Online Poker Launches, Legally, in Nevada

You have to by physically within the state to play

It's a moment many American poker devotees have been waiting for: the return of online poker.

Las Vegas-based Ultimate Poker opened its (virtual) doors on Tuesday at 9 a.m. West Coast time to deal the first hand of legal, real money, online poker. The site, owned by Ultimate Gaming, will accept wagers only from players who are at least 21 and and physically located in Nevada. Though you need not be a resident of the state, you have to be inside its borders to play. According to the Associated Press, players must provide a Social Security number and Nevada address.

Online poker came to an abrupt halt on April 15, 2011—a day known in the industry as Black Friday—when the US. Department of Justice cracked down on the three biggest sites, shutting them down and freezing player accounts. Some players have continued to play illegally, risking that their money might be seized at any moment.