Online poker has been extremely lucrative for the investors an in the establishment owners who have provided the online poker rooms and casinos that so many players utilize every day.  Players all across the United States have enjoyed playing at online poker rooms since the inception of the Internet.  But now the government has chosen to limit the ability for United States players to play online poker rooms and casinos on the Internet by passing the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, which requires banks to refuse any type of transaction with online poker rooms and casinos of any kind.  This prohibition makes it impossible for players to simply whip out a credit card and pay for chips in the online poker room casino of their choice, as players are forced to utilize many bizarre workarounds involving third-party companies and other difficult techniques of funding their bankroll online.  The difficulties involved stem from the original law passed years ago called the Wire Act.  The Wire Act makes it illegal to earn income from gambling over United States communications transmission mediums, such as telephone lines and other communications methods.  While this was originally easy to circumvent by simply opening up shop for the online casino in Costa Rica or some other friendly location, now with the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, it is considered illegal to even participate in online gaming and poker room casinos programs such as rake back programs that share part of the rake back with affiliates that recruit other players as well as win at the tables and games.

This criminalization of the online poker match for users around the United States is a slap in the face to the freedoms of the individual citizen and online poker player enthusiast.  It is interesting to note that the Sands, the traditional brick and mortar gaming establishment, has entered into the online poker room and casino business.  But they have not chosen to enter into the United States poker room and casino business or even offer games to United States citizens.  Instead, the Sands has opened up an online poker room and casino presence in the European Union, making available to the rest of the world the services that should be available to Americans on an everyday basis.

As the United States government continues to crack down on smalltime betters and gamblers, the European gaming and online casino network grows stronger and more profitable with every passing day.  Many Americans have been forced to travel outside the United States simply to conduct their favorite pastime, online poker room and casino play.