International Tournament Poker Now Legal in Thailand Following Acting PM's Signature on Order
In early August 2025, professional iGaming content writer Lucas Dunn reported on significant changes in poker regulations worldwide. With over 8 years of experience in game and casino reviews, industry news, blogs, and guides, Dunn's work aims to educate readers on effective gambling strategies and help players make informed choices.
Key new poker regulations and legal changes include:
Germany: Online poker is now legal under the Interstate Treaty on Gambling (GlüNeuRStV), but it is tightly regulated. Key rules include a monthly deposit cap of €1,000, a maximum table size of four players, identity and address verification for all players, no mixing of poker with casino games, mandatory "panic buttons" for self-exclusion, no multi-lobbying, bank account-only processing for deposits/withdrawals, and a required office presence in the EU/EAA. Operators must clearly disclose fees and payouts, and hourly gaming pop-ups are mandatory for players. These regulations aim to protect casual players and increase state oversight but have made online poker more challenging for professionals. Offshore sites remain accessible but unregulated locally in Germany.
United States: As of mid-2025, eight states fully regulate online poker: Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Connecticut, Michigan, and Rhode Island. Several other states are considering legalization or have pending bills. There is ongoing development of interstate online poker player pools to boost liquidity and operator viability. Legal frameworks vary by state, and federal oversight is limited, causing a complex patchwork of regulations.
Asia: China maintains a strict ban on all gambling on the mainland, with Macau as an exception under tight regulations targeting money laundering and proxy betting bans. South Korea permits limited gambling forms like horse racing but bans nearly all others, including online gambling, which continues illegally offshore. Public and governmental attitudes remain opposed to expansion of legal gambling.
European Union: EU member states regulate gambling nationally but follow EU-level laws focusing on consumer protection, transparency, anti-money laundering, and responsible gambling. National licensing authorities monitor operators to ensure compliance. Gambling laws and allowances differ country to country within the EU, but generally, poker is legal and regulated with oversight harmonized around key directives (e.g., 4th Anti-Money Laundering Directive).
In summary, the trend reported by Lucas Dunn shows increased regulation focused on consumer protection, state control, and responsible gaming in major jurisdictions worldwide. Germany's new strict framework stands out as a key example in Europe, while the US continues fragmented state-level legalization, and Asia remains largely restrictive except for special zones like Macau.
Lucas Dunn, an advocate for responsible play, continues to provide insightful analysis on the iGaming industry, helping players navigate the ever-changing landscape of online gambling.
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