Several states in the United States have legalized real money online poker. Some have taken the legal route while others have used offshore sites. Currently, there are four states with legalized online poker: Delaware, Maryland, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. While each of these states have their own unique set of issues, each has some advantages and disadvantages when compared to the others.
There are a handful of other states that have not legalized real money online poker. Some have publicly announced that they will. Others have gotten the ball rolling by passing legislation authorizing the game. It is important to note that some states have a higher population than others, which affects their ability to attract online poker players. For example, Massachusetts has a population of under one million people, while Delaware has a population of just under one million. In other words, Massachusetts may not be a big market for online poker operators. However, if online poker takes off in other states, Massachusetts may be next.
Connecticut has a population of just over 3.5 million people, but its lack of legalized online poker does not mean that there isn’t an opportunity for operators to set up shop. In fact, online poker in Connecticut might be a stepping stone to competing in states that have legalized the game. While there is no definitive way to determine this, the next few months will be important. It is not impossible for companies like DraftKings to set up shop in Connecticut, but they are not likely to do so. However, there is a chance that one of the state’s major US regulated online gambling sites will be interested in setting up shop in Connecticut, and this could mean an opportunity for players.
Connecticut’s legislative delegation has shown interest in shared liquidity agreements, which would create combined player pools across the state. This would reduce the traffic issues faced by online poker sites, and it would make Connecticut a more attractive market for online poker operators. However, Connecticut has yet to sign a shared liquidity agreement, and it is unclear whether a deal will be signed before the state legislature adjourns for the year. Until then, Connecticut may be forced to wait another year to enter the market.
Although the Connecticut online gaming bill doesn’t mention shared liquidity in the same breath as its lauded achievements, it is a good idea to look for similarities between the two. The best example of the aforementioned is the Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware MSIGA, a multi-state agreement that allowed online poker players from all three states to play against each other. This agreement is a good model for future agreements, and it might be one of the first examples of shared liquidity.
Although online poker is still in its infancy in Connecticut, it could become a lucrative market in the future. However, it is important to remember that online poker has many limitations, and the legality of live poker is a bit more black and white than online. A good rule of thumb is that you should be able to make at least 30 buy-ins for a cash game, and you should have at least 50 buy-ins for a tournament. It is also a good idea to keep a solid budget in mind. You want to make sure that you can cover your losses in case you make a mistake.
