The poker lobby: Vice disguised as skill or discriminated mind sport?

In many countries, online poker remains in a legal gray area, often treated as pure gambling rather than a game of skill. This leads to high taxes, restrictions, or outright bans that affect both players and operators. I've had bad experiences with online poker at home, as my country is under sanctions, and this has negatively impacted the entire online poker ecosystem.

Gambling. Mafia. Corporations. Greed. A lot can go wrong!

Can’t really blame the countries that are trying to protect their citizens…

dariana Orasma said:

In many countries, online poker remains in a legal gray area, often treated as pure gambling rather than a game of skill. This leads to high taxes, restrictions, or outright bans that affect both players and operators. I've had bad experiences with online poker at home, as my country is under sanctions, and this has negatively impacted the entire online poker ecosystem.

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I agree with this point. In many places online poker is still treated purely as gambling, even though skill clearly plays a big role in long-term results. Because of that, governments often apply heavy restrictions or taxes, which can make things difficult for both players and poker platforms.

When regulations are unclear or too strict, it can hurt the whole online poker ecosystem. Players lose access to games, and operators struggle to provide stable services. I think better and clearer regulations would help create a safer and more balanced environment for everyone involved. ♠️

Poker sits somewhere in between.

There is definitely luck and gambling involved in the short term, which is why some people see it as a vice.
But in the long run, skill, strategy, discipline, and psychology play a huge role.
That’s why the same players consistently win over time.

So it’s best viewed as a mind sport with elements of gambling.

dariana Orasma said:

In many countries, online poker remains in a legal gray area, often treated as pure gambling rather than a game of skill. This leads to high taxes, restrictions, or outright bans that affect both players and operators. I've had bad experiences with online poker at home, as my country is under sanctions, and this has negatively impacted the entire online poker ecosystem.

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You have a point, yes. But the other side (in this case, your and other governments) have, as I think, just as good of a point.
Let's be honest - of 1.000 people (players) that play poker, be it on or offline, maybe 10 have perspective to become good. Anothe 90 will go plus minus zero. But the most of the mass will keep paying in and loosing money, hoping to finally hit a triple 6 on the river, just like in simple slots. Only difference is, they think they are in control of their luck, which actually in standard slots people with advanced addiction also think in a weird way (believe me, I've been there). A professional player or someone who really enjoys the game with heart will always find a way to play somehow somewhere, and as far as I know there are no countries, not even north korea or othe hard monarchied, where you can not play somewhere in an attic.

Hi all , well in my opinion ...........
Govts don't care either way about mind game or gambling , most just want it to be gambling so they can get more tax , some want to
restrict their citizens so that they have less freedoms, using excuses like religion ....
and some govt , I feel , have an idea that "if we can't tax it directly, then don't let people play, we will all suffer together" , very short sighted really,
because if $ is coming into your country from poker for example, where do they think players will spend that $$ ... ? just short sighted.
I haven't and won't do the research, but which countries that ban poker have happy and free people ? The more suppressed people are,
the more unhappy they tend to be.
.
on a more serious note , chess and poker are similar in some ways, and I guess a person could go all-in every single hand, but can we really
call that gambling ? in essence it will be, but in reality it's a total losing concept as we all know, and no successful player has made millions doing that.
poker requires skill, focus, planning and plenty other words , so similar to chess if you think about it.