Zero rake sites would be legal??? According to FAQ on ncalg.org

[Stark]

According to QA below poker would be ok, so long as the house doesn't have a rake or take a cut of fees. So, couldn't a poker site just charge its members a monthly fee, like $20/month or something and you could play unlimited poker. They could charge via credit cards too, that would be awesome, no rake and US players allowed. And they could still profit by charging a monthly fee to use software. Damn, wonder if you could open this up in the U.S. too, not have to go offshore.

http://www.ncalg.org/Library/interne...%20booklet.pdf

Q. How will this legislation affect online poker games?

A. Poker proponents often argue that their game should be exempt from the prohibition because it is a game of skill, based on understanding mathematical odds. UIGEA defines
gambling as risking something of value on a “game subject to chance.” Though poker involves some skill, it is also subject to considerable chance. Therefore, real-money
poker is within the definition of a bet or wager under UIGEA.
However, free poker games are not “gambling” and not prohibited. A “free” poker site can legally cover its costs and even turn a profit through other revenue sources such
as merchandising, advertising, and education. Also, if the Wire Act does not apply, many states exempt “social gambling” from the definition of unlawful gambling. Social gambling requires that the “house” not receive any profits from the game, so some online poker games among friends might be permissible in some states, but not on the commercial websites that charge an entry fee or take a cut from the pot. The exact requirements for legality are highly state-specific.

[permafrost]

I have wondered for some time why this is not feasible. Even if it was just intrastate, the site could make money advertising and through donations to "buy a new deck" from appreciative players. Get several States working together and away you go.

[Michael C.]

[ QUOTE ]
I have wondered for some time why this is not feasible. Even if it was just intrastate, the site could make money advertising and through donations to "buy a new deck" from appreciative players. Get several States working together and away you go.

[/ QUOTE ] Or even simpler, we could just play poker on WSEX. ;-()

[Bill Haywood]

I don't think in this case "free" is the same as no rake.

From the portion quoted above: "real-money
poker is within the definition of a bet or wager under UIGEA."

So play money poker is legal, but an absolutely no-rake place that involves real money is still effected.

[permafrost]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I have wondered for some time why this is not feasible. Even if it was just intrastate, the site could make money advertising and through donations to "buy a new deck" from appreciative players. Get several States working together and away you go.

[/ QUOTE ] Or even simpler, we could just play poker on WSEX. ;-()

[/ QUOTE ]

You probably mean WPX and they are the closest that I know of to zero-rake, but do still rake. And there's the large problem of your money going through WSEX, no that won't fly.