You can in America — but only in a handful of states. And even if you’re not in one of those states, you do have options for playing real money poker online legally in 2023. The key is to understand the differences between the various ways you can play. Here they are from most to least secure.
States With Legal, Licensed Poker Sites
If you live in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Delaware, Nevada or Connecticut – you can play at licensed online poker sites. These are fully regulated industries overseen by state regulators. All games use random number generators that have been certified to ensure fairness. Players receive actually payouts when they win and operators are required to block players in other states and abroad as a matter of law. This creates a safe, stable environment suitable for serious players who value security above all else. It also helps that these are the best online poker sites in the US. If this option is available to you, there’s no good reason not to utilize it — unless of course you just choose not to play poker for whatever reason.
Compare the top.
Shared Liquidity Limit real money poker online legal states
Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware signed a compact beginning in 2014 which allowed them to share player pools. That meant sites like WSOP.com could combine their player bases in those three states. That moved the liquidity requirement from millions of players to around 500,000-1 million, which many more state’s meet. Poker is still not a huge industry in any single one of those states but the small size makes it feasible for regulators and the costs are manageable.
That paved the way for Pennsylvania to join the multi-state agreement under Governor Tom Wolf. That happened under former Governor Chris Christie but it took Gov. Wolf to make it happen on his end. With similar legislation, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont got his state in on the fun in 2021 as well.
This allows WSOP.com to combine its player bases in Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware and now Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Michigan. If New York were to legalize and join the compact, that would add another boost to the industry. It would also make sense for New Hampshire to jump in while it shares a border with both Massachusetts and Connecticutt.
It remains to be seen how many additional states will get on board. Some may prefer to go it alone or wait for larger markets like California to legalize. Smaller states often opt not to join the multi-state gaming agreement for online casinos, so there’s no guarantee more states will join. Still, there is upside for states that do decide to link up with the others.
Which States Share Poker Liquidity?
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- Delaware
- Connecticut
- Pennsylvania
- Michigan
Notably Mississippi and West Virginia were part of the Multi-State Gaming Agreement for other forms of iGaming. Those two states are outlier in that they did not honor the licenses of geolocation service providers, which disqualified them from participating in poker. There is no indication either state will try to join again.
Free Slots to Play Online - Top Free Slot MachinesCan I Play Against Players in Other States?
Yes, if you live in Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware, Michigan, Connecticut or Pennsylvania.
Play Real Money Poker From Any State (Sort Of)
Global Poker runs promotions and pays out prizes using sweeps, which are essentially redeemable for merchandise. That makes it free to play legally in most states, but it is not one centralized market. Instead Global Poker operates much more like a social casino where everyone is playing against a house account.
In other words, your opposition is not coming from other players, although that differentiator can be hard to discern at some of the shorthanded tables. The games are beatable and many players take advantage of the lower standard to win real money.
We have had first hand experience winning prizes which we exchanged for cash and merchandise without incident. Moreover, the site has a license from the Malta Gaming Authority which requires it to uphold high standards of fairness and player protection. Global Poker is definitely worth trying to see what you think. We do consider it a real money online poker site, but your mileage may vary.
Best Slot Machine Tips - How to Win at SlotsOffshore Poker Sites
US players have long turned to offshore cardrooms to satisfy their thirst for real money poker online. Sites such as Bovada, BetOnline and others offer poker along with a sportsbook and casino. These sites operate legally in terms but are not regulated by any governmental body. Instead they regulate themselves, issue their own bans and block players in certain states at will. They do provide legitimate withdrawals for US players, but that does not equate to safety or security. In fact, US players play at their own risk because there are no consumer protections in place and no recourse if things go wrong.
Advantages of Offshore Card Rooms
- No restrictions on states
- Anonymity
- Bonuses and perks
Disadvantages of Offshore Card Rooms
- Unsafe playing field
- Not regulated
- Games might not be legit
Offshore poker sites have some advantages, namely the fact that players from every state can access their games. Additionally, those wanting to keep their poker hobby anonymous will appreciate that offshore card rooms do not require face verification. Furthermore, these sites do offer sign up bonuses and loyalty rewards, unlike in legal states.
However, we cannot stress enough that safety should always come first when real money is involved. Therefore, if you want a secure playing experience at all times, we recommend playing in licensed states only or at Global Poker.
Read more about your options:
Playing Free No Download Poker Games
If you just want to play poker for fun, you can find numerous free no download poker games online. Several of the major brands offer free play money versions of their games. This allows players to transition to the real money game easier. It also provides an avenue for casual players to enjoy the game without any financial risk. Zynga Poker was perhaps the most popular free version of poker until it closed down in 2023.
Additionally, many local card rooms and casinos have tied their names into free online poker sites. These sites allow users to earn rewards and comps at the brick and mortar establishments. However, you won’t be able to earn any comps unless you live relatively close to the casino.
As you might expect, there is no prize pool in free poker games. Everybody who buys in to the tournament receives something of value, be it merchandise or a simple return of their entry fee.
Where Can I Play Free Online Poker?
Virtually every online poker site offers free play money poker. Some third party sites tie multiple operators together including Global Poker.
State Laws May Make Poker Illegal
Playing poker online for real money could technically be illegal in certain states, depending on the laws in place. Most state wire act laws were written before the internet existed and poker rooms within state lines are exempt from the Federal Wire Act. As a result, some states view online poker as a violation of their existing laws.
For example, Kentucky recently fined several poker winners for breaking the state’s gambling laws. Washington state has banned all online gambling and routinely blocks sites and seizes funds from poker players. And while no one has been prosecuted for playing online poker in those states, that could change in the future. Kansas recently jailed a bingo director for offering online games.
The only way to know your state’s stance is to research your local gambling laws or reach out to your state’s gambling commission. At this time however, ID, WA, NT and UT are the only states with flat bans on online gambling.
Federal Bans on Real Money Poker Online
There is a good chance you have heard of the United States Wire Act, which many believe makes poker illegal. The truth is the Wire Act only applies to operators and forbids them form using telecommunications companies to offer bets across state lines. It does not make poker illegal for players. Indeed, the Federal Wire Act will probably never touch your poker game as long as you’re of age and the cards don’t cross state lines.
Another potential roadblock for US online poker is the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). Saddled onto a must-pass bill in the final hours of a Congressional session, no one read this bill before it passed. It simply says it is “unlawful for anyone to knowingly accept … a bet or wager” if the collector knows that wager is related to the internet and involves sporting events or a game of chance.” In other words, someone trying to make it illegal for online poker sites to pay players. But it doesn’t say it is illegal for you to play poker online. Many unscrupulous attorneys have tried to stretch the verbiage to say it does, but common sense dictates that is not the case.
Those are the only two federal laws which make mention of online poker or betting. The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) did not apply to poker and the rest of the UIGEA applies to collectors, not players. So if an online poker room does not try to pay you, UIGEA is not an issue.
Is Playing Poker Online Illegal Gary Jones?
A FBI sting called Operation Breach of Trust resulted in the indictment of Gary Jones, the former head of the LEAGUA (Law Enforcement Agents Across Gaming Jurisdictions). He faces charges related to accepting bribes in exchange for using his position to influence the passage of iGaming legislation in Michigan and other states. Part of his alleged scheme included attempting to write language to make online poker illegal Gary Jones.
Best Real Money Slots Apps To Use On Android in 2023Politicians introduced such language in 2017 but it went nowhere and similarly worded bills have not fared any better in recent years. And despite the indictment of Gary Jones, there is no evidence that playing online poker is illegal in any of the states where it is being considered. In fact, Jones was indicted for taking bribes – not for any actions related to online poker.
Play Online Poker for Real Money Safely
If you want to play real money poker on the internet in a safe, secure and legal environment, then you need to check out our secured pages listed above. Each of those pages links to only one operator in that state – the best poker site in that market.
Clicking through to one of those pages places a cookie in your browser that will reflect in the state lottery system. If you deposit and spend at least $20, you will be entered to win a tournament package worth $10,000. Package includes buyins and airfare and hotel accommodations for the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. Winning the package is by no means a sure thing but if you don’t buy a ticket, you can’t win the prize.
If you are in one of the states above that share player pools, you’ll have the choice to register at WSOP poker sites or the Michigan Poker Site. We strongly recommend WSOP, simply because it is a trusted name with sites running in Nevada, New Jersey and internationally for over a decade. You can also transfer bankrolls between legal online poker sites via WSOP’s Confidedantal Transfers.
Note that you will have to provide some identification prior to your first withdrawal but that is for your own protection. Secure Socket Layer technology keeps all your info safe from hackers and databases have never had a security breach. Add in 256-bit AES data encryption and pumped SSL sessions to 2,048 bits and you’ve really got no worries.
One advantage to playing real money poker online over the internet is that you can fold out on tough opponents. See our guide to the world’s toughest poker sites for more information.
mobile casino 5 freeSee which operators made the list:
You do not have to…
- …play on free poker online no download sites to avoid payment or withdrawal fees. There aren’t any on the major sites anyway.
- …risk playing at unlicensed card rooms that don’t adhere to international regulation standards.
- …stress over the safety and security of your personal or financial information.
- …feel bad for not living in a full-scale, well-regulated online poker industry. There are several to choose from.
- …stick with sites you don’t like all that much if better options are out there.
You must always…
- …be old enough to play according to the legal age in your jurisdiction.
- …pay your taxes on any winnings.
- …make sure you are physically located inside a state that authorizes online poker.
You may
- …have to deal with slow or unreliable internet, depending on your provider.
- …experience a temporary glitch in the matrix (brief freeze-up or disconnect).
- …contend with less than optimal table mates, though far less than in a brick-and-mortar room.
- …sometimes have to put up with unpleasant chat box messages, which can usually be muted or disabled.
- …encounter technical difficulties with your computer or mobile device.
- …spend a little time learning the rules and basic strategy for Texas Holdem.
- …get dealt less than average hands during a particular session. This is poker, after all.
- …wait for more state to regulate online poker – if you live in a state without it, that is.
You should never
- …use public WiFi or open networks to put your personal info at risk.
- …drink and play (or medicate and play or inject stimulants and play or …you get the idea).
- …play on a computer or phone you trust less than your own. Exceptions are made if necessary for emergency situations.
- …bet more than you can afford to lose.
- …believe rumors about the government banning online poker without seeing the regulation in writing first.
- …use poker to escape from reality or problems (see first bullet under “You must always” for advice on this).
- …think that playing online makes you invulnerable to getting barrelled or to making mistakes.
- …forget that online poker is supposed to be fun.
Check the local laws and regulations before joining a gambling site.
- Go to the