Poker Law

United States Law
In the United States, Poker is generally treated under the law as a strange stepchild somewhere between entertainment and gambling. In most of the fifty states, it is legal but regulated, sometimes to such a degree that very few poker rooms have been opened.

US Law References

 * Poker Coach's full article exploring the legality of poker in all fifty states

California Gaming Law Links

 * The Tibbetts v. Van De Kamp decision, which made Hold 'em legal in California. (This 1990 case was decided on appeal in 1995, at which point Hold 'em became legal).
 * Is Playing Poker Online Legal In California?
 * Gambling in California by Roger Dunstan, an official report from the California Research Bureau.
 * Transcript of PBS Frontline 6/10/97, about California Gambling Law Changes
 * California Gambling Statute

Michigan Gaming Law Links

 * The Summer 2005 issue of Casino Lawyer magazine contains an article about Detroit casinos being given permission to build.

International Gaming Law Links

 * The Fall 2005 issue of Casino Lawyer magazine contains an article about the new UK Gambling Act.


 * Macau gaming law. Macau, China has overtaken the Las Vegas strip and is now the world's largest gaming jurisdiction. It is now well on the way to overtake Clark county.