Nevada and New Jersey now offer online poker to gamblers in their state, but three central issues cloud online poker’s future in the U.S.
In an editorial column, OnlinePokerReport.com tackles these three issues—the use of poker bots, payment issues and clearing up confusion about the legality of online gaming.
The use of poker bots—computer programs that aid players and sometimes can play by themselves without a player—has continued to grow. The bots create a perception among players that they are facing off against computer programs employed by players and even the poker sites themselves. The bots are also becoming more sophisticated. Most players want the use of poker bots wiped out.
The solution will likely take a concerted, industry-wide effort to stamp out poker bots, and will also require poker players to continue to report suspicious behavior to the sites.
Credit card issuers and banks that refuse to process online gambling transections not only make playing difficult, they create the impression that online gambling isn’t safe or legal.
The answer may take time, but lobbying efforts, both from groups like the Poker Players Alliance, and from players who can contact their banks and potentially create enough noise that they reverse their policies.
Finally, many potential players simply don’t know if online gaming is legal in the U.S. due to conflicting laws in different states.
If online poker is to thrive, the industry has to do a better job of public education and marketing, the web site advised.
