Is banning Poker still justifiable in 2026?

[Manjerica1]

I think poker should be allowed in all countries, as long as it’s properly regulated. Poker is a skill-based game, not pure gambling, and it rewards discipline, strategy, and long-term thinking.




When regulated, it creates jobs, generates tax revenue, and gives players legal protection. Prohibition doesn’t stop people from playing—it just pushes the game underground, where there’s no control and more risk.


Like any activity involving money, it should come with clear rules, age limits, and responsible gaming policies. Banning poker completely makes less sense than educating and regulating it. (imo)

what you guys think about it?

 

[Emily Trott]

Like with most things, government should keep it's nose out of it.

 

[hobojim1247]

on what grounds would you ban it?

 

[andron205]

Which countries do they want to ban it in? And I don't understand what's wrong with that?

 

[diegovasques90]

Before an enrollment, everyone should sit back and learn about the game. Many people don't know that poker is how it is. I think it's a game where you try your luck.

On the other hand, the side that knows, cannot understand how it can be prohibited, something that is strategic and not a lottery. It's the same case of cannabis being compared to drugs, among other issues.

 

[Roller]

In 2026, banning poker is hard to justify when it’s widely recognized as a skill-based game with regulated frameworks, especially compared to pure chance gambling that’s legal in many places; sensible regulation, consumer protection, and taxation make far more sense than outright prohibition.

 

[Manjerica1]

on what grounds would you ban it?

I get what you’re saying but the point isn’t that countries want to ban poker the problem is that many already do or treat it like pure gambling

In some places online poker is restricted in others real money games are illegal and in a few countries players can actually get fined just for playing Even where it’s “allowed” it often sits in a legal gray area

What I think is wrong with banning it is simple It doesn’t stop people from playing It just pushes the game underground with less safety no protection for players and more shady stuff happening

With regulation you get rules taxes jobs and protection for players Prohibition just removes control

So for me regulating and educating makes way more sense than banning something that clearly isn’t going away imo

 

[martinoni]

Bets are pure gambling and seems to be more scattered around the world than poker that surely is a skill based game

 

[Alex Houngan]

I think a big part of the problem with online poker is taxation and regulation. Many poker rooms are registered offshore, which raises concerns about tax reporting, money laundering, and fund transfers. That’s probably why in places like the US live poker is allowed, while online poker still faces restrictions. With proper regulation, transparency, and taxation, banning poker in 2026 feels outdated - controlled access makes far more sense than pushing it into the shadows.

 

[MK_]

... What's justice got to do with it?, it's about the money nothing more,

they don't ban poker, they ban online poker because they can't get their cut,

you can go to a real casino most places or sports betting places... because they get their cut👍

 

[fernandofcp]

If the laws of a particular country prohibit poker, there is nothing that can be done. We have to respect that. If poker is an illegal activity in a country, its prohibition ceases to be considered justifiable under the current legal interpretation.

 

[infonazar]

I think poker should be allowed in all countries, as long as it’s properly regulated. Poker is a skill-based game, not pure gambling, and it rewards discipline, strategy, and long-term thinking.

View attachment 400126


When regulated, it creates jobs, generates tax revenue, and gives players legal protection. Prohibition doesn’t stop people from playing—it just pushes the game underground, where there’s no control and more risk.


Like any activity involving money, it should come with clear rules, age limits, and responsible gaming policies. Banning poker completely makes less sense than educating and regulating it. (imo)

what you guys think about it?

I think that, unfortunately, the world will never be perfect, it will never be the way we would like it to be.
Therefore, we need to look at things realistically, deal with current important issues, and use the opportunities that are within our competence.