Will online poker survive all of the increasing regulations and restrictions?

BillyR23 · Feb 6, 2026

Propane Goat said:
Do you think online poker will still be around in 10 years, or will the restrictions become so burdensome that player traffic collapses and it's no longer even worth trying to play online? What is your prediction for the future?

Yes- online poker will still be around in 10 years and IMO it will only grow... I'm in one of this countries that has been hit with heavy regulations since 2012(Romania) and online poker is doing well- the regulations made the industry legal and attracted more casual players which sustained traffic rather than collapse it... Plus, most of the gambling sites that initially left- came back and are licensed now- the process can be slow because we all know how the governments work, still from my experience most people prefer to pay/play more on regulated sites as it reduces fears of scams or unfair play* with this AI/ RTA/ bots... getting better and better- IMO you want to play on a platform that is licensed and is also investing a lot in finding out cheaters to provide safe and fair games...

EarnDAStack · Feb 6, 2026

Sherlock77 said:
and where I have wrote this?
Did I perhaps write: "Thanks to a VPN, a player living in a country with restrictions can fraudulently pretend to live in a country where online poker is legal"?
No, I have never written anything like that.

Regarding your opinions on respecting the laws of the country where one is located...
1) Did you know that more and more hotels and accommodation facilities are blocking gambling, poker, and even porno sites? This is happening even in countries where there are no restrictions on gambling, poker, or pornography.
You might reply that people can avoid going on vacation, and if they really want to spend a few nights away from home in an hotel, they can bring a chessboard, a deck of cards, and some porn magazines?

2) Many of these much-talked-about TV series can only be watched in their country of origin.
So, is it illegal to use a VPN to watch them if the series isn't broadcast in your country?
And is downloading movies and music, like people used to do with emule, a crime? Will half the planet end up in prison?

3) Do you know that in many countries around the world there is censorship on certain news about politics and war etc, as well as on pornography and gambling, even though there is no law regarding online gambling? If you're in those countries, wouldn't you want to know what's happening in the world, given that the news there is censored? Or do you prefer to respect the laws of that country? Do you know is some countries whatsapp call are blocked? SMS messages are monitored.

4) The situation is complex; it's easy to say "respect the laws of the country you're in" if you never leave your home,
but if you travel, and today people travel more than ever before, you realize that there's a big difference between talking about certain situations and experiencing them firsthand.

The internet was wonderful 25 years ago; you could play online poker in any country in the world, there were no restrictions, and governments didn't even know what poker was.
You could watch movies and TV series without the "this film is not available in this country" pop-up.

We were happy in a fantastic world, and we knew it.

Then go join a cypherpunk forum, this is a poker forum.

The US has set laws surrounding poker primarily for money laundering and tax collecting reasons. They got Capone on Tax evasion...

You know FullTilt stole money from it's players right?

Then PokerStars had to come in and buy it, pay out the players they stole money from and then there was increased regulation and scrutiny on the market as a whole. That's why some clients are now legally allowed to offer their products to states in the US. Because they took the time to do everything above board.

Or again you could just abide by the laws of the land you're looking to enter as a guest even if you don't like them... But that's the considerate thing to do.

P.S. The netflix movies you're allowed to watch in your country are the movies nextflix in your country has paid to license. Again you're looking to scrounge around laws regarding IP so you can watch the movie you want to see. Still theft, someone worked had to put that expensive project together but you feel you DESERVE it for the price of a VPN...

ms_attack · Feb 7, 2026

Yes, online poker will still exist in 10 years. I am convinced that poker operators will find ways to offer poker despite the regulations. I also think there will be ways to detect AI bots, or you might have to do certain things to prove you are a real person. It will definitely be exciting, and I am also sure that Cardschat will still be around in 10 years.

sibkaz · Feb 7, 2026

There will be poker! This sport has already grown and there are a lot of followers! ) The interest of the game lies in the difference between players... When America and Russia and Bangladesh and Germany and other countries are at the table, it brings us together and makes friends! )

Fallenglory · Feb 7, 2026

Yes, people have been gambling since they existed. People like the trill to play. There will always be a constant battle between legislation and freedom of will. Currently we are in a downswing of sorts, but it won't last just like in poker.

rsparente · Feb 8, 2026

It will, tides are changing.
Freedom is over the horizon.

Nesehorn156 · Feb 8, 2026

I’ve noticed that playing poker with friends feels very different compared to playing with strangers online or in casinos. With friends, it’s more relaxed and social, but sometimes it’s harder to take the game seriously. Against strangers, I feel more focused and competitive. Both have their pros and cons depending on the mood. I’m curious what others prefer. Do you enjoy friendly home games more, or do you like the challenge of playing unknown opponents?

choprav · Feb 8, 2026

Yeah I think there will always be online poker, for people that prefer playing online, multiple games at a time instead of 1 cash or tournament game.

KeyPatience · Feb 8, 2026

Propane Goat said:
There seems to be a constant parade of bad news with respect to increasing legal restrictions on online poker, with poker rooms pulling out of entire countries or countries banning online poker altogether.

Do you think online poker will still be around in 10 years, or will the restrictions become so burdensome that player traffic collapses and it's no longer even worth trying to play online? What is your prediction for the future?

Poker is already dark out here in India due to the nationwide government ban!
I hope they recognise it as more of a skill-based game in the near future!

Rumengh · Feb 11, 2026

To think that offline poker and poker will survive not only in 10 years but forever despite the regulations and restrictions in some countries. The reason is the game itself because it is as popular as football and will always have fans because the reasons are many and I don't need to list them. They banned poker in our country but I find a way to play

Jyco · Feb 11, 2026

I’m confident that online poker will still be around in 10 years. Even if regulations reduce the number of players in certain countries or regions, there will always be places where online poker remains legal and active. Player traffic might decrease in some areas, but a large portion of the poker community will continue playing where conditions don’t change. My prediction is actually that online poker will keep growing over time. More people will discover the game, and some of the current restrictions may eventually be reduced or never fully enforced. Often these regulations are discussed more than they are truly implemented, and only spread if they prove effective elsewhere. For these reasons, I believe online poker will survive these challenges and may even come out stronger in the long run.

romerim · Feb 11, 2026

Yes, online poker will likely still exist in 10 years, but more regulated, regionalized, and controlled, with technological adaptation and possible changes in the global player profile.

hilary antonik filho · Feb 11, 2026

Those who enjoy poker will always find a way; restrictions were created to be overcome and eliminated. Online poker isn't going away.

tihomir_kula · Feb 14, 2026

I hope online poker will survive, but I have more and more difficulties with money transactions ( have to send money from one bank to another and after that to PS). For most of the banks money transfer from and toward poker sites is forbidden. Nevertheless, with the efforts of players and poker sites online poker will survive.

Fosterbio · Feb 14, 2026

This is from the "poker has two years left to live" category. This meme appeared about 10 years ago, but poker is still thriving and, I hope, will continue to thrive. Even though many tightened rules make life uncomfortable for players.

hobojim1247 · Feb 14, 2026

Yes online poker will survive unless man become extinct. Rules may change but the game will adapt. If they outlaw it, then it will survive as an outlaw underground game. I think any changes will be in the area of regulation and taxation , give the MAN something.

Luvepoker · Feb 16, 2026

I fully believe that online poker will survive but in what form is really the question. I dont feel positive at all that it will be allowed and regulated in my area. What is sad is our is the one area everyone thinks will be the spot that will open up sooner than later and finally open the floodgates in the USA. The issue i see is last year they banned what was allowable in my area so only questionable site are allowed. Why keep the legal ones that actually give out tax forms if you win over $600.00 by law. and yes i am being very sarcastic. I have also talked to out representative and even more and I was told there is no way in hell it will ever be passed for online poker. I do look forward to the day I can just more 50 miles away to a legal state. or even Canada 140 miles away but by the time i retire will i still be playing? I actually don't know. I have been thinking of quieting the game a lot more recently and this maybe my last year or 2 of playing unless it does change. It is not like i can even go to my local casino 3 miles away to play a tournament anymore.

Now if i sound bitter and angry you are 100% correct. But after 15 years since black Friday i am burned out waiting for the day.

seiya1989 · Feb 16, 2026

As long as it's a profitable business, there will be online poker rooms. Although they will have a lot of work so that there is nothing strange in their rooms

Rldetheflop · Feb 19, 2026

I'm actually hoping that regulation will be relaxed in 10 years but that's optimistic I think. If things continue I doubt it will be available to me here in Florida but I'm sure it will be around for some.

RodrigoMartins · Feb 19, 2026

I believe online poker will still be around in 10 years, but the landscape will look different. Regulation may reduce access in some regions, yet it also legitimizes the industry, increases player protection, and attracts recreational players in regulated markets.

We’ll probably see a shift toward ring-fenced pools, stricter compliance, and more emphasis on responsible gaming. Traffic might fragment, but the game itself is too global and adaptable to disappear.

In short, online poker won’t die — it will evolve.

ammje · Feb 27, 2026

I think it will continue to exist, at some point governments will understand that poker is not a casino, or bingo, they will understand that there is strategy, study, mathematics behind everything, I think that in Brazil it is considered a mental sport, the restrictions are a shame because I would like to play at partypoker for example.

Marshmalo1994 · Feb 28, 2026

Propane Goat said:
There seems to be a constant parade of bad news with respect to increasing legal restrictions on online poker, with poker rooms pulling out of entire countries or countries banning online poker altogether.

Do you think online poker will still be around in 10 years, or will the restrictions become so burdensome that player traffic collapses and it's no longer even worth trying to play online? What is your prediction for the future?

I think that worst case scenario would be each country having their own poker rooms, but the player traffic would decrease a lot in this case.

Will online poker survive all of the increasing regulations and restrictions?

BillyR23

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EarnDAStack

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ms_attack

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sibkaz

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Fallenglory

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rsparente

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Nesehorn156

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choprav

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KeyPatience

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Rumengh

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Jyco

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romerim

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hilary antonik filho

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tihomir_kula

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Fosterbio

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