If gambling is illegal in most states, why are there professional poker players and lotteries?

DSDragon: If gambling is illegal in most states, why are there professional poker players and lotteries?
I live in Maryland, and one of my friends is a professional poker player. There is also a state lottery. But if gambling is illegal, how do the above facts fit without violating that law?

Answers and Views:

Answer by King D
Gambling isn’t illegal. Usually there is an age requirement like 18 or 21. There’s lawful gambling and there’s also illegal types of gambling

Answer by LegFuJohnson
Because gambling isn’t illegal in most states. Simple.

Certain types might be… but to say gambling is illegal is clearly false. Most states have lotteries and casinos.

Answer by Radu
Gambling is illegal if done “underground”, without paying taxes on the gabled money

Answer by Jonny Hardbaked
There are some states that gambling is legal. It will only consider as illegal if they violate some rules and boundaries of gambling.

Answer by Colin Smith
State lotteries aren’t considered illegal as its a way for the states to produce additional revenue to pay for certain services such as schools, roads, etc. Oregon, for example, has slot machines in almost every bar you walk into.
Professional poker players play in certain locations where gambling is deemed legal. Indian casinos are one location where individuals over the age of 18 may go and partake in games of chance, as the United States has absolutely zero say in what goes on on tribal land.
Only certain forms of gambling are illegal in certain territories, it vaires by state. Washington state has something on the books in which playing online poker is considered a felony and poker merchandise cannot even be sent into the state (like Bluff Magazine.)
Other states just won’t let you take a rake from your friends when they come over to play poker.
Learning each individual state or city law can be tough, people do go to jail for not knowing exactly what the law is in their particular territory.

Answer by John Smith
Just lost with my quads to a higher quad! This site has to be fixed!!!

Answer by Ivan
You can find a list of poker rooms which allow US players. UB/AP for example

Answer by Mark Jonson
Its not illegal, for example Online Gambling is legal in every state but WA.