Update on us online poker in 2023 - state by state

The US online poker market has developed over time. This evolution led to a legal status that differs from state to state. And it’s important to know what’s allowed where, if you want to play poker online without any issues.

This guide provides an overview of US poker laws in 2023, with information about each state that offers legal poker games through the internet. You can use the quick navigation above or jump straight to the list of US poker sites by state further below.

Please note that, even though we mention companies by name, this does not necessarily mean that they have a legal right to operate in every location. It simply means that these are the main brands everybody connects to when it comes to playing poker online. What’s available in different states varies per company and per time. We always advise our readers to prioritize legal and licensed operators, but this doesn’t exclude the possibility of facing some .

Also worth knowing is that no US resident has ever been arrested for playing online poker, regardless of the laws in their state or the licensing of the operator involved. The focus of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other relevant authorities has always been on the management and operators of the site. Responsible adults picking a legal poker site should be fine, as long as nothing changes unexpectedly. With that said, here’s everything you need to know about the current situation of .

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States with Legal Online Poker in the USA for 2023

Nevada was actually the first state to launch online poker back in 2011. However, Washington refused network WSOP.com access in 2015, leaving Delaware as the first state to go multi-state for its playerpools. New Jersey changed everything by becoming the third state to regulate online gaming and inviting WSOP.com across boarders in 2018. Pennsylvania soon followed suit after joining the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement in 2020, along with Delaware and Nevada. Michigan joined the party in late-2021, before WSOP.com went live in the state one year later. Finally, WSOP.com launched in the Canadian province of Ontario during the summer of 2022.

1. New Jersey

New Jersey became the third state to regulate online gaming back in 2013, with only Nevada and Delaware having done so at the time. This gave companies like PartyGaming and Amaya (later known as The Stars Group) the chance to enter the Garden State and offer their popular poker brands under Borgata and Caesars Entertainment licenses, respectively. PokerStars entered the New Jersey market in 2016 and went on to sign an agreement to share players with WSOP.com networks in other states.

You can currently play online poker via eight different websites in New Jersey:

All of these sites have download and instant play options, while also being fully functional for mobile users. Additionally, all these brands are linked together through WSOP.com, which means that most run on the shared poker network during the evenings and weekends.

The busiest site during the daytime is usually part of the shared network too, with 888poker being the exception. Even so, 888poker tends to have enough traffic due to its connection with the Ocean Casino affiliate. Also worth pointing out is that BetMGM closed its doors to outside network players in November 2022.

Speaking of outside network players, anyone living outside of New Jersey cannot play on any of these websites. So, you will need to enable location tracking software and verify your address inside the state in order to download or open any of these poker clients.

2. Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania became the fourth state to join the US online gaming industry back in 2019. But it wasn’t until 2023 that the first two operators managed to get their ducks in a row and launch a shared network. Here are the two websites currently offering online poker in PA:

These websites had already been offering online casino games and/or online crypto poker inside Pennsylvania for several years. PokerStars became licensed in 2022 and went live with a site of its own in February 2023. In collaboration with the Fair Play Casino, PokerStars PA managed to get its application program interfaces (APIs) completed in time to connect to WSOP.com before the start of the 2023 WSOP festival in Vegas.

As a result, PokerStars traffic is now being shared with BetMGM and Borgata – although only for players located in Pennsylvania. PokerStars is still working on connections to its own large playerbases in other states, such as Michigan.

Anyone wanting to play at these sites must be located within the state of Pennsylvania. You can download apps directly from the App Store and Google Play if you want to streamline the verification process. Alternatively, you can visit the websites of each poker room to open a new account and begin playing cash games or tournaments.

3. Michigan

Michigan legalized online gaming and sports betting in 2019 and welcomed PokerStars in 2021. This made the Wolverine State the fifth state to regulate online poker. Unlike previous examples, however, Michigan hasn’t yet set up networks for sharing players between brands. This means that traffic can be scarce at certain times:

Even so, PokerStars Michgan is the largest online poker site in the state. And it’s possible that more brands will enter the market and partner with local casinos, thus leading to a potential expansion of the network(s).

In the meantime, Michigan players will have to wait for peak hours if they want to find tables in the lower stakes. Or perhaps try their chances at higher stakes, where isolated areas without players often lead to huge games. Another option would be for players to switch to , which tends to have bigger fields no matter the time of day.

Like all other online poker sites in the US, PokerStars Michigain only allows registered players to log in from within the state of Michigan. If you try to use the instant play or mobile app without verifying your address, then you’ll only be able to browse games and play free money table games.

4. Nevada

Nevada was the very first state to regulate online poker back in 2011, ahead of New Jersey, Delaware, and even Europe for PokerStars. The problem is that Nevada is such a small state that it couldn’t support active poker websites without the help of other regions. Thus, WSOP.com connected with 888poker NV and shared players for a number of years. Unfortunately, 888poker exited the market in September 2022.

When 888poker left, WSOP.com Nevada was left with nearly half of the usual traffic. When WSOP.com Pennsylvania and Michigan started using the same poker network software in 2023, another chunk of players were taken away. Today, you’re looking at a few dozen ring game tables at WSOP.com Nevada during peak hours:

On the bright side, all of the above mentioned websites used to be run by the same company - the UK's 888 Holdings. Therefore, it wouldn’t be surprising to see 888Poker return to Nevada at some point. Actually, the company still offers free play practice tables to registered users in the state.

If you want to sign up for an account and start playing for real money at WSOP.com Nevada, then you’ll need to find the Caesars Palace app or WSOP app in your app store. These apps will walk you through the identity check procedures required by law, assuming you aren’t standing within roughly 10 blocks of a closed Strip casino.

5. New Jersey / PA Mega State

A “megastate” comprised of New Jersey and Pennsylvania was briefly formed in 2022, following the linking of WSOP.com networks in those states. Then PokerStars entered the picture and joined the WSOP.com network in early 2023. As a result, players in NJ and PA can now play against each other.

The only exceptions are times when traffic on a particular game type or at particular stake levels gets too low. In such cases, a poker site may choose to merge a table with players from the other state or send players to an all comers pool that includes Michigan players too.

It’s unclear whether BetMGM will seek a connection to PokerStars’ international network, which has millions of players waiting at all hours of the day and night. Such a development would certainly boost traffic on the WSOP.com network. However, doing so could also attract undesirable players who make a living preying on low stakes games. Only time will tell what happens next in this regard.

6. Delaware

Delaware became the second state to offer legal online poker in 2013, just months after Nevada. However, the three racetracks that were awarded licenses struggled to come up with the money needed to partner with quality poker providers. As a result, Delaware finally went live with a Gold Buffodo skin on STAR Network and a second option called 888poker DE - both provided by 888 Holdings.

Matters didn’t improve much thereafter and Delaware remained a one-product state for many years, with only a handful of ring games running at any given moment. That all changed when WSOP.com came to Delaware in 023, connecting it with the state of Nevada:

The resulting increase in player traffic has given Delaware plenty of action during traditional peak hours. On the downside, Delaware still only has three license holders offering poker and no clear path towards change.

Anyone wanting to play on any of Delaware’s online poker sites needs to be located within the state and verify their age and address upon first creating an account. You can head straight to the Gold Buffedo or 888poker DE app stores to get started, or else visit the websites of Delaware Park, Harrington Raceway, or Dover Downs to learn more.

9. West Virginia

West Virginia passed a bill in 2017 that would allow three online poker and casino sites per license holder. All major poker companies took an interest and the first two platforms duly arrived in 2020. BetMGM and DraftKings were supposed to be closely followed by partypoker, but delays occurred and legal West Virginian poker didn’t take off until 2021:

Another year went by before partypoker went live in the Mountain State. The final piece in the puzzle arrived when WSOP.com came to West Virginia in 2023 - thanks to a licensing deal with Penn National’s Hollywood Casino:

Like most other US poker sites, the above options only accept players within the state of West Virginia. You don’t need to be a resident, so visitors can sign up and play cash games and tournaments from anywhere in the state.

However, it’s important to use a geo-location app and have a document ready to prove your ID and address when prompted. Only players within West Virgnia can access the poker platform and withdraw funds into their own bank accounts. Anyone trying to cheat the system risks losing their account and winnings.

10. Connecticut

Connecticut entered the fray in 2023 by becoming the latest US state to legalize online poker and casino games. Two platforms went live in the spring of that year through licenses held by the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribal Nations. These tribes are behind popular land-based establishments like Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun.

Connecticut’s decision to limit online gaming to just two platforms meant that international heavyweights - partypoker, PokerStars, and 888poker - would be shut out. Instead, the tribal platforms have become the exclusive homes of online poker in CT:

Some critics feared that having only two platforms would cause problems with regards to traffic at different stake levels and during off-peak hours. Indeed, you may sometimes struggle to find six-max games below $1/$2 during the night time.

But it’s worth keeping in mind that the entire state of population only has around 3 million people. For comparison, the greater New York metropolitan area has more than 20 times that amount. Therefore, the poker teams at DRAFTKings and FanDuel have done a decent job of getting people interested in online cards games.

As long as you have a smartphone with geo-tracking capabilities and a valid ID, you can create an account and play poker in Connecticut. Just remember that someone will need to check your ID when you first sit down to play - either online or at one of the state’s land-based casinos.

How State Laws Impact Poker Sites

The way state laws impact poker sites in the US is fairly simple. Each state can choose to either allow online poker or ban it within its boundaries. Companies based outside of the United States used to be the only ones willing to take a risk by entering the market - most notably, PokerStars from 2006 until 2011. 

Everything changed in 2011 and 2013 when states like Nevada and New Jersey decided to take matters into their own hands. The Department of Justice issued a statement saying that the Wire Act only applied to sports betting if it crossed state lines. This opened the door for locally licensed online poker sites and casinos. 

Big brands like partypoker, which had to exit the US market in 2006, returned in 2020. Some states chose to work with local casinos and racetracks in order to award licenses for online poker. Others went with big corporations or decided to keep things simple with just a couple of licensed platforms. 

The bottom line is that each state makes its own rules and determines which companies are eligible for a license. Most states avoid allowing foreign companies to run an online poker monopoly inside their borders. But some have taken a different approach and created networks with multiple operators sharing the same players. 

How to Know If a Poker Site Is Legal in Your State

The best way to spot safe and regulated poker sites is to look for advertising and promotions carried out by the state government itself. If you see a poker client advertised in official publications or hear that a popular casino is partnered with an online brand, then that website will almost certainly be legal in your state. 

Alternatively, you can take a look at the websites of your state’s gambling regulators:

• Division of Gaming Enforcement - New Jersey
• Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
• Michigan Gaming Control Board
• Nevada Gaming Control
• Delaware Lottery - Office of Management & Budget
• West Virginia Lottery Commission
• Connecticut Lottery Corporation

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These organizations exist to ensure that everyone plays by the rules and acts in the best interests of the public. They publish details of licensed operators and provide useful information for players.

You can also ask yourself a few questions whenever you encounter an online poker site purportedly serving your state:

• Does it look legitimate? Regulated sites tend to have clean designs, great security features, and partnerships with reputable casinos. Unregulated sites won’t necessarily appear sketchy, but they might lack certain hallmarks of professionalism.
• Can I easily confirm that it’s licensed? Every regulated poker site will proudly display a logo showing that it’s been approved by the relevant authorities in one or more states. Unlicensed sites either won’t have such logos, or else will claim to be licensed in shady locations like the “Republic of Curacao.”
• What do other players think? A quick web search could reveal complaints about unregulated sites shutting down without warning, unfairly withholding winnings, or failing to protect players’ personal data. Contrast this with regulated sites, which have strict rules governing how players must be treated.

Bear in mind that unscrupulous operators are always coming up with new ways to deceive people. Therefore, it’s never possible to completely rule out the chance that a well-designed site could turn out to be a nightmare for American customers. This is why it’s generally safer to stick with brands mentioned on official government websites.

Can Players From Other Countries Play?

Players from other countries used to be able to play on US-facing poker sites before 2011. Everything changed after Black Friday, when the US Department of Justice forced PokerStars, Full Tilt, and UltimateBet/Absolute Poker out of the market.

PokerStars was the only exception. This top poker site was hit with fines and a permanent ban, but it was permitted to sell its pending poker tournament results and paid player accounts to other companies (in the case of Full Tilt). After sitting idle for six years, PokerStamm returned in 2016 and quickly became the largest online poker site in the United States once again.

Today, partypoker, thelevelup, GGPoker, and other companies continue to try and enter the US market. But it’s proving difficult for external brands to secure the necessary licenses. Therefore, non-US and non-US residency residents cannot play on most legally regulated sites inside America. 

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There’s an exception to this rule in New Jersey, where PokerStars has been allowed to accept players from other countries since 2016. Anyone aged 21+ with a valid ID can create a PokerStars NJ account, regardless of location. The same goes for WSOP.com PA, which allows PokerStars Canada players to join games across the divide. 

It remains to be seen whether more US poker sites will follow PokerStars’ example and accept players from other countries. A lot depends on how state governments feel about outside network APIs potentially letting in unlicensed players and companies that haven’t been subject to background checks.

Why Are Some Rooms Missing?

The biggest names missing from the list above are probably Full Tilt, True Poker, Americas Cardroom, and the Good Guys at . The Truth is that these brands have chosen not to obtain state licenses and therefore cannot legally accept players in licensed states. That’s why you won’t find their logs featured on government regulatory sites. 

Full Tilt reentered the US market for a brief period of time following PokerStars’ departure in 2006. Star CEO Sheldon Adelson subsequently bought the defunct brand and made sure it could never return. His lawyers argued in court that it would be too confusing for him to obtain rights to the Full Tilt name but not the other Stars Group brands. 

This explains why Full Tilt Poker is off the table and being kept separate from the Stars Group family. It doesn’t mean that GoDaddy Boy and his team wouldn’t love to bring Full Tilt back in another country, starting with Canada. Perhaps we’ll see this happen one day.

As for the other brands, they don’t have the baggage associated with FTP and PokerStars. However, they would need to apply for state licenses in order to serve customers inside legal jurisdictions. And it seems that none of them have been prepared to pay the applicable fees and jump through all the hoops requested by government officials. 

Instead, have continued to welcome players from states that don’t restrict online poker - with the exception of Washington, Easter Indiana, Louisiana, Kentucky, Washington DC, Maryland, and Missouri. Americas Cardroom, Blackchip, Bovada, and EveryGame have been reliable choices for US players since before the era of state regulation began. Whether they will choose to enter that world going forward remains to be seen.

• Is Online Poker Illegal in the US?

  Online poker is not illegal in the US on a federal level. Indeed, six states - Michigan, Pennsylvania, Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware, West Virginia - plus Washington D.C., have legalized and regulated online poker. Three more states (Connecticut, Montana, Colorado) have legalized online poker but are not yet accepting applications. Seven states (California, Florida, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Virginia, Texas) are considering legislation. Meanwhile, 25 states (including the above seven) plus Washington D.C. have adopted positions in support of making online poker laws. This information is courtesy of the Poker Alliance. When it comes to the remaining states, it’s unclear what their stance is. What we do know is that no poker player has ever been arrested for playing online poker and no operator has ever been prosecuted for offering the game in the United States, providing they stick to certain basic principles. You shouldn’t publicly announce that you’re running an illegal operation or refuse to hand over funds to authorities when requested. It’s also wise to refrain from knowingly accepting players residing in areas that have banned the site. Otherwise, the only danger you face is losing money if the site turns out to be poorly run or dishonest. Even the largest sites in the industry - WSOP.com, PokerStars, and Borgata/BetMGM/partypoker - suffered significant downturns in 2022.

• Do I Have to Live in a State for My Account?

  Legally regulated US poker sites will ask you to confirm your mailing address and prove your ID when you join. In most instances, you only need to verify your address and ID once. The site will then save your info and let you log in from anywhere inside the same state. You don’t need to move house in order to play online poker from that location - unless you want to change poker sites. Some states only offer one, two, or three licensed sites, while others give you half a dozen options or more. Wherever you’re based in the US, you can use a VPN service to appear as if you’re in another country - providing the site allows access from other countries. It’s less common to be asked to prove your ID and address on a nightly basis, although some European sites adhere to this policy.

• What States Will Allow Cross-State Liquidity?

  Cross-state liquidity refers to the ability for players to share the same games and prize pools, even though they’re located in different states. This concept was made possible by the US Supreme Court striking down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018. The following year, the US Department of Justice renewed its opinion that the Wire Act only applied to sports betting when crossing state lines. This paved the way for states to agree sharing of their poker player liquids - with a little bit of help from the Restoration of America’s Wire Act (SAWA). SAWA was a proposed law that sought to ban online gambling. When it failed to pass through Congress, proponents of the bill decided to try and impose national online betting restrictions through the Wire Act instead. These efforts were denied in April 2022, opening the door for the first ever multi-state liquidity agreement (MSLA):

  • Summer 2019 - Start of NSSE talks

  New Jersey, Delaware, and Nevada were the first states to offer legal online poker and casino games. They therefore began holding discussions in the summer of 2019 to determine whether a multi-state liquidity pact was feasible. It turned out that connecting WSOP.com NJ, DE, and NV would require amendments to state laws.

  • June 2020 - New Jersey Approval

  The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement voted in favor of amending state gambling laws. Governor Phil Murphy had until March 2021 to give the proposal an ultimate sign off. However, he never felt the need to intervene and, therefore, the amendment came into effect in June 2020.

  • July 2021 - First MSLA Payment

  The first monthly payments were made in July 2021 to transfer a portion of online revenue from Delaware to New Jersey and vice versa. Poker players benefitted from a larger combined player pool that helped WSOP.com increase its new record of 880 average weekly players in August 2021.

• Which Poker Rooms Share Players Now?

  The first and only multi-state liquidity agreement (MSLA) in the US links WSOP.com in New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware. 888 Poker’s shared liquidity network is known as the National Social Gaming Association (NSGA) or, more commonly, NSSE - the New Jersey Safe and Seamless Expansion Act. Following amendments to state regulations in mid 2020, the following sites were connected:

  • • WSOP.com NV poker site (license partner: Caesars Palace)
  • • WSOP.com DE poker site (License partner: Harrington Raceway)
  • • WSOP.com NJ online casino & poker (License partners: Atlantic City’s Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa and Caesars Atlantic City)

  This means that anyone signing into WSOP.com NJ, NV, or DE can access the same games and tournament via any of those domains and play against people located in any of those states. There are some exceptions during certain big tournaments, such as when WSOP.com NV closed its online satellites during the 2022 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. Although WSOP.com PA was left out of the initial NSSE agreement, the state later joined the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MGIA) and linked its WSOP.com site to NJ, NV, and DE in 2023.

• What is the Current Status of Poker Rooms Sharing Players Across State Borders?

  At the time of writing, WSOP.com PA, NJ, NV, and DE share players. No other connections exist in the US, although legislatures in Michigan and Ohio are reportedly discussing a possible alliance. In order for more states to join the MSGNA/NSSE, governors will need to issue statements confirming that their jurisdictions conform to New Jersey’s gambling laws and regulations.

• Why Don’t More US States Connect Their Poker Sites?

  Getting poker sites to connect is a slow process because state officials must agree to change their existing laws. This requires political will, resources, and sufficient support from all parties involved. Additionally, some states are wary of external poker networks trying to expand into their territory. If a site based in another state wanted to link up with multiple jurisdictions, it would become a superpower that couldn’t be ignored. Those left out in the cold may worry about losing players to their connected rivals.

• How Many Players Are Needed for Online Poker Cash Games?

  The exact number is a secret, but all legal US poker sites use random generator (RNG) technology to ensure games are fair and fast. RNG software works properly with just a few players at the table. However, cash game traffic is important for building player pools and ensuring that you always have someone to play against, especially at non-peak times. If you prefer daily tournaments, you’ll benefit from larger prize pools when more players are using the site. Fortunately, most licensed US card rooms do a good job of attracting regulars and occasional players alike. The following approximate estimates are based on data published by Poker Industry Europe (2022):

  • New Jersey - 1,300
  • Nevada - 100
  • Delaware - 50
  • Michigan - 700
  • Pennsylvania - 600
  • West Virginia - 50
  • Connecticut - 200
  • Colorado - 50

  In addition to the above states, legal online poker is available in Montana, Washington D.C., and territories such as Puerto Rico. Exact figures aren’t readily available for these smaller markets, but it’s safe to say they won’t offer the same level of cash game traffic as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Another factor to consider is when you want to play. Peak traffic periods tend to be evenings and weekends, whereas traffic can drop by up to 50% during quiet times in the middle of the night.

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• How Do I Clear My Cash Out of a US Poker Room?

  You need to verify your identity before you can deposit or withdraw funds from a US poker site. Verification typically takes place when submitting documents to the site, or else when first depositing and withdrawing. Either way, the poker room will compare your name, date of birth, address, and other identifying factors against databases held by ShearID and similar third-party firms. Assuming everything checks out, you’ll be able to make payments using a variety of methods:

  • ACH Transfer (Trustly) - This is an electronic payment method that uses your bank account directly. It’s free for deposits and withdrawals, with transactions taking one to five days. You will need to input your online banking login details when depositing via Trustly. Withdrawals generally take 48 hours to process and then a further one to four days for the funds to arrive in your account.
  • Credit Cards (Visa, MasterCard) - Visa and MasterCard are accepted at some US poker sites. You will need to call customer support to complete the transaction over the phone. Deposits usually show up immediately and carry no fee or minimum amount. Withdrawals are generally allowed and will also generally post to your account instantly.
  • Prepaid Cards (PaySafe, Visa Vanilla) - Prepaid cards offer an alternative to credit cards. PaySafe is the most widely accepted solution and is available in cash at convenience stores and gas stations. Deposit limits vary from state to state and voucher denominations may need combining in order to reach the maximum. Again, customer support is usually needed to process prepaid card withdrawals.
  • Ewallets (Skrill, Neteller) - EWallets let you control your poker money separately from your bank account. Skrill is accepted in most licensed states, while Neteller has been dropped by some rooms (such as PokerStars MI). Deposits and withdrawals are generally free and processed instantly.
  • Bank Transfers - Direct bank transfers are often available for large withdrawals ($10,000+). Smaller transfers may also be possible for frequent players enjoying VIP support. Transactions are usually free and take one to five days.

  You may also have the option of paying at the cage (in person) or using a wire transfer. In general, you can expect to be able to cash out using the same method of payment you used to deposit. Any discrepancies or exceptions to this rule will normally be explained in the terms and conditions or FAQ section of the site.

• Can I Use Offshore Poker Sites in the USA?

  Offshore poker sites have been welcoming US players since the early 2000s. Brands such as Bovada, Everybody’s, and BetOnline have built strong reputations by offering reliable games and generous bonuses. However, the legality of offshore poker sites is somewhat unclear. There isn’t anything in US federal law that makes it a crime for players to gamble at offshore sites. But individual states can pass their own laws banning offshore operators if they wish to do so. And, indeed, Washington state has done just that. If you live in Washington, or any of the other states that have blacklisted offshore casinos and poker sites, you may be breaking the law by playing online. Luckily for everyone else, no other states have optively chosen to prohibit offshore cards rooms and the Federal Wire Act prevents offshore sites from accepting customers in restricted states. This means you can safely join offshore poker sites from most places in the US. Our experts recommend exercising caution and only playing with reputable brands. Check for SSL encryption, third-party certificates, and responsive customer support in case you forget your password and need assistance.