Four Countries That Play Plenty Of Poker

Poker has become a recognized and popular game all over the world. Not only is it fun to play, but there are several popular variants depending on where you’re playing. If you’re good at the game, you stand the chance of firming up your bank balance with your skills. There’ll never be a shortage of physical venues or online casinos to test your abilities against others.

Which are the countries where poker is more popular than others, though? Certain parts of the globe have caught onto the fine art of the game with its popularity in those countries soaring to new heights. In case you’re thinking of going on a poker holiday or tour, we’re going to highlight some of these destinations now.

1. United States

Think back to those old American West movies you grew up watching. Every one of these would feature Stetson hats, horses, whiskey, gunfights, damsels in distress, and… poker!

The US has a poker-playing tradition, with visits to cities like Las Vegas and Atlantic City on the bucket lists of many Americans and foreigners alike. Online casino legislation is passing progressively in more US states, and the game’s popularity is still growing. More Americans than ever before are visiting sites, like these on Techopedia, for online poker sessions—and it’s currently one of the more readily-available forms of gambling as regulation for other online casino games is still lagging behind.

Based on its population and the number of land-based casinos alone, the United States is the country with more poker players than any other in the world. People travel from all over the world to experience a live poker game in the States, and online poker is searched for over 27,000 times a month in the US alone!

Cowboy Poker (Image: pexels.com)

2. Brazil

Brazil? The home of Pele, Neymar, and bronzed women on sandy Rio beaches? That Brazil?

Yes, believe it or not, Brazil has become one of the premier poker-playing countries in the world, especially for online gamblers. Brazilian authorities don’t regulate online gambling in the country. As a result, Brazilian gamblers have the freedom to choose from thousands of online poker rooms.

Brazil also plays host to several poker tournaments, and local players have performed well in some of the world’s biggest tournaments elsewhere, too. Even the above-mentioned Neymar, one of the world’s best soccer players, admits to playing recreational poker.

If Neymar can play the game, you can be sure there are thousands of young Brazilians following his lead and learning the art too!

3. Macau (China)

China did Macau a big favor by allowing gambling competition into the former Portuguese colony in 2002. Before then, Stanley Ho and his STDM company held the casino monopoly.

What this open market did was allow other operators to establish casinos in the country. This, in turn, encouraged more poker centers and increased competition. Top Asian players started paying more attention to Macau, promoting poker to the locals and helping greatly in growing Macau’s poker culture, earning it the nickname of “the Vegas of China.” This drew further international attention and added a spark to the country’s allure as a poker powerhouse, despite the first tournament only taking place there in 2007.

Poker Culture (Image: pexels.com)

4. Canada

Unlike in certain other countries, poker is legal in both physical and online poker rooms around Canada. As a result, the country is no longer synonymous with only hockey and maple syrup, but with poker as well.

Poker’s legal standing in Canada brings along a playing culture that’s sprouted some world-class players. These players’ success is motivating other Canadians to play the game and follow their paths.

With over 200 land-based casinos in operation and iGaming laws that are becoming more relaxed all the time, it’s no surprise that Canada is a growing market in terms of poker. Although considerably behind the US, online poker is still searched for over 3500 times a month in Canada. It’s also home to some world-class tournaments where some of the top players have made their fortunes.

We haven’t even touched on any European countries in this article. Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France, among others, all have a growing poker culture and fanbase. Technologies and capabilities of online casinos continue to flourish. These will only encourage new gamblers to join the ranks of a truly international poker-playing fraternity.

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