Poker

Licensed poker sites must actively fight cheating. UK technical standards require measures to deter, prevent and detect collusion, such as stopping one player holding two seats, and Ontario's standards add that bots are not permitted and count as cheating. Cards are dealt by tested random number generators. Report suspected cheating to the site, and keep records.

Source: UK Gambling Commission: RTS 11 Limiting collusion and cheating; AGCO Registrar's Standards for Internet Gaming: peer-to-peer games (4.22-4.23)

Mainly through rake and tournament fees. Delaware's regulations define rake as the percentage of the pot collected by the site under the game's approved rules, and a tournament fee as the entry fee charged when you register. Because you play against other players, not the house, the site's income comes from these fees, which reduce what winning players keep.

Source: Delaware Administrative Code Title 10, 206 (Internet table games: definition of rake); Ohio Administrative Code 3772-11-01 (definition of rake)

Yes, if you are in a state that belongs to the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement and your site has joined the shared network. The members are Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware, West Virginia, Michigan and Pennsylvania, which became the sixth member with shared games from 28 April 2025. Not every operator in a member state takes part.

Source: Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board: Multi-state poker launch (23 Apr 2025)

No. Ontario's internet gaming standards require operators to deter, prevent and detect the use of software that plays for you, and to tell players that bots are treated as cheating. UK standards require similar controls against collusion, plus clear information on how to report suspected cheats. Accounts found cheating can be closed.

Source: AGCO Registrar's Standards for Internet Gaming: peer-to-peer games (4.22-4.23); UK Gambling Commission: RTS 11 Limiting collusion and cheating

In the US, yes. Poker winnings are taxable, and for tournaments the W-2G reporting threshold is applied to net winnings, after deducting your buy-in. You must report all winnings even without a form. In the UK and Canada, recreational poker wins are generally not taxed, though professional players can be treated differently.

Source: IRS: Topic no. 419, Gambling income and losses; IRS: Instructions for Forms W-2G and 5754 (01/2026)