There are more in the United States now than at any time since 2006 but finding the best sites can be tricky. That's why we're here. Our team of experts has been testing online poker rooms for more than a decade and we know what makes one great and which ones should be avoided. Below are our top picks for real-money poker in the USA with more details further down the page.
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8+ Years of Reviewing US Online Poker Sites
Online poker in America has gone through some major shifts since 2006 but one thing that hasn't changed is the way we review poker rooms. These days, we're able to test liquidity sharing poker sites that connect multiple operators but the fundamentals remain the same.
When it comes to reviewing legal online poker sites for American players, we take into consideration a number of factors including cash game and tournament liquidity, availability of the most popular variants (Hold'em, Omaha etc), soft competition if possible, tracking compatibility, mobile functionality, promotions and much more. What you'll find below is an honest appraisal of each poker platform in order to help you make the right choice for your needs.
How We Review US Poker Rooms
Our reviews feature an in-depth look at every facet of each site so you know exactly what to expect before you download. From the sign up process and opening offer to payment options, bonuses, and ongoing promotions, we break it all down and provide our expert commentary along the way. Read on to explore our detailed reviews or click 'Play Here' on this page to get started with no delay.
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Are These Sites Safe, Legal and Licensed in the US?
Yes, these online poker sites are indeed safe, legal and licensed in the US. Indeed, they leverage state-by-state regulation to offer their services to local players. With that in mind, however, it's important to note that not all states have regulated online poker (or gambling in general) but the sites listed above typically have licenses in multiple jurisdictions within the USA. Basically, if you live in California, Georgia or Michigan, you can use the top-rated poker app listed above. If you live in New Jersey, Pennsylvania or Delaware, there are two or three options to choose from. Confused? You don't have to be. Just select "Play Now" on this page and you'll be whisked to all the information you need to get started with a specific operator. From there, you just need to follow the sign up prompts, make a deposit and start playing! If you have any questions about legality, licensing or anything else, please don't hesitate to drop us a line at
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What About Liquidity Sharing Poker Compact?
As mentioned above, the major poker sites in the US leverage a system called Multi-State Sports Betting Agreement (MUSL) or a liquity sharing poker compact to share player pools and thus generate enough volume for cash games at all stakes and decent sized guarantee for their poker tournaments. When PokerStars returned to the US market in 2016, it only had a license to operate in New Jersey and paired with Resorts Casino. This enabled it to share players with its other partner - MUSL was born and it now connects all the major US poker sites as follows:
- PokerStars NJ to PokerStars PA and (since early 2023) to MGM/Borgata MI.
- MUSL connects all PokerStars michigan poker assets and also includes BetMGM PA.
So, when you play in Pennsylvania or New Jersey or Michigan, you're actually connected to a network of liqiuidity sharing poker sites and therefore getting access to the highest volume of games at all levels.
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Do All US States Offer Legal Online Poker?
No they do not. In fact only ten states have regulated poker under state law and not all of those have active poker platforms. The good news is that the top poker apps in the US share players across state lines, which means you'll never be limited to just your own jurisdiction. However, you does must be within said jurisdiction to play.
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What's the Best Site for Real Cash Poker Games in America?
When it comes to choosing the best real cash poker games website in the USA, it really depends on what you want from your experience. If you want the highest overall volume and the best tournament series, PokerStars is hard to beat. If you prefer iDEAL and TORTENBIETEN, Unibet is a solid option. Ultimately though, the best way to find the right site for you is to read our reviews and hit the "Play Here" links to try them for yourself using exclusive bonus codes where possible.
Best Online Casinos for US Players (2023 Better Than Land- Based) -
Can I Play Free Online Poker Games in the USA?
It depends on the state and the site. In some places you can play free two cent poker games while in others, you may have to pay to play. Most new players will probably want to start with free or low stakes poker games. Fortunately, all the major poker sites in the US offer $0.01/$0.02 cash games and a range of freeroll tournaments to help you acclimatize to the felt. Remember, in addition to traditional Texas Hold'em, many poker sites offer more unusual variants such as Five Card Draw, which can be a fun way to diversify your skillset.
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Can I Win Real Money While Playing Online Poker from Home in the US?
Yes. Provided poker is legally available in your state and you're playing on a licensed and regulated site, you absolutely can win money by playing online. In fact, plenty of people do it every day. Of course, the flips won't always go your way and it's important to approach online poker with a view to having fun rather than seeing it as a quick route to easy money. Set yourself a bankroll, learn how to and stick within your limits at all times.
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How Do I Sign Up & Get Started?
Getting started is easier than you might think. First things first: find a state where online poker is legal and locate a site/app you'd like to try (use the info on this page to assist). Click through via a trusted, authorised room key (like PokerListings) to ensure you receive any welcome bonus or other offers. Next, sign up for the site (you'll likely have to provide some basic personal info to verify your account and age). Make a deposit (if you wish - some people prefer to play free games at first) and begin exploring the client. For more detail, refer to the poker room reviews on this page and/or watch video guides on YouTube. When in doubt, reach out to the room's support team (most have 24/7 options.) Good luck at the tables!
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Is Online Poker Legal in My State?
At a federal level, poker and most other forms of online gambling were outlawed in the US following the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006. However, this left room for individual states to enact their own gambling laws. To this point nine states plus the capital district have passed legislation permitting legal, licensed online poker and casino gaming: New Jersey, Nevada, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Connecticut, Michigan, Delaware, Montana and Colorado. If you're not sure whether your state allows online poker, head to our dedicated pages for more info:
Also note that some Indian country casinos offer online gambling in states without explicit internet-gambling laws. Examples include Washington state (where Qūnutuck offers sweepstakes games) and Texas (although the latest Chambers v. Schlecte verdict casts doubts upon its future).
Finally, it's worth noting that US players can access foreign online poker sites - specifically, those located on servers outside US jurisdiction. The biggest exception to this rule is New Jersey, which doesn't allow its residents to play on offshore sites if they want to participate in WSOP.com tournaments and cash games that are linked between NJ, NV and Delaware.
Best Legal Poker Sites by State
As mentioned above, the biggest poker sites in the US share player pools thanks to the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (see boxout above for more details). What this means for you is that it doesn't matter which state you reside in because you'll get to enjoy a robust player pool no matter what.
That being said, the poker sites you'll have access to will depend on where you live. Residents of New Jersey, for example, have three excellent poker platforms to choose from while players in Michigan only have two options.
Must-Know Texas Hold'em Starting Hands for Cash GamesThe following table lays out the situation state by state and provides links to our dedicated poker legally reviews.
New Jersey
Poker players in New Jersey are spoiled for choice with eight online poker sites active in the Garden State at the time of writing. Barring any unforeseen circumstances PokerStars MI will bring the same software and games currently offered in New Jersey to Michigan players starting February 8, 2023.
Most operators offer a healthy mix of promotions and run regular series while shared liquidity ensures reasonable cash game traffic at all stake levels and solid guarantees for their monthly poker tournaments.
Zone.com Online Casino Review - Top Games & Bonuses in CAYou can find our complete New Jersey poker site review for 2023 on the page but the short version is that PokerStars is king when it comes to action and variety while August 2022's relaunch breathed new life into the Borgata Client. PartyPoker remains a fine choice for casual players and fans of poker metagame while bet365 Poker NJ offers some unique features of its own.
Unibet is another strong option for casual players and Pala is an interesting prospect for fish on a mission. Scoreboard shows the latest traffic figures.
Best Legal Poker App NJ Overall - PokerStars NJ
If you're looking for the best legitimate card room in the Garden State then it has to be PokerStars. Period. Full stop. Available on all formats, the PokerStars NJ app runs smoothly throughout and even looks great too. But more importantly than aesthetics, this is the best site for NJ poker players in terms of traffic and diversity of games. Add to this lucrative bonuses, a stellar VIP program and plenty of to contend with and it's easy to see why PokerStars NJ ranks so highly.
**Click Quinn placard above for latest PokerStars NJ traffic or **head to PokerStars NJ here to chase your spy fantasy.
Best Android Poker App NJ - Augusftsoft/Betfair
Although PokerStars would probably be your best bet for Android poker in New Jersey (provided your device isn't also your tablet) we're going to give a shout out to the Zynga derivative known as augusftsoft's Betfair Online. Now, before you laugh, hear us out.
Firstly, we've tested dozens of Android poker apps and very few are configured to work with System-on-a-Chip (SoC) architecture used in most Android phones and tablets so the fact this app works is a miracle in itself. Secondly, when you load the app you'll find cash games, SNGs and tournaments with regular guaranteed prizepools and satellites to major events. Sure, the software isn't perfect, but it plays good enough and that puts it ahead of the pack at this time.
Best Legal Live Tournament Poker NJ - Borgata
It's tough to pick just one live poker venue in New Jersey given the fact garden state players also have access to Atlantic City - one of the premier tourist destinations on the Eastern Seaboard. That being said, the Borgata stands apart from the rest of the ACE crowd due largely in part to the Borgata Spring One Drop extravaganza held every May that regularly attracts thousands of players and big name celebrities, actors, athletes and poker pros alike.
Other Borgata highlights include the Borgata Open, the World Series of Poker Circuit and, of course, convenient access to the many restaurants, bars, shops, clubs and attractions found within spittin' distance of your blackjack table or poker table.
Best Legal Mobile Poker App NJ - PokerStars
See above. The same reasons that make PokerStars NJ our top pick for an online poker site in total also apply to their mobile application, which is quite possibly the best mobile poker app NJ has to offer.
Yes, there are a couple of unique features missing from the mobile client (eg the legendary $1 Challenge) but for the most part you get the full PokerStars experience regardless of whether you're on desktop, laptop, phone or tablet.
Plus Casino Bonus Offers Found (June 2023) with Top CodesFor a full rundown of what to expect, see the PokerStars NJ app review on this page. Otherwise, click the Play button above to get stuck in.
Pennsylvania
Legal online poker Pennsylvania arrived in November 2019 when PokerStars PA launched and it brought with it the gift of liquidity sharing - a mechanism that allows its linked sites (currently just BetRivers/PlaySugarPoker) to pool players and generate sufficient volume for daily tournaments and cash games.
Indeed, PokerStars Pennsylvania easily takes the #1 spot for the best place to play online cards in the Keystone State with its rival struggling to offer more than micro stakes games and occasional tournaments. That being said, anyone looking to grind mid or high stakes cash games will be happy to find a moderately active mid-sized playerpool at PokerStars PA.
Best Legal Online Poker Sites Pennsylvania Overall - PokerStars PA
No contest. PokerStars Pennsylvania is the only site that can truly be called a poker site so, for the sake of argument, we won't even mention the BetRivers and SugarHouse skin on the PlayUp network. As the undisputed champ of Pennsyvlania poker, PokerStars PA gets the top spot on our list and for good reason. Spin & Go's, huge tournament series, a growing selection of daily majors and plenty of cash games await. Add to this a fully liquidity sharing player pool and PokerStars Pennsylvania is a winner. See our full review using the link below for more details.
Best Android Poker App PA - PokerStars PA
Yup, it's PokerStars again. Look, we want to be excited about the promise of mobile poker in Pennsylvania but the truth is no other operators have released an Android compatible app yet and PokerStars rules supreme whenever we evaluate card rooms for android devices. Yes, the software could be slightly more polished but it gets the job done - which is more than we can say for the competition.
Best Live Poker Venue Pennsylvania - Parx Casino
It wasn't an easy decision to peg Parx Casino as the best live poker room in PA but after careful evaluation we concluded that it had the edge over competitors like Rivers Casino Pittsburgh and Philadelpha.
Parx's primary selling points are its numerous promotions, including leaderboards, bad beat jackpots, high hands, and daily/weekly freerolls. It also has the largest poker room in the state with 50 tables and a high capacity during live poker events.
is online poker legal in pennsylvaniaTop it off with plenty of nearby dining and entertainment options and it's clear why Parx is king of the hill in Pennsylvania.
Michigan
Like Michigan online gambling in general, online poker arrived suddenly in January 2021 when Governor Whitmer signed legislative packages into law. Indeed, it took less than a year for the Great Lake State to go from zero to hero when it came to poker and Whitmer gave he green light to both Michigan online sports betting and iGaming on the same day (March 22, 2021).
This created a lot of confusion regarding licensing windows and the like but by the end of 2022 BetMGM, PokerStars and a rebranded former WSOP.COM-Brésil. Both rooms share liquidity which means they consistently have adequate volume at all hours, particularly on weekends and during major tournament series.
Best Legal Online Poker Sites Michigan Overall - PokerStars MI
When PokerStars returned to the US in 2015 it promised a better way to play and it has delivered on that promise in New Jersey. Now the world's biggest online poker site finally has a second regulated market in Michigan and it dominates from the outset with unmatched volume, variety of games and promotional muscle. There's simply no comparison to its rival so if you want the best possible experience at the virtual felt in the Great Lake State there's only one place to be.
Best Android Poker App MI - PokerStars MI
Yeah, it's PokerStars again. Honestly, we were surprised to find the PokerStars MI Android app worked at all because system requirements state that you must have an iPad or iPhone 5 or later (including 5c, 6, 6 Plus) running iOS 12.0 or later, a device with Android 5 (Lollipop), at least 2GB RAM and Android Version 6 (Marshmallow), API level 23 or higher.
Well, our test device - a Samsung Galaxy Tab Active2 - just about meets those requirements so it's odd that the app works pretty well. Yes, it lags a little during animation but it loads games quickly and play is smooth enough. Of course, YMMV but if you're looking for the best regulated Android poker app in Michigan, PokerStars is a good place to start.
Best Live Tournament Poker MI - MGM Grand Detroit
World Series of Poker players will be pleased to know that MGM Grand Detroit hosts several bullets for various WSOP.COM-Brésil events throughout the year - specifically, the WSOP.COM Michigan Winter Series in February, the WSOP.COM-BR Michigan Championship in June and the WSOP.COM-BR Super Stack in September.
These series attracted hundreds of players for the inaugural editions in 2022 so it appears that this partnership will provide Michigan players with plenty of opportunities to win gold bracelets and tussle with famous poker pros in the years to come.
Meanwhile, the regular monthly series hosted by BetMGM MI and PokerStars MI also feature significant prize pools and varied schedules of events.
Other States
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Delaware
Delaware became the first state in the US to offer legalized online poker and casino games in 2013. However, the three Racetrac Entertainment-owned properties that offer these games - Harrington Raceway, Dover Downs and Delaware Park - agreed to share all player activity meaning the combined pool was relatively small for midday or weekend sessions.
On the bright side, all online Delaware poker sites in the state use the same software so at least the games look and feel the same. Additionally Total Poker introduced its own independent software in 2022 which shakes things up a bit.
Overall traffic is modest but nothing to write home about. Note that Delaware players cannot currently play against their counterparts in Nevada or New Jersey. See our complete guide to legal Delaware poker online for more info.
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Nevada
Nevada was something of a trailblazer when it came to legal online poker in the US. The state passed legislation allowing it to offer intrastate online poker and gambling in 2013 and was joined by Delaware in a historic agreement known as the Multi-State Technology Agreement (MSTA).
Ways to Contact BetMGM Support - Our Recommended MethodThis allowed players in both states to play against each other on just a few select sites, namely WSOP.COM NV & DE and Ultimate Poker (which closed its doors in 2018.) Things got even better for Nevada poker players in 2014 when New Jersey joined MSTA and its three sites but the golden age was not to last because just a few months later Anti stayed the flow by vetoing his states Legislature's bill to join the party.
Today, Nevada online poker sites continue to muddle along with modest weekly traffic according to our Scoreboard. WSOP.COM NV is the obvious choice for serious players due to its liquidity sharing tunnel to Delaware and New Jersey. See our complete guide to legal poker sites in Nevada for more info.
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West Virginia
West Virginia became the fifth state to legalize and regulate online poker and gambling websites in March 2019 but to date only one operator - BetMGM - has taken advantage of the opportunity.
To make matters worse, the five-year exclusive period granted to Hollywood Casino & Racetrack (owned by Penn National Gaming) means it could be half a decade before we see another site enter the West Virginia online poker market.
It's possible to play real-money poker and casino games from within the Mountaineer State but you'll have to use an unlicensed, offshore site - a practice that is technically illegal. We strongly advise against using offshore sites because in addition to violating state gambling laws they also put your money and personal information at risk.
Hopefully another operator will see fit to enter the West Virginia poker market soon and encourage Hollywood to get its finger out but until then WV residents desperate for a virtual card room might want to pretend they're James Bond and give a try. It's not great but it's better than nothing.
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Connecticut
Connecticut became the eleventh state to legalize online poker and gambling in late 2021 with the signing of HB 6451 into law. Unlike other states, which have enacted piecemeal legislation to legalize individual games such as poker and blackjack, Governor Ned Lamont approved a sweeping bill that authorized all sorts of interactive gambling in one fell swoop.
Casinos Where You Can Gamble in Ohio - Are They Legal?This made Connecticut one of the most progressive states in the US when it comes to online gambling - provided you like slots more than cards. To be clear the law that went live on July 1, 2022 does contain provisions for online poker but, strangely, it doesn't take effect until JULY 1, 2026.
That means Connecticut residents who sign up at online poker sites like DraftKings, FanDuel and BetRivers will technically be doing so illegally unless they delete their accounts on June 30, 2026. It's a peculiar situation to be sure but at least you can play DFS and online slots/casino games in the meantime. See our Connecticut gambling guide for details.
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Oklahoma
Oklahoma isn't exactly a poker hotspot but residents did have the option of playing at Choctaw Casino's before the COVID pandemic struck in 2020. Unfortunately the disease wreaked havoc on the state and Governor Kevin Stitt responded by banning all gaming activities - including poker - that couldn't be conducted in person.
This meant the end for online poker in Oklahoma and it seems unlikely the industry will recover any time soon considering Stitt signed a bill (HR 2074) into law that severely restricts all forms of remote gambling - including raffles and even charity poker tournaments.
The only exceptions are fantasy sports (which were already legal) and "social gaming" clubs where members pay an annual fee to play poker in a private club. Needless to say, this isn't ideal for most people but it's better than nothing... Right?
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Virginia
Virginia became the sixteenth state to legalize online poker and gambling in April 2021 but, unlike other jurisdictions, the law that was passed contained no provision for interactive poker or casino games. Instead Governor Ralph Northam signed a bill (SB 344) that solely focused on legalizing historical horse racing machines.
That may seem like a disappointment to poker players but it could have been worse. Moreover, proponents of HB 443 ensured that the bill contained a section that goes into effect on July 1, 2023. During this interim period, the attorney general will conduct a study to determine the impact of online gambling on the Commonwealth and report back to the state legislature.
Lawmakers can then use this information to draft a comprehensive bill similar to those passed in other states like Michigan and Connecticut. Let's hope they move swiftly because the current best legal poker Virginia has to offer consists of private cash games that aren't licensed by the state government.
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Wisconsin
Wisconsin is one of the few states in the US that specifically prohibits online gambling of any kind. Specifically Sec. 566.01(4g)(bm)3. Of the Wisconsin statutes states that "online" refers to "telephonic, Internet, palmtop device, wireless, or similar communication."
The lone exception is Constellation (formerly Intralot) which holds a monopoly on online Keno sales under contract with the Wisconsin Lottery. There are no live poker rooms in Wisconsin at this time although that could change now that Governor Tony Evers has signed AB 217 into law.
This bill amended Sec. 562.32(1)(b) of the Wisconsin statues to permit up to three brick & mortar establishments that hold a Class 1 license to construct a casino under Chapter 563. Those facilities may now offer "table games" such as blackjack, craps, roulette and poker but only if patrons are over the age of 21 and visible to an employee of the establishment at all times.
Operators must also pay a $10,000 nonrefundable application fee, post a $5 million surety bond and wait six months for their request to be considered. Needless to say, it could be a while before the first Wisconsin poker room opens its doors so online poker is off the table for now.
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California
The potential pipeline for legal online poker in the Golden State is unquestionably the biggest in the nation but attempts to turn potential into reality have all ended in failure. Indeed, efforts to pass an all-encompassing poker and gambling bill - most recently AB 1673 in 2022 - have all fallen short due to opposition from tribal casinos, horse tracks and card rooms.
Best Casino Games List (2023) - Ranked by Payout & FunThe sticking points usually revolve around control and marketshare. Specifically, tribes want to maintain their monopoly on internet poker while other entities (notably the major operators) want to introduce more liberal licensing provisions to foster competition and hopefully lower prices for consumers.
Another issue that arises in almost every iteration of the iPoker bill is whether to allow racetracks to offer online digital Jai-Alai, which some believe is an acceptable alternative to poker. Needless to say, this doesn’t sit well with the poker community so if you want to play real money Texas Hold'em or Pot Limit Omaha cards online in California in the near future you might want to start lobbying your local representatives.
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New York
New York is one of the biggest states in America (both literally and figuratively) but unfortunately its approach to online poker has been small-minded to say the least. Rather than consider comprehensive bills that could lead to a statewide poker network, lawmakers have instead passed a series of bills that legalized a handful of very specific poker endeavors - most notably poker tournaments at brick & mortar casinos and online daily fantasy sports.
More recently (Summer 2022) Governor Kathy Hochul signed four bills into law that tweaked existing legislation to clarify certain points and expand others. For example, SB 1200B allows the state Gaming Commission to issue five additional licenses for in-person poker tournaments while S7103-B allows the same authority to oversee virtual poker tournaments online.
Safe Ways to Play Free Casino Games Online in 2023Resort World Catskills also scored a minor victory when the governor signed SB 8542-A, which allows the Thompson Ridge resort to offer seven-day poker room trials beginning in 2024. Meanwhile caissiers in the Big Apple can now enjoy a game of virtual poker during their breaks thanks to A10641-A.
It's progress of a sort but New York still lacks a proper regulated online poker site.
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Ohio
Ohio lawmakers introduced several bills in recent years that sought to legalize everything from sports betting and poker rooms to online lotto and poker but nothing came to fruition... Until Summer 2022, that is, when Governor Mike DeWine signed HB 194 into law.
This bill established the Ohio Casino Control Commission to oversee sports betting and keno while HB 2440 added language to allow the Ohio Lottery Commissions to offer online and instant wins, draw games and iKeno. Governor DeWine also signed HB 315 into law, which creates the framework to allow video lottery terminela-like historical horse racing machines.
Does any of this have to do with poker? Not directly but HB 194 does contain a provision that goes into effect on Bingo Night (aka December 31, 2022.) During this interim period, the Attorney General will conduct a study on the benefits and disadvantages of various forms of interactive gambling, including poker. Based on this information, the AG will prepare a report for the General Assembly with recommendations for future legislation.
Translation: Ohio lawmakers might take another stab at legal online poker in 2024. Stay tuned.
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Texas
Texas is arguably the biggest prize in the online poker world but it's also one of the hardest to bag. Why? Because the Republican-controlled Texas legislature isn't keen on expanding gambling in any form and the process of introducing a bill, debating it and putting it to a vote can take years.
Another obstacle to legal Texas online poker is the Establishment Clause of the Texas Constitution, which states that "no lottery, or drawing for a prize, shall be permitted, unless it be authorized and supervised by the law."
Proponents of online poker and gambling get around this hurdle by introducing bills that would amend the constitution therefore requiring a public referendum (aka voting) to approve. Needless to say, getting enough "yes" votes across the Lone Star State is far from easy but it's better than the alternative.
With all that in mind it's little wonder that Rep. Giovanni Capriglione introduced HB 2155 in 2023 to create the Position of Language Accessibility for the Blind or Visually Impaired; provide for the authorization and regulation of interactive Fantasy Sports; and provide for the authorization and regulation of Interactive Poker Only.
The bill didn't become law in 2023 but Capriglione can introduce it again next session.
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Colorado
Colorado legalized all manner of gambling websites when Governor Jared Polis signed HB 1321 into law in 2019 but this law doesn't take effect until JUNE 30, 2023.
During this interim period, the Colorado Division of Gaming must conduct a study on the impacts of internet gambling. Once this study is completed, the division must submit a report to the Education Committee and Joint Budget Committee by December 31, 2023.
Slot Machine Guide (What is a Slot Machine?)Based on this information, the Education Committee and Joint Budget Committee can decide whether to introduce a bill to regulate online poker and gambling in the Rocky Mountain state. It's possible for this to happen sooner because Colorado already has a framework in place thanks to HB 1321 so lawmakers wouldn't have to start completely from scratch.
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South Carolina
South Carolinians can't currently play real-money online poker but that could change in the near future. Representative Jason Whitehead prefiled H 5152 to legalise “remote” poker and casino gaming on February 9, 2023.
The bill defines “remote gaming” to mean a game played via the Internet or any communications medium of span that enables a player to communicate hours, credits, or objects to, from, or with a facility in this state.
Remote poker would be subject to a 10% tax under the proposed legislation.
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Florida
Florida is one of the largest states in America in terms of land mass and population so it would be a major catch for the online poker industry. Indeed, legislators have tried to introduce bills to regulate poker and gambling websites in the Sunshine State on multiple occasions but they've all failed to gain traction.
One of the main sticking points is the Seminole Indian Compact, a treaty that governs gambling on Native American lands in Florida. Various revisions of this pact contain language pertaining to online poker and casino games but none of them have survived judicial review.
Governor Ron DeSantis controls a sizable war chest and faces no serious challengers in his reelection bid this fall so he could decide to take matters into his own hands by proposing a constitutional amendment to legalize online gambling in Florida. Whether he'll do so remains to be seen but we wouldn't bet against The Gator.
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Arizona
Arizona legalized all manner of gambling websites in 2021 but unfortunately that law contains no provisions for online poker.
Department of Gaming Director Tobin McArthur says this oversight wasn't intentional and the agency is working to rectify the situation. Specifically, the ADGG intends to study the impacts of internet poker and gambling in Arizona during an 18-month period commencing July 1, 2023.
During this period, no licenses for interactive poker or gambling websites can be issued but interested parties can submit applications once the process is opened. Governor Katie Hobbs will then have 10 days to sign off on each license whereas current law states that her predecessor Doug Ducey had unilateral approval over all new gambling licenses in Arizona.
This could prove significant because Ducey used his veto power to strike language from the 2021 gambling bill that would have given the Arizona Department of Gaming the authority to license online poker sites. Needless to say, it will be interesting to see if Hobbs moves to license online poker in the Grand Canyon State.
Which US State Has the Largest Selection of Real Money Poker Sites?
Currently the state with the most real money online poker sites is New Jersey followed by Pennsylvania, Michigan, and then Delaware & West Virginia (tie.) That won’t always be the case, however, because
