Video poker legal in Illinois

Close to 50 thousand video poker machines will be installed throughout the state

The question of the legality of poker in the United States has been discussed over and over again, ever since Full Tilt Poker went down the drain more than a month ago. Online poker players from all over the world started to lobby for the legalization of the game. American players in particular started a huge campaign to prove that this is one of the games that many people benefit from (it’s actually the whole livelihood for thousands of players from all over the world) and it’s one from which the whole U.S. government can benefit.

Instead of wasting resources in order to fight the popular online poker sites. It wasn’t long after the Alderney Gambling Control Commission suspended Full Tilt Poker’s online poker license that a bill wanting to regulate online poker started to be rumored. And it seems like with each passing week, more and more steps are being taken, steps that will probably ultimately lead to the regulation of online poker.

The latest of these steps made headlines in Illinois. Here, the State Supreme Court of Illinois approved Governor Patt Quinn’s plan, which included several other areas of interest. Therefore, the court approved taxes on liquor (ranging from beer to wine or hard liquor, such as vodka or whiskey), but also – and this is where we are most interested – the legal approval of upwards of 45 thousand video poker machines to be installed in several establishments (fully controlled and regulated). These video poker games will be installed in bars and other such establishments that also have liquor licenses.

Although it’s all under strict supervision, it’s definitely a step in the right direction. With video poker now accepted in one U.S. state, it probably won’t take long for other states to follow suit, and, who knows, even allow online poker venues to be active. In the meantime, we are all looking forward to the hearing that will decide the fate of Full Tilt Poker. Set on the 27th of July, this will probably be this month’s largest focus point for all poker fans throughout the world. And with many of the players already gone, this might just be the last stand for this online poker giant. If everything goes well, though, we look forward to seeing the upcoming “comeback” offers.