Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick has proposed two-year jail terms and a $25,000 fine for citizens caught gambling online. Congressman Barney Frank, who wants federal legislation to regulate online gambling, asks, "Why is gambling in a casino OK and gambling on the Internet is not?" There has never been an official statement on the legality of operating an online poker room within the United States if that program does not accept US citizens to deposit.

The lack of regulations and an open interpretation of the laws have led many companies to pull out of the US all together. The larger, publically traded European gaming companies were amongst the first to leave the US market. Other operations have stayed but face the barriers placed on them by the UIGEA. Banking options for US citizens looking to make a deposit online are greatly reduced and often involve a third party operation like eChecks or Ecocard.com

While online poker in the United States is still classified as ‘illegal’ playing card games in a church appears to be legal. As the separation of church and state grows greyer by the day, poker remains just as unclear in the eyes of citizens and lawmakers alike.

Playing organized poker games for charity, in churches, would be legal in South Carolina under a bill that was approved by a Senate panel Thursday, February 14^th. The new legislation would allow churches, nonprofit groups and other charities to host card and other casino games to raise money. The new bill would make a previously passed South Carolina bill void barring card games and dice. The bill discussed Thursday specifically says five-card draw, Texas Hold'em, and seven-card stud should be allowed for charities and churches.

"It's a money making opportunity for nonprofits," said state Sen. Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg.

The popular poker player magazine Cardplayer.com has recently opened their sweepstakes based community for players at SpadeClub.com and is giving away over $100k to boost the launch. The site is open to everyone, and US citizens are eligible to win prizes as well. Considering a buy in or deposit is not required to win, players from the States are welcome to participate legally.

During the recent two month testing of the site over 4000 poker fans and players took part in the site. During that time CardPlayer.com gave away $20k to new members and received feedback on what players wanted from the site and community. The official launch is now underway.

'In a nutshell, we plan to offer patrons travelling to or from The Venetian from Hong Kong the opportunity to play table games only and on credit only with no cash play on an L-1011 outfitted with table games and a surveillance booth and digital surveillance equipment while the aircraft is in international air space over international waters,' said Frederick Kraus, Vice-President and General Counsel for Las Vegas Sands.

As of now there are no laws that would prohibit gambling in the FAA flight zones. This new trend in gambler accommodation might be setting the way for regular passengers to wager in flight as well, much like the cruise ship industry has in place.

The popular poker player magazine Cardplayer.com has recently opened their sweepstakes based community for players at SpadeClub.com and is giving away over $100k to boost the launch. The site is open to everyone, and US citizens are eligible to win prizes as well. Considering a buy in or deposit is not required to win, players from the States are welcome to participate legally.

During the recent two month testing of the site over 4000 poker fans and players took part in the site. During that time CardPlayer.com gave away $20k to new members and received feedback on what players wanted from the site and community. The official launch is now underway.