So to answer the question of can you make money playing poker, the answer is yes. However, you need to use a strong fundamentally sound poker strategy. This involves first picking the best games to play in. For a beginner I suggest low stakes full ring cash games online.
Yes, online poker is legal in the United States, albeit only in certain states. As of early 2024, only six states have legalized online poker  Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan.