The United States has been a hotbed of online poker for decades, but only recently has regulation begun to affect the game. After Chris Moneymaker’s 2003 victory in the World Series of Poker, an unregulated market sprung up. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) forced many sites to shut down, but major poker sites such as PokerStars remained open to U.S. players for years. In the past, there have been a number of attempts to regulate the industry, but there are still no clear-cut rules and regulations.

Regardless of the legalities, playing poker for real money online allows for an enormous variety of games. There are approximately 15 million people playing poker online for real money, and some sites offer up to 40 tables. It is difficult to play poker offline with this much choice, so you can always find a game to suit your needs. In addition, you can play different kinds of poker, including cash games, tournaments, holdem, and omaha. No matter your skill level, there is sure to be a game available for you.

While the state law forbids online poker in Illinois, many unregulated sites operate from outside the state. These unregulated sites may not be legitimate and cannot provide a secure environment for your personal information or money. Moreover, it can be difficult to confirm their legitimacy, so if you live in Illinois, it would be wise to play elsewhere. In the meantime, if you’re interested in playing online poker, check your state’s laws and regulations first.