with all the satellites on the internet poker sites, if it is illegal then how can people like Raymer and Moneymaker and other poeple advertise on a televised poker match that they won a online satellite tournament.

I know it is a toothless law that they arent inforcing but what happens if they did. Chris Moneymaker wins the world series poker and then you see the FBI comes in arrest him. would def be a interesting poker TV show.

but seriusly I think about enter an online satellite tournament but then I wonder about the consequences it could have if the governemnt ever decided to surprisinly start enforcing it.

Poker is getting so big and alot of local tournaments get busted by local agencies. I wonder how long it will be till the local enforcement ask for the help of the government to help enforcing the illegal games.

I wish the goverment would say it is legal for online play but will never will happen until they can figure out how to get there share from the taxes of the winnings.

they are advertising the .net side where there is no "real money"

A guy i was playing with in AC explained online poker's legality to me which ultimately made me start playing online.

Keeping in mind:

1. It's not illegal for you to play poker with your friends in your house/apt. It is only illegal to charge a rake or rent the seat. (I mean college student councils run poker tournaments now.)

2. It's illegal to place a bet with a bookie.

Online gambling on sports, blackjack, or any other types of gambling that would be illegal done outside of a casino in the U.S. is illegal. However, playing poker isn't. Simply the act of taking a rake is if the site were based in the U.S.