Legal Online Poker For New Hampshire Residents
Even though New Hampshire isn't the friendliest state for the gambling industry as a whole, it's more or less a safe haven for poker players. While they do have some strict anti-gambling laws, there are many exceptions and loopholes in the system. We will show you some facts that the media didn't cover properly.
Is Poker Legal In New Hampshire?
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Since most states' rules and regulations are based on federal laws and implement them locally, based on each state's specificities, let us start by saying that the NH Criminal Code doesn't even mention placing bets over the Internet. Therefore, the only rules that apply are the ones issued by the Government. UIGEA is one of the few noteworthy ones, but it merely puts a ban on certain financial transactions – nowhere does it say that Americans aren't allowed to wager their money over the Internet. Long story short, New Hampshire residents may play poker online without breaking any national or local laws.
Legal Online Poker Sites For New Hampshire Residents
As outlined in the beginning, there are no online poker laws that cause online poker to be illegal, so virtually all online poker sites will accept players from New Hampshire. We have gone through a lengthy list of online venues and came with a few picks that have legal online poker for USA players.
SportsBetting is the premier online poker site for premier players all across New Hampshire and throughout the United States. Safe, legal and always reliable and prompt with their payouts and withdrawal process, SportsBetting is the jewel in online poker. With one of the most generous rebates in the industry, SportsBetting members can expect on each and every Wednesday to recoup on past rakes and tournament fees which makes this online poker room unique when compared to others. Users are automatically granted a 27% rake back from all of the accumulated fees and rakes of the entirety of the previous week which provides a hefty boost for more poker playing action and a chance at inflating the user’s account even further. SportsBetting is the most professional site for professional players with the least interaction with members’ hard earned cash and the most reward for being a winner.
New Hampshire residents are quickly noticing the fastest growing member base of online poker players in the world in BetOnline and they are wisely joining in. With over a decade of experience in providing superior online card playing, BetOnline offers serious cash to winning players in high or low stakes situations through a variety of different card styles. One can play 7 Card Stud or stick to the old stand-by of Texas Hold’ em while raking in the chips against beginner and expert players alike. Featuring daily free rolls and weekly tournaments guaranteed to throw around $250,000, it is no secret as to why the member base expands at an exponential rate. This online poker room makes sure to get the new players rolling off to a good start too with a generous 200% sign-up bonus on their first deposit. This is amazing news not only for beginners but also well-seasoned players who know how to turn free money into huge profits during card playing action.
Judging solely by the book, it's not exactly allowed to play poker even in a friendly environment like at home with your friends, as long as money or something of value is at stake.
The law says that anyone who risks something of value in exchange for a future benefit that's not under control is guilty of misdemeanor. However, most poker players would argue that poker is a game of skill and not of chance, therefore the luck factor carries very little influence in the outcome of a game. The law leaves room for lots of interpretations so, until further notice, you are advised to use caution and keep in mind that home poker games might be illegal.
Is it Legal to Play Land-Based Poker in New Hampshire?
Although it is not technically legal to play poker in the Granite State, the laws are fairly relaxed compared with other states. New Hampshire has been leading the way among other New England states for state sanctioned gambling through lotteries and casinos causing the Granite State to be a top destination for many avid Poker players throughout the region. Although gambling is illegal in the state, the law is clearly intended to stop large businesses and companies from profiteering off of gambling rather than attacking the average recreational gambler. Home games have of course been taking place for decades unmonitored and although they are technically illegal if a profit is being made, it is assumed most games are low stakes and recreational and for the most part ignored and not investigated. The state has earned large sums of money from its decisions to relax on operating state sanctioned casinos and has greatly helped the New Hampshire economy. In fact, the sanctioned casinos in New Hampshire are famous for the fact that the casinos in operation in the Granite State are charitable. One casino, Rockingham Park, reportedly gave 1.7 million dollars to local non-profit charities which greatly reduced societal concerns regarding legalized gambling. It should be noted, however, that No-Limit card games are still banned and cash bets are limited to $4 per bet and capped at four a round under current legislation in the State.
Where To Play Land-Based Poker in New Hampshire?
Although the laws may create a low stakes environment in the Granite State, it still beats the alternative of not having the option at all to go play a legal game of poker with others in a social setting. With all of New Hampshire’s casinos and cardrooms being charitable falling under the control of the state’s Racing and Charitable Gaming Commission, the card playing locations are still comparable to a standard casino as far as percentage of the rake. 20-25 percent is levied by establishments off of tournament prize pools while 10 percent comes off the top of cash games with a $5 cap. Of that amount taken by the establishment, 35 percent goes to the sponsored charity for that corresponding day. This is how games are conducted in New Hampshire and a player has many options across the region to join a game in this environment. Omaha and Texas Hold’Em tend to be the more popular games in New Hampshire as venues like Manchvegas often draw upwards of a hundred players in a given tournament, offering rebuys into the games. Other venues have found a way to sweeten the pot by joining forces such as the ‘Bad-Beat Jackpot’ between Rockingham Park and Seabrook Poker Room which can exceed $20,000. Needless to say, law abiding residents of New Hampshire can proceed to the nearest poker room and play a hand of their favorite game right away.
Note: As a final note, remember that the information presented herein shouldn't be regarded as legal advice. We only wanted to present you with some facts that you may not be very familiar with – if you need in-depth information or are still unsure about the legality of playing poker in New Hampshire please consult with a lawyer.
