The US Department of Justice issued an official statement in December, 2011, in which they revised their stance on the issue of online gaming, inasmuch as the Interstate Wire Act of 1961 would no longer be considered in effect regarding online poker. Previously, the IWA was considered ruling all forms of online gambling illegal in the United States; supported by several lottery companies, the revision of the Act resulted in the new position of the Department, according to which the Act would only apply to sports betting. The way was thus opened for an interstate online poker market in the US, including states where online poker was to be legalised.
The first state to regulate its market was Nevada and operators started applying for licences. In August, 2012, South Point Poker received its licence from the Nevada Gaming Commission, which was supposed to enable it to become the first legal online poker operator in the United States. Opening was scheduled for October but it was delayed due to additional independent enquiries to make the room meet Nevada Gaming Control Board requirements as well.
“We feel we could launch today, but you’ve got to go through the independent testing labs, you have to satisfy the state Gaming Control Board and because we are the first, we’re going to be under the microscope. They’re going to prod us every which way, and that’s good. We don’t want to come out and fall flat on our face and be an embarrassment for Nevada,” South Point Poker Director Lawrence Vaughan said at the time.
It has turned out since that, instead of South Point Poker, it would be UltimatePoker the first to launch its operations on the Nevada market. The software made available prior to the launch, at 10:00 ET on 30 April, 2013, it was shuffled up and dealt in the room.
All players, including anyone outside the US, are eligible to register to UltimatePoker, but it is only Nevada players who are allowed to play in real money. As yet, only No Limit, Fixed Limit and Pot Limit games are offered from the $0.01/$0.02 to the $10/$20 stakes. Further game types are planned to be added soon.
UltimatePoker is owned by Fertitta Interactive and has no connections whatsoever with the late UltimateBet. Fertitta Interactive has interests in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), hence the naming of the room. The company aims to popularise UFC among poker players as well as to have UFC fans lured to the poker tables.
“This day has been a long time coming. Online poker in the United States is finally here and totally legit,” UltimatePoker brand ambassador Antonio Esfandiari commented.
Fertitta Interactive applied for a Nevada licence in February, 2012. The Nevada Gaming Commission gave the green light in October and the licensing process was concluded last week.
The first state to regulate its market was Nevada and operators started applying for licences. In August, 2012, South Point Poker received its licence from the Nevada Gaming Commission, which was supposed to enable it to become the first legal online poker operator in the United States. Opening was scheduled for October but it was delayed due to additional independent enquiries to make the room meet Nevada Gaming Control Board requirements as well.
“We feel we could launch today, but you’ve got to go through the independent testing labs, you have to satisfy the state Gaming Control Board and because we are the first, we’re going to be under the microscope. They’re going to prod us every which way, and that’s good. We don’t want to come out and fall flat on our face and be an embarrassment for Nevada,” South Point Poker Director Lawrence Vaughan said at the time.
It has turned out since that, instead of South Point Poker, it would be UltimatePoker the first to launch its operations on the Nevada market. The software made available prior to the launch, at 10:00 ET on 30 April, 2013, it was shuffled up and dealt in the room.
All players, including anyone outside the US, are eligible to register to UltimatePoker, but it is only Nevada players who are allowed to play in real money. As yet, only No Limit, Fixed Limit and Pot Limit games are offered from the $0.01/$0.02 to the $10/$20 stakes. Further game types are planned to be added soon.
UltimatePoker is owned by Fertitta Interactive and has no connections whatsoever with the late UltimateBet. Fertitta Interactive has interests in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), hence the naming of the room. The company aims to popularise UFC among poker players as well as to have UFC fans lured to the poker tables.
“This day has been a long time coming. Online poker in the United States is finally here and totally legit,” UltimatePoker brand ambassador Antonio Esfandiari commented.
Fertitta Interactive applied for a Nevada licence in February, 2012. The Nevada Gaming Commission gave the green light in October and the licensing process was concluded last week.
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