So I have been a consistent winner at this site for a good year or so now and based on the trends of my ROI over months and months, I do not see that changing. I have received multiple answers about the legality of online poker in the U.S. and just am not sure if it is worth it to continue playing or not based on the mixed bag of answers.

I can make enough money to help pay off student loans, but with the questionable status about the funds being legitimate, is it worth it?

Aren't they a fast paying site? So what is the problem?

So, I live in the state of Ohio: This is what I have gathered
Listed below are noteworthy aspects of Ohio gambling law:

The confusion surrounding Ohio’s betting and gambling statues begins with the definition, or rather the lack thereof, of gambling.

However, a definition of gambling can be indirectly inferred from the definitions of Bet, Games of chance, Games of chance conducted for profit, and Gambling device.

Games of chance in Ohio are defined as poker, craps, roulette, or other game in which a player gives anything of value, including real money, in the hope of gain, the outcomes of which is determined largely by chance, but does not include bingo.

Anyone that violates the long list of provisions outlined Sections 2915.02, which includes bookmaking, gambling promotion, facilitating gambling or betting activity and to engage in betting or in playing any scheme or game of chance as a substantial source of income or livelihood is subject to a first-degree misdemeanour in Ohio, and those with a prior conviction history can be charged with a fifth-degree felony. Note that the last provision could easily apply to a professional real cash gambling poker player.

According to Section 2915.03, no person, being the owner or lessee, or having custody, control, or supervision of premises, shall use or occupy such premises for gambling or betting in violation of Section 2915.02 of the Revised Code. The penalties for running such an operation in OH are the same as those for violating Section 2915.02 directly.

Those caught gambling at a public house (hotel, tavern, store etc.) can be charged with a minor misdemeanor. Repeat offenders are guilty of a fourth-degree misdemeanor.

Moved your posts to a new thread over here in Poker Legislation, where I think you're most likely to receive good advice. Hope you don't mind the title change.

Also removed my previous answer, which wasn't a lot of help once you elaborated with your last post. Sorry for any confusion with my constant edits of my post and bouncing your thread around.

No worries, I appreciate the move. Don't really know what I am doing on this forum. Just wanted some feedback if anybody has any.

AFAIK, no player anywhere in the U.S., pro or otherwise, has ever been charged or prosecuted for playing online poker, including in states where it is expressly illegal (like WA). In fact, the U.S. federal government has taken the position that U.S. players who played on "illegal" offshore sites were entitled to remission of their account balances lost on FTP and other such sites.

Those are facts, regardless of the legal technicalities of local and state laws.

There is no guarantee that this will continue to be true, especially as more states authorize regulated in-state online poker.

Thank You, for your response. I guess my next question is, was everyone that was a pro and played on pokerstars, full tilt, or ultimate bet before bf and lived in Ohio technically breaking the law?

What I posted makes it seem like it is illegal to be a professional poker player whether it is online or not, which just seems like something that obviously is not enforced as you can look up on hendon people living in Ohio that make a substantial amount of income on the game.