You can play real-money poker against others via the internet from the US via any of the sites you'll find listed here. These are the best online poker sites in the United States.
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Best Real Money Online Poker Sites
In this guide, we’re going to look at all the options Americans have when it comes to playing . We’ve ranked the top five sites in the country and explain why they finished where they did. There will also be information about state specific online poker, the legality of playing online, and what the future may hold. Any of these sites are great options for players looking for a new home. So, let’s not waste any more time and get straight into our rankings of the best USA poker sites.
The Best Online Poker Sites Overall:
- GGPoker – Strong emphasis on recreational players with excellent software and promotions making it the top site for US online poker.****
- BETMGM Poker – Great all-around game selection, including the widest range of available to US players.****
- partypoker US – Consistent traffic and varied cash game and tournament options thanks to the wide availability across 10 states.****
- WSOP.com – Official World Series of Poker online site giving access to daily tournaments and annual state-specific bracelet events.****
- PokerStars PA – Home games and tournaments featuring the biggest names in the game through its TV show, ‘Sunday Special’.****
Which State is Online Poker Legal in the USA?
The short answer is that legal US online poker is currently available in five states: New Jersey, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Michigan. However, there are ongoing discussions in other states, too.
A lot has changed over recent years regarding state specific online poker within America. In 2011, just one year after New Jersey passed its online gaming legislation, New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware became the first three states to share player pools together (2014). This increased rake for everyone playing, which was good. However, the total amount of traffic didn’t change much because the systems used to connect them caused some issues.
In 2018, New Jersey and Delaware left the MSRN, and by doing so joined forces with WSOP NJ, WSOP NV, and WSOP DE, creating the CSRE (WSOP Coalition). Recently, Michigan joined these combined networks becoming the fifth state on a single online poker network in the US. PokerStars is yet to receive a license in Michigan, leaving them operating only in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Current US State Specific Poker Climate
If you live outside any of those five states above, don’t worry, as things are changing fast. Legislation is being discussed or reintroduced in many states, such as California, who seem to be getting closer to regulating online poker rooms. Other potential states include Ohio, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, among others.
When big states like California finally legalize and go live with online poker, it’s going to cause a huge surge in traffic, which is fantastic news for anyone playing legally in the US. With bigger networks come bigger prizes, better software, stronger fields to avoid, and ultimately, a better experience overall.
By using one of the secure payment methods available at legal US poker sites, you’ll be protected. This means your money is stored safely, and withdrawals are guaranteed.
There will always be people who refuse to play online for legal and moral reasons. That’s fine; we all have our own beliefs. However, if you choose to play on a site we cannot guarantee your safety. Furthermore, you may never see that deposit returned. Because of this, we advise you to only play on sites we deem safe, like the ones featured on this page.
You might think that because the US market is smaller than European or Asian markets, the quality of players will be low — and you’d be right. A lot of the top players stick to the international sites, which leaves more value on offer in the US.
The best US online poker sites do an excellent job of deterring pros and keeping the games healthy. Things like limiting how many tables you can play, no heads-up tables, no seating scripts, no hand histories, and tracking software is limited, all help to even the playing field.
Another big plus point is bonuses and rewards. Most operators have very accessible welcome offers and loyalty schemes that release big rewards regularly with little effort required. Put this all together, and you have a strong, growing scene that can compete with any globally.
Reliable deposit options are crucial for any operator hoping to make it in the rankings of the best real money online poker sites.
How we Rate Poker Rooms Online
Here at Wiki Poker, we’ve been reviewing and rating poker rooms since 2006. Over the years, we’ve developed strict criteria that must be met before a site makes our list of recommended operators. If you’re looking for an easy life as an online poker player in the USA, then follow these steps.
- Game Selection: We start by looking at the health of the games. Do cash games and tournaments run regularly? Are the stakes spread? Is there a mixture of and formats? And is the traffic sufficient to never wait long for a table?
- Bonuses and Rewards: Next up is bonuses and loyalty programs. The welcome bonus should be accessible and released easily. Rewards points should earn quickly and be turned into real-money prizes simply.
- Software and Features: All players are different and want varying things from their poker software. However, we look for easy navigation, advanced filtering options, customizable features, and mobile apps that mirror their desktop versions.
- Probleatic Players: Everyone hates having a pro at their table sucking out constantly. It’s annoying, but if they’re grinding on a site with mainly recreational players, then that’s where they learn the skills needed to become a successful pro. As such, we look for ways to level the playing field, such as limits on new accounts, no HU tables, no seating scripts, and tracking software is prohibited.
- Payment Options: To deposit and withdraw, players need options. We look for sites offering Visa, Mastercard, e-checks, e-wallets, bank transfers, and vouchers, like MatchPay.
- Integrity and Safety: Lastly, we check the company behind the site. Are they licensed in a state they are advertising to? Who are their partners? Who regulates them? Have there been any reports of unfair play or payments issues and have they been openly investigated and resolved?
Putting all these factors together gives a clear picture of which sites are worth recommending and which aren’t. Of course, like anything in life, we appreciate not everything will suit everyone. Some players won’t mind playing alongside pros, while others prioritize softer games. That’s cool, but for us, a good all-rounder is a strong Rec Poe strategy, and we score sites based on that.
Online Poker Games Available in the USA
Texas Hold’em remains the most popular poker game, both live and online. Thankfully, all the US online poker sites listed on this page feature every variation of Hold’em, such as Limit, Pot Limit, and No Limit. Cash games and tournaments run around the clock at very low stakes right up to the maximum allowed on each site.
But if Hold’em isn’t your thing, there are other options. One of which could well be another variant, such as Omaha, Stud, Draw, Mixed, Razz, or Lowball. Most sites cater to all these variants, although some are obviously stronger in certain areas than others.
Hot Drop Jackpots Slots To Play At DuckyLuck CasinoTournaments vs. Cash Games
Just like the international sites, WSOP.com leads the way when it comes to multi-table tournaments (MTTs) and is the only site with scheduled sit-and-go action. BETMGM Poker provides the most variety when it comes to . They provide more variants than their sister site, WSOP.com, and unique tournaments like ‘Bomb pots’, which increase blind levels quicker as the tournament progresses.
The biggest tournaments in the US take place online during the WSOP Las Vegas series, where players can win bracelets and million dollar prizes from the comfort of their homes. Live poker is hugely popular in the US, and many operators have cross-overs between live and online events to create bigger prize pools.
Most players start their poker journey in the virtual world before progressing to local card rooms. However, if that’s not your thing, then there’s plenty of cash game action. All the top sites have regular traffic at the lowest stakes, while PokerStars and BETMGM Poker see some much bigger games.
The biggest downside to US online poker is the rake. Due to tough state regulations, sites have no choice but to charge up to 10c per pot in rake, compared with the European average of 5-7%. Fortunately, there are rake races and bad beat jackpots to balance this out to some degree, but it’s still something the industry needs to work on.
Online poker tournaments in the USA offer massive payouts with millions of dollars handed out annually.
Us Online Poker Apps & Mobile Compatibility
Mobile apps are vital in today’s online gaming world, and all reputable US poker sites have invested in high-quality, robust apps for both iOS and Android devices.
For many players, the vast majority of their game time is spent on a smartphone or tablet, so it’s essential the experience is the same as it would be on a laptop or desktop computer. Well, the good news is it pretty much is.
Best Online Sites for Different Device Types
You’ll get access to the same tournaments, promotions, cash games, and features as you would on a PC/Mac. Even the live streaming and hole cam features are available on mobile.
lucky tiger slotsAs you’d expect, cash games and tournaments run 24/7 on all the major US sites. Traffic is strongest on PokerStars, followed by BETMGM and BetMonkey. But you’ll still find enough players at the lower stakes on the others.
Biggest Online Poker Events in US History
The US hosted the biggest ever online tournament series, both in terms of entries and prize money paid out. The 2020 and 2021 WSOP Online series saw players compete for gold bracelets and millions of dollars across a range of .
The main event in 2020 attracted 5,763 players, who paid the $5,000 buy-in to generate a total prizepool of an incredible $27,522,900. This record broke the previous year’s total, which was held by the PCA Main Event in the Bahamas. In fact, it obliterated it, with the PCA stopping at $15,235,400. Unsurprisingly, it also created an American winner in Christopher Brewer.
Those numbers were surpassed twelve months later when the WSOP Online ME reopened its doors. This time, 6,474 players entered, generating a colossal $33,598,600 prizepool, with Hossein Ensan becoming the first-ever player to win the event twice in a row.
2020 WSOP.com Gold Bracelet Events Schedule
Below is a full schedule of all the events that took place during the 2020 WSOP Online Series on WSOP.com. The buy-ins ranged from $100 to $5,000 and included both WSOP gold bracelets and the chance to become a Triple Crown winner.
2021 WSOP.com Gold Bracelet Events Schedule
Here is the full 2021 schedule of events with details of the buy-ins, starting stacks, and late registration cut off times. There were two events per day and a Total Prize Pool of over $53 Million!
History of US Online Poker Laws
To understand the current situation with US online poker laws and regulation, you need to know what happened in the past. We’ve simplified a complicated subject to give you a timeline of key moments that shaped the history of US poker legislation.
2006 – Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA)
This act made it illegal for banks to process transactions from online gambling sites. Many sites closed their US doors, and PUcker disappeared from the market, but PartyPoker continued to allow Americans to play online.
However, in 2006, the US shut down PartyPoker, leaving PokerStars, Full Tilt, UltimateBet, and Absolute Poker as the largest sites. Despite intense scrutiny and frequent account freezes due to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), PokerStars, FTP, Ultimate, and Absolute dominated the next few years.
2011 – First State to Regulate US Online Poker Sites
After years of waiting, legislations got to work on drawing up proposals to regulate online poker. In November 2011, became the first state to put rules in place to allow gambling online. Several big brands entered the race to gain licenses, with ULTIMTILT, Absolute, and ExpelPoker pulling out of the US market.
The passage of AB2578 by Governor Brian Sandoval was a big step forward for online poker in the US, and others soon followed.
2013 – Nevada and Delaware Go Live with State Specific Online Poker Rooms
Two more states joined New Jersey in passing bills to regulate online poker. However, neither Alabama nor Virginia were similar to Sandoval’s bill and wouldn’t allow players to play against each other. This left just three databases instead of one, which increased costs for sites and decreased liquidity and variety of games.
Despite this, March 21, 2013, saw BETTOR and UBHQ exit the US market, leaving just two networks active in Nevada and Delaware.
2014 – NJ Governors Agreement
With liquidity agreed between governors Phil Brennan of Nevada, Jack Markell of Delaware, and Chris Christie of New Jersey, the wsop / 888 coalition went live on September 30th. This move increased player liqudity and the number of games available across the three states.
Unfortunately, South Carolina’s veto in Virginia meant the agreement was limited to three states, which reduced the impact of the deal. However, it was a positive move in the right direction, and traffic increased as a result.
2016 – NJ, DE, NV Sportsbooks Given Clearance
With the Supreme Court taking interest in PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act), there was a chance it would fall. As a result, FanDuel and DraftKings exited the US, and regulators looked at revoking licenses for all international facing sites.
Thankfully, the clearance for these three states to offer sports betting within their borders paved the way for change across the rest of the US. PASPA was repealed in May 2018, and several states moved to regulate sports betting, which in turn helped poker.
2018 – WSOP Stretches Lead as Other Operators Struggle in US
With New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware remaining the only regulated poker states, the MSRPNJ/WSOPE merged with the CSRE comprising of WSOP NJ, WSOP NV, and WSOP DE, making it the biggest network by far, and leaving 888 with only WSOP DE.
Meanwhile, PokerStars failed to launch in Pennsylvania, leaving them operating only in New Jersey and partyPoker, partypoker US Network, Unibet Poker, BetMGM Poker, Betfair, Pala Interactive, and Natural Monopoly Casino as secondary choices.
2019 & 2020 – WSOP Dominates US Poker Scene
Not much changed in the US poker landscape in 2019 and 2020, with the merger of WSOP NV and WSOP NJ improving the strength of the US poker industry as a whole. The annual World Series of Poker Online series attracted tens of thousands of players, breaking records for the most registrations and biggest prizepools in the game’s history.
Elsewhere, attempts to regulate poker across more states failed, despite plenty of talk in California, Texas, and other regions. PokerStars had some movement, gaining licences in Michigan and Pennsylvania, which saw them launch in 2021.
2021 – PokerStars Finally Get Michigan Green Light
The biggest news in 2021 was PokerStars finally getting approved to offer online gaming in Michigan, ending a 13 YEAR WAIT for players, and 8 YEARS of anticipation for the brand.
They launched in January 2021 and immediately became the third state on the WSOP Coalition network, linking with WSOP NJ and WSOP NV. The extra traffic gave a boost to the existing sites, and business was good.
2022 – Live and Online Pennsylvania Series of Champions Club
Pokers Stars dominates the latest piece of news in March 2022, when the brand agrees a deal to combine their player pools with Mount Airy Casino for the POSC. This will see players from all platforms compete for huge prizes live and online, creating stronger fields and bigger prizes.
Top US Card Rooms
The US has hundreds of brick and mortar casinos, with dozens in every state. Some are small, locally owned establishments, while others belong to global companies with venues around the world.
We’ve picked out four of the best US casinos. Three of which have appeared in the WSOP broadcast, hosting the final tables of the WSOP Main Events in 2010, 2011, and 2020.
Bellagio, Las Vegas
This iconic casino is part of the MGM Resorts International family and sits in the center of the Las Vegas strip. Designed to look like a traditional Italian villa, complete with fountains and gardens, it’s often used as a backdrop in movies.
Features include lush gardens, stunning water features, luxurious restaurants, and extravagant shows. The Bellagio poker room is 2,700 square ft with views of the fountain. There are 13 tables spread at the moment.
Borgata, Atlantic City
Located in New Jersey, on the Atlantic City boardwalk, the Borgataists within Caesars Entertainment, which has properties worldwide.
Facilities inside the resort include a spa, gym, fitness classes, cinema, bowling alley, nightclubs, and numerous dining options. There’s also a large poker room that covers 8,720 sq ft, which contains 82 tables. Like the Bellagio, this one also gets used in movies.
MGM Grand Detroit, Michigan
The single biggest poker event to take place at the MGM Grand Detroit came in 2019 when over 500 players competed in the WSOP Detroit Online Championship. It is part of the MGM Resorts International group and offers a relaxed atmosphere for guests.
There are plenty of things to do away from the 22 poker tables, including a spa, gym, restaurant, bar, cinemas, live music venue, and retail shops.
Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas
Every year, the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino hosts the WSOP Main Event Final Tables in July, which brings thousands of poker fans to the venue to watch the champions of each bracelet event return to battle it out for the highest prize.
It is part of the Caesars Entertainment group and has recently been announced as closing in 2021 to make way for the demolition of the property and the building of The Raiders Palaces, dedicated to NFL legend, Marcus Allen. Before then, there’s 32,000 sq ft of poker tables, low post limbo, and vault shooting gallery side games.
Legal US Poker Apps FAQs
Can I play online poker in the US for real money?
Yes, you can. Only a handful of states currently permit licensed gaming sites, but if you’re in New Jersey, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Delaware, or Michigan, you can access real-money poker games and tournaments online right now. Elsewhere, it’s not legal, but this situation is changing, and more states are expected to join in the next few years.
What is the best site for US online poker?
Our experts have reviewed all the sites, and in our opinion, GGPoker is the best option for players in the USA right now. You can also consider BETMGM, PokerStars, WSOP.com, and BetMonkey. Each has something special to offer, whether that’s strong games, juicy players, valuable bonuses, or links to world-renowned brands.
Is it safe to deposit and withdrawal money from a US poker site?
Absolutely. Licensed and regulated operators use the latest encryption technology to ensure deposits are safe. Payments are also processed quickly and efficiently using trusted banking providers. Additionally, all games are tested to ensure fairness and randomness, giving every player an equal shot at winning.
Can I play online poker in California?
At the time of writing in 2023, there isn’t a firm date for online poker going live in California. However, bills were introduced in January 2022. Partnerships are in place between interested parties, and it does feel like things are moving in the right direction. Our California poker guide is updated regularly.
Does Playtika count as real money poker in the US?
Playtika is a social poker app that allows you to play free games and compete against friends and other players across the globe. You don’t have to spend any money to enjoy the games or win coins and prizes. However, you can purchase coins and chips if you wish to speed up the process.
Why is online poker illegal in some US states?
The 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) made it difficult for sites to accept US players. Many left, but PokerStars stayed and continued accepting customers. When the Department of Justice seized PokerStars funds in 2011, many considered online poker dead in the US.
What is the legal age to play online poker in US?
Like other forms of gambling, you must be 21 years old or older to sign up, verify your account, and play online poker in New Jersey, Nevada, Delaware, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Some workers in licensed casinos may be aged 18-20, but this doesn’t apply to online gaming platforms.
Is PokerStars legal in US?
Yes. After many years of trying, PokerStars was granted a license in the US in 2021. The first site to go live was in Michigan, followed by Pennsylvania. The two sharing scheme brought them into the same network as the New Jersey and Nevada sites to create a strong player base known as the MIRACLE CLUB.
Top Deposit £5 Slots Casino Sites in the UK for 2023What is the legal status of online poker in USA?
State governed gaming sites are legal in New Jersey, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Michigan. This situation is set to expand to include more states, such as , California, Tennessee, and New York in the coming years. Until then, only these six sites are officially legal in the US.
Is US Friendly Online Poker Rigged?
No - all state regulated sites have to undergo rigorous testing to ensure fair games and random results. Third-party agencies like eCOGRA carry out thousands of tests on RNGs (Random Number Generators) to ensure games aren't biased and the outcome is always arbitrary.
