The answer for that, of course, depends on where you live.In most jurisdictions around the world, and especially across most of Europe, real-money poker online is regulated, licensed and consumer-protected by multiple organizations including state governments and regional licensing authorities. If you’re playing poker for real money at any of the long-established poker sites like 888poker, partypoker, PokerStars, Tiger Gaming, etc you have nothing to be concerned about.
Real-money poker sites in the United States, however, are in a transition period. Prior to 2011 US players (meaning geographically located inside the United States) could play on many of the top international poker sites including PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker.