GFY lawyers.. (online US poker/gambling industry question)
 

I'm just wondering what exactly it is that makes playing poker online at gambling sites illegal in the US? This is just a discussion and a little fact finding research.

Granted the game of Poker it's self isn't illegal. So is it just the betting part with "real" money that makes it illegal? Is betting with fake money still illegal if you are playing for prize money?

Would it be legal to have a site that charges a monthly fee but but allows users to join tournements that give out prize money? Expanding on that could you charge them a fee to join a money paying game, but all bets are made with virtual money/chips with no real value? Meaning the only way they can win any money is by winning the tourney prize money?

Is this kind of playing legal in the US marketplace?

Because US govt. and laws makers are idiots.

I mean gamling offline is fine, but when you are online .. its not? WTF?

This isn't a question about if they are idiots or not.. or if it's good or bad.

Just looking to find out if charging access to play, then offering prize money is legal or illegal.

You've touched on an interesting debate im examining myself. I think that if you had a "monthly fee" model, it may not constitute wagering as such even if the games are based on chance. It *may* therefore be legal but youd need to check on this.

However, that model has been shown to be far far less lucrative than the one upon which gambling games are currently based. I dont think i would want to venture into that area knowing full well that (a) the model doesnt work well, (b) the USA quite possibily will reverse its ban and (c) the major growth markets in the future are likely to be in Asia as opposed to failing economies like the USA which, in the short to medium term, faces recession anyway.