It's fair to say that American online poker players have been through it all over recent years.
Federal Online Poker Legislation
Texas Representative Joe Barton plans to introduce a bill that would put a regulatory framework for online poker in place at the federal level, with states retaining the option to take part or sit. New Federal Online Poker Bill Being Considered A new federal proposal that would legalize online poker but would disallow Internet casino games may be introduced within a month or so, according to U.S. Dean Heller (R-NV).
First came the advent of online poker, the Internet boom and the 'Moneymaker Effect' that followed after, before Congress put it all asunder with the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) in 2006.
Federal Online Poker Legislation 2019
Federal Online Poker Legislation Online
In April 2011, the Department of Justice (DoJ) made raids on sites they felt were breaking the law (AKA Black Friday), before dramatically making a U-turn and declaring online poker DIDN'T contradict any current law in December of that same year.
So, in 2020 we have arrived at a stage where some states have legalized and regulated online poker, others have outlawed it entirely, and some continue sitting on a rather large fence waiting to see how the dust settles.