The origins of poker are not clear to us. The history books cannot pinpoint from where the game derives, but poker has been a great American pastime for centuries, from the steamboats traveling the Mississippi River in the early 1800’s, to the World Series of Poker that can now be seen on network television. Colorado poker fans might be wondering if there are any legal online poker rooms for Colorado residents available. We are here to tell you about the best sites in existence as of now, as well as to illuminate the laws surrounding online poker.
In 2006, Congress passed the UIGEA (the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.) This was the first major law to regulate online wagering. While the act takes no umbrage against players who sign up at legal poker sites for Colorado players, it does criminalize the act of operating a poker site within the US at large and the state of Colorado. This complicated legal language has stirred many rumors about the legality of online poker. The fact is the UIGEA only bans operators from running online poker sites in America. It does not extend overseas, where many online poker sites function legally. These sites are safe for Colorado residents to use, and millions of Americans are doing so every day. Operating out of places like Canada and the Republic of Panama, these sites have been leading names in poker for decades.
Read More: Is It Legal To Gamble Online In Colorado?
Even though all online poker sites that accept Colorado residents located offshore are legal, it does not mean that players get an equally good deal signing up at any one of them. There are important qualities to look for down the line in a poker site, most of all, safety. This can be a hard thing to judge, but the surest sign is longevity. Any poker sites that have been around the block a time or two has survived an ultra-competitive industry, and has proven that they can pay their members out reliably. All of the sites reviewed on this page have operated for well over a decade, and in that time, have perfected their respective art forms.
It’s strange to think that BetOnline has been around for over a decade, because we just can’t shake the image we have of them as the new guys on the corner. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing – when a poker site looks as good and runs as smoothly as BetOnline does, you don’t expect them to have been in business since the days of dial up modems.
What has helped boost this poker site’s stock lately is their official partnership with the World Series of Poker. As an official sponsor, not only is BetOnline soaking up superior press, but also they are sending one lucky member to compete at the big tables. By winning a series of tournaments, one lucky Colorado players could find themselves competing for the big prizes on ESPN during the insomniac hours.
Colorado has a number of casinos throughout the state that offer low-stakes poker. Central City and Black Hawk casinos are located less than an hour from Denver, and both serve as historic poker landmarks dating back to the gold rush. These land-based venues are great for passing the time with some friendly low-stakes action. If you are looking for big tournaments, high-stakes, and no-limit action, the online poker sites are the best place to do so. The land casinos offer a great social poker experience, but the big money is only there to win in the online poker rooms.
The age to take part in legal gambling in Colorado has been set at 21 years old. To get into any of the land-based poker rooms, it's likely that Colorado residents will need to be of drinking age. Many of the online poker sites will only require residents to be 18 years old to register, but it is recommended that residents follow the ages set by lawmakers. Playing poker while underage can come with brutal consequences, so be sure to always check the required age before signing up for a site, even if other sites require users to be a different, lesser age.
As you have read, there are many options for playing poker in Colorado. The state is lucky in that it is home to many land-based casinos. These establishments offer refreshing drinks and low-stakes poker in a social atmosphere. These are great places to get out of the cold, and pass the time with some friendly card games. The most exciting way to play is online. These legal poker sites offer no-limit games, as well as tournaments and satellites. This is where players make the big money, and where the pros play. Playing for real money from the comfort of your own home has never been easier, and these sites are the best in the business.