NewswireToday - /newswire/ - Miami, FL, United States, 12/20/2006 - The new Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act aka UIGEA does not make the act of playing poker online or even owning a poker website illegal. You can still play poker or even own your own online poker room.

Most poker players are under the impression that the newly passed law has made online poker illegal. This is not the case. The act simply bans US financial intuitions from processing gaming transactions from US customers. It further refers only to forms of online gambling that are already deemed illegal due to previous laws enacted; such as the 1961 Wire Act's prohibition of gambling activities restricted to sporting events or contests. A point to which to refer is “In Re Mastercard International,” decided by District Court Judge Stanwood R. Duvall, Jr. in 2001. Among other issues, Judge Duval was faced with the question of whether the Wire Act applied to online gambling. The judge’s answer was no. It does not!

The question as to whether Poker can be broadly lumped into this category remains a highly debated issue. In the 1980’s, BILLY BAXTER went into a fight with the IRS over his declared poker tournament income being considered earned or unearned. In both federal district court and then at the U.S. Court of Appeals, judges affirmed that poker was indeed a game of skill.

Texas Hold’em Poker solutions that accept US players are at a premium right now. Internet Gaming Solutions out of Costa Rica is offering several packages that include online poker software for those looking to start their own poker room. Beyond that, clients can decide what additional options they would like; websites, support, banking, incorporation, etc.

IGS, in conjunction with their software developers, is also pioneering the development and offering of membership-based poker rooms. These rooms can be created to conform to all US laws and be entirely legal to own and operate from within the United States. Membership-based poker websites would appear to be next major phenomena in the gaming industry while offering a viable solution to the many US poker players that are looking to have fun playing poker legally. The object is to play for fun and play for prizes based on a monthly membership with no actual money being deposited into player accounts.

The online poker industry has shown that it will continue to thrive. Internet Gaming Solutions can steer hopeful poker room operators in the right direction and jurisdictions.

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