poker?

Not all legit online poker websites accept players from Oklahoma, as the state’s stringent anti-gambling laws likely scared some gaming and Internet poker operators away. Thankfully, we’ve managed to put together a comprehensive list of reputable real money poker websites willing to take a chance on players from Oklahoma. Our recommended real-money poker sites are currently offering some of the best first-time real cash poker deposit bonuses on the planet, and are well-known for their exemplary customer service and prompt payment schedules. Most importantly, they allow residents with few iGaming Internet poker options the opportunity for poker gambling fun from the comfort of their own homes.

Is Online Poker Legal In Oklahoma?

Online poker is not specifically addressed by Oklahoma’s gambling and betting statues. However, there are laws in place that explicitly prohibit all forms of unlicensed gambling and the transmission of gambling information, that could very well apply to online poker websites. Compounding matters, the penalties for violating Oklahoma’s sweeping gambling and poker betting statues, especially as a real money poker operator, are quite severe.

We unfortunately cannot provide you with an accurate answer regarding the legality of online poker at real cash Internet poker gambling websites in Oklahoma. What we can do is prepare you so that by the time you do speak to a legal professional, you’ll be equipped with an arsenal of useful poker websites information.

Key facets of Oklahoma’s gambling law listed below:

• The statues do not provide a spelled-out designation of gambling, although one can be inferred from the definition of bet, which is a bargain in which the parties agree that, dependent upon chance, or in which one of the parties to the transaction has valid reason to believe that it is dependent upon chance, one stands to lose something of value, including real money specified in the agreement. Purses and prizes associated with public events and charitable games are not classified as gambling bets. Section 21-981(1)

Notice that if the parties do not recognize the chance element of a game, the act of wagering or gambling is not considered a bet in OK. This caveat may be of some use to professional real cash poker players, who largely see real money poker as a game of skill.

Unfortunately, the term “poker” does show up in the section detailing penalties for gambling and poker betting operators:

• Section 21-941 reads: Except as provided in the Oklahoma Charity Games Act, every person who opens, or causes to be opened, or who conducts, whether for hire or not, or carries on either poker, roulette, craps or any banking or percentage, or any gambling game played with dice, cards or any device, for real money, checks, credits, or any representatives of value, or who either as owner or employee, whether for hire or not, deals for those engaged in any such game, shall be guilty of a felony. If convicted, illicit gambling operators face fines ranging from $500 – $2,000 and a jail sentence in an OK prison of one to ten years.
• Yet, the term poker is noticeably absent from Section 21-942 – Gambling Playing-Penalty. However, cards do make an appearance. The penalties for participating in any real-money game involving cards, dice or any other device which may be adapted to or used in playing any game of chance is subject to a misdemeanour in Oklahoma, potentially resulting in a fine between $25 and $100 and up to 30 days behind bars.
• The section Dissemination of Gambling Information (Section 21-987(A)) is the closest the statues come to addressing the issue of iGaming and Internet poker. It reads: Dissemination of gambling information is the transmitting or receiving, by means of any communications facilities, information to be used in making or settling bets. Violating the law is a felony.

Although the legality of online poker websites has yet to be debated in an Oklahoma court of law, the Dissemination of Gambling Information clause could easily include Internet wagering and real money poker websites in OK under its broad scope.

The gambling and betting law also states that social gambling like a home game of real money Texas Hold’em poker, regardless of whether a rake is taken or not, is also illegal. It also appears that real cash poker cannot be played at a regulated charitable gaming venue.

To view the entirety of Oklahoma’s statues ^[3], please visit the “References” section.

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The Facts

The History Of Gambling In Oklahoma

As early as the mid 1800s, makeshift horse racing gambling facilities littered the Indian held territories of Oklahoma. It was commonplace for the tribes to cross into Texas to compete with their southern neighbors, sometimes in the name of friendly rivalry, often times not. Around the same time, roulette and other games of chance and real cash poker were played in frontier saloons in OK.

Legal poker gambling and lawful real money betting continued to run rampant in Oklahoma throughout the latter part of the 19th century and into the 20th. It wasn’t until after the oil boom of the 1920s that the state of Oklahoma began cracking down on illicit gambling activities. Regulations on betting games like real money poker were slowly put into place, and by the middle part of the 20th century, legit gambling and betting venues were virtually nowhere to be found.

In 1982, the state took its first step towards gambling freedom when OK voters approved pari-mutuel real cash betting on horse races. Today, the state of OK boasts three racinos and the Fair Meadows Race Track – which offers gambling for real money on simulcast racing
^[4].

Then in the early 1990s, Oklahoma’s gambling and legit poker betting industry boomed. It was around that time that Indian tribes were permitted to open casinos and real money poker gambling facilities, something the state’s many tribal factions took full advantage of. Within years, bingo halls littered the state, some of which would go on to offer table games and legal real cash poker in Oklahoma. The WinStar World casino, in particular, is noteworthy for its 46-table real money poker room and varied lawful poker tournament offerings ^[5]. Today, Oklahomans can pick their poison from one of nearly 60 – yes, 60 – casinos and legal real cash poker rooms spread across the land.

Next came charitable gambling and a statewide lottery, which later expanded into a multi-state lottery, further increasing tourism from gambling fans and state revenue from the real money betting profits. To date, real money poker has not been approved at charitable gaming venues.

Most recently, the state introduced a form of legal real cash online bingo to its residents.

Regulated Gambling Options In Oklahoma

Most major forms of gambling and betting with the exception of commercial casinos and real money poker rooms, are legal in Oklahoma. But who needs commercial gambling when there are literally dozens of tribal casinos offering games like Texas Hold’em poker sprinkled throughout the state of OK?

Poker players in Oklahoma are playing online, but it may take quite some time before there’s a move to legalize online poker rooms.

The Future Of Regulated Online Gambling In Oklahoma

Oklahoma is one of only a handful of states that addresses the legality of online poker and Internet poker real money gambling, albeit indirectly. And despite its influx of casinos very few of them offer real cash poker betting.

Oklahoma State’s conservative voters are vehemently opposed to gambling and Internet poker expansion, and OK state officials are in no hurry to address the issue of legal poker websites for OK residents. All told, the aforementioned variables lead many industry experts to believe that Oklahoma is not likely to ever regulate online gambling or real cash Internet poker.

That said, Oklahoma’s two largest casinos do offer real money poker, and they are among the most profitable gambling facilities in the entire state of OK. This is no coincidence. Online bingo betting has also proven quite popular among locals. Given this, it’s at least possible that Oklahoma may one day permit online poker websites, but we’d still assess its chances of Oklahoma launching lawful poker websites as below average.

Fun Fact

The Oklahoma State Championship of Poker takes place at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa. The Main Event features a $1,090 real cash poker buy-in and a $50k guaranteed poker gambling jackpot ^[6].

The Bottom Line

It’s entirely possible that if Oklahoma’s overwhelming tribal populace begins pushing hard for online poker and lawful Internet poker, the state will buckle under its demands. Even if that doesn’t happen, if enough nearby states hop onto the iGaming poker websites bandwagon, Oklahoma’s gambling and poker betting industry will undoubtedly falter, forcing OK state officials to at least examine a new strategy which could include giving the go ahead to legal real money Internet poker websites.

However, Oklahoma’s small population of 3.8 million residents may limit its ability to operate a thriving iGaming Internet poker market in OK without an interstate Internet poker compact in place. Thus, don’t expect Oklahoma to be a part of the next wave of states that pass iGaming real money poker websites legislation.

References

[1] ↑Oklahoma Directs Tribes to Cease Online Gaming Activity

[2] ↑Tribe in Oklahoma Sues Feds Over Online Poker Site

[3] ↑Oklahoma Statues

[4] ↑Expo Square

[5] ↑WinStar World Casino and Resort – Poker

[6] ↑Hard Rock – Oklahoma State Championship of Poker

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This is a guide for online poker players in the America who want to know where they can play online poker and when they might be able to play in their home states. For states where online poker is legal, this is a guide for US online poker room reviews, poker sites available in your area, deposit bonuses, and online poker announcements.

US online poker laws seem to be changing monthly since government attorneys announced that the Wire Act cannot be used to prohibit states from allowing online poker. Online poker rooms and online gambling sites are clamoring for state licenses, and the US online gambling landscape is going through a major change.

For a select few Americans, online poker is here already. Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware are leading the United States into the billion-dollar-a-year industry, and many more states are looking to get into the game in the very near future.

By the end of 2015, as many as a dozen states could allow their residents to play on legal online poker sites. That number may be higher if a federal bill, the Internet Poker Freedom Act of 2013, is approved in 2014. But since the odds of that happening are less than hitting a one-outer on the river, all the online poker news concerning legislation is coming from individual states.

American online poker laws are about to go through drastic revision, and US online poker sites will pop up as the laws change. Laws are changing fast, and this guide promises to remain up to date on all possible movements concerning online poker legislation.

A brief overview of each state’s stance on online poker is below, but click through for a full update on the state’s online poker laws, and gambling laws in the state in general.

Alabama

Alabama doesn’t even have a state lottery. It’s home to some of the most morally strict policymakers in the country, so poker is not coming anytime soon. Read more ...

Alaska

Online poker legislation remains frigid in the great white north, but the game has a few fans who are elected officials, and although lawmakers resisted expanding almost any type of gambling in here, online poker has a chance. Read more ...

Arizona

Despite a thriving Indian casino industry — or more like because of it — lawmakers are being cautious with online poker. Also, the governor is a tough opponent of any type of gambling expansion, poker included. Read more ...

Arkansas

Online poker legislation may be far off, but unlike some of its neighboring states, online poker may come to Arkansas with a federal push. Read more ...

California

Online poker will come to California maybe as soon as 2014. A crowded industry split into three factions may delay action on online poker bills already submitted. Read more ...

Colorado

With a steady and strong push from its significant casino industry, online poker legislation is most likely forthcoming in Colorado sometime in 2015. The state is already studying the effects online poker would have. Read more ...

Connecticut

As its neighboring states start to allow their residents access to online poker sites, look for Connecticut to follow suit. As such a small state, it’s a prime candidate to contract with other states for shared player pools. Read more ...

Delaware

As of October 2013, online poker is completely legal, regulated, and live in Delaware. Read more ...

Florida

Two powerful casino forces — the racinos and Indian tribes — face off against a conservative state government intent on preventing gambling expansion. The governor has won the first round. Read more ...

Georgia

The official view toward poker here is as rigid as a Georgia pine. Poker is gambling, and gambling is bad in Georgia. Read more ...

Hawaii

Although one of the few states without any form of legalized gambling, Hawaii is rumored to be looking to get into the online-poker game. Read more ...

Idaho

Completely in the middle ground, there is no pending online poker legislation in Idaho. A grassroots effort would help here. Read more ...

Illinois

Online poker is being talked about by state officials. look for an online poker bill sometime in 2015. Read more ...

Indiana

With a conservative governor and minor casino industry, it’s going to take a political campaign by its online poker players to move online poker forward. Read more ...

Iowa

Since 2011, certain lawmakers have pushed for online poker legalization. Now with states going live, watch for Iowa to join the game in 2014 or 2015. Read more ...

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Kansas

A significant political shift is necessary for online poker to even be considered in the Sunflower State. Read more ...

Kentucky

Now that the powerful horseracing industry has wedged itself into the multi-state casino industry, watch for online poker legislation to move fast once more states go live. Read more ...

Louisiana

An online poker debate should come to Louisiana in 2014, with significant movement in 2015. Online poker does face some opposition here. Read more ...

Maine

Brand new to the casino game, and with such a pretty face, Maine would make a lovely interstate online poker partner. However, it remains a wallflower. Read more ...

Maryland

With a healthy paranoia that it is missing out on the online poker industry, lawmakers began to push for it in 2013. Look for another push in 2014 and beyond. Read more ...

Massachusetts

Cautiously optimistic is how online poker players in Beantown should feel. Online poker won’t come there as quickly as it should, but it’s likely coming at some point. Read more ...

Michigan

A large casino industry will fuel the push toward online poker. State lawmakers seem to be wary, though. Read more ...

Minnesota

With a strong casino industry, it would seem Minnesota would be further along with online poker legalization than it is. It may catch up soon. Read more ...

Mississippi

An online-gambling bill failed to make it out of committee in 2013, but a multi-billion dollar casino industry will have a say. Read more ...

Missouri

Another state with a significant casino industry, but with no real movement toward online poker or gambling legalization. It will join the game sooner rather than later. Read more ...

Montana

Poker is considered gambling here, and online gambling was outlawed in the state in 2005. With no pending legislation, it may be awhile. Read more ...

Nebraska

Poker-playing multi-billionaire hedge-fund manager Warren Buffett lives here and he hates the thought of online gambling. Poker is sadly included in his categorization. Read more ...

Nevada

Online poker is legal in Nevada, and several rooms are live for real-money play. Read more ...

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New Hampshire

For such a small state, New Hampshire has more online poker players per capita than anyone else. Still, there’s no pending legislation. Read more ...

New Jersey

Online poker and gambling is legal in New Jersey. Online poker will be available in November 2013. Read more ...

New Mexico

New Mexico's 20 Indian casinos will have a say in the legislation of online poker here. Tribes have threatened to stop payments to the state if it legalizes online gambling. Read more ...

New York

New York may very well be the fourth state to legalize online poker in 2014. It has the support of the governor, as well as many lawmakers. Read more ...

North Carolina

No real online poker push is coming from North Carolina. Check back once other states start to go live. Read more ...

North Dakota

This was once the first state to try to legalize online poker in 2005; the feds put an end to that. Online poker legalization is on the backburner. Read more ...

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Ohio

A state late to the casino game, online poker legalization has a real chance in 2015 or 2016, particularly if Pennsylvania beats Ohio to the market. Read more ...

Oklahoma

This state allows tribes to operate online poker rooms, with one major caveat: They can only do business with people living in other countries. What a rub. Oklahomans will have online poker sooner rather than later. Read more ...

Oregon

Once California begins to offer online poker, watch for Oregon’s Indian casinos to begin applying pressure to lawmakers. They have shown to be a savvy lobbying group. Read more ...

Pennsylvania

With one scrapped bill that would have legalized online poker and gambling, be sure another will come in 2014. Although facing resistance in committee, online poker should be here by 2016. Read more ...

Rhode Island

A prime candidate to partner with Delaware. Industry insiders say a contract is in the works. Read more ...

South Carolina

The online-poker industry faces major resistance here. Any talks of gambling expansion are immediately quashed. Read more ...

South Dakota

Online poker isn’t on the lips of any lawmakers here. But with a strong Indian casino industry, look for that to change in 2014. Read more ...

Tennessee

A strong religious base makes it difficult to move online poker legislation anywhere. Like, harder than shoving a mule through keyhole. Read more ...

Texas

Home of the congressman behind the Internet Poker Freedom Act of 2013, several bills that affect poker, online and otherwise, currently reside in committees. Texas looks like it wants to finally acknowledge the game. Read more ...

Utah

Online poker players in Utah at least have Nevada just over the border. Other than that, Utah is a desert for online poker players. Read more ...

Vermont

The tiny state may be game to contract with Delaware, New Jersey, and/or Nevada and allow its residents access to online poker sites. Once more states allow online poker, watch for Vermont to follow. Read more ...

Virginia

Online poker players must hope for political change statewide in order to eventually access online poker sites. It has a law on the books that outlaws Internet gambling. Read more ...

Washington, D.C.

Online poker was set to come to its citizens in 2013, but politics played its part and it was delayed. Online poker will definitely come to D.C. eventually. Read more ...

Washington

The only state that criminalizes the online poker player, a grassroots movement stemming from that law is growing. Plus, Indian casinos are now in favor of legalization. Read more ...

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West Virginia

State officials are most likely looking to contract with other states, probably Delaware. It may happen as soon as 2014. Read more ...

Wisconsin

The Indian casinos have yet to show their hand as to where they stand on online poker. There is no legislative chatter concerning online poker rooms. Read more ...

Wyoming

Lawmakers here are resistant to any form or gambling expansion, including online poker. If recent history is correct, online poker has a tough fight here. Read more ...

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