Us poker sites to play online right now (june '23) - pokerlistings

Playing poker online in the USA has never been better. Global Poker, which offers prizes that have monetary value, technically operates as a sweepstakes but also gives you an initial dose of gold coins that have real value. You can then purchase more gold coins in order to buy into tournaments and cash games. 

If you want to play at a site with a traditional set-up, we suggest you head to one of our state-specific guides below to play real money . You’ll just have to confirm your location when you sign up. Once you do that, you’re free to buy into games however you choose. 

Best US Poker Sites 2023

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US Online Poker Laws & Overview

The first thing to know about real money online poker in the US is there are no federal laws that make it illegal for players to use online poker sites. The only law that applies to poker websites operating outside the United States is that the company must not have a base in the United States and no transactions are permitted with an American bank account.

This was made clear by the indictment of the owners of after full-Tilt Poker pros were arrested. Faced with the dilemma of seizing the domain names of the site, which would have put an end to the game in the United States, Preet Bharara —the Manhattan US Attorney— opted to go after the company's servers. Why? Because the company still had offices in Nevada. Once those offices were exposed, the company quickly shut down to reopen without an American presence.

PokerListings recommends the sites above because they are reputable and offer good games and service in your region. We receive compensation from some of the companies listed on this page.

State-by-State Online Poker in the USA

After the passage of , which forced UIGEA into law and effectively ended America’s online poker gold rush, many thought that would be the death knell on state regulation of online poker. But half a decade later, several states have passed their own legislation either authorizing or fully legalizing and regulating online poker and/or casino gaming within their borders.

Some of these states have even joined efforts to share player pools across state lines and thus boost available liquidity and game variety/availability. 

Below is a quick breakdown of current US poker liqudity-sharing agreement:

  • MSA: Mid-Atlantic Gaming Association (Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania & Maryland or WV are all part of this agreement)
  • NSA: Nevada Interactive Gaming Agreement (Nevada + Delaware)
  • MPTR:** Michigan, Pennsylvania, NJ, WV, DE, MD
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[US_CTA]

Play Free or Real Money US Online Poker

Many US poker sites – like the ones recommended above – offer free play options where you don’t have to risk any of your own cash right away. This is great way to get used to the software, rules and poker strategy before you commit to playing real money poker.

Another option for Americans wanting to play poker online for fun is to play at a European poker site, which accept players from the US (from most states). Most of the major European poker sites – such as and – have completely separated their pools from their US operations, so you can access them easily from America.

PokerCat is another great free poker option for US players. Their integrated software allows you to easily challenge your friends to private home games or to play free poker for money on various other poker apps like and .

If you want to play poker games for real money, you’ll need to make a deposit. Check out your cashier options below:

How We Rate US Online Poker Rooms

When looking for the best real money US online poker sites, we take into consideration a wide range of factors. As each state has different regulations, the availability of games and poker online bonus offers will vary depending on which state you are playing from. 

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However, here are some of the key elements that we look out for when rating the best US poker sites:

  • Safe, Licensed and Regulated: We only review and recommend licensed and legal US poker sites. These poker rooms hold licenses in the states they operate in and adhere to local regulations and controls. 
  • Secure Software: We check the quality of the software running the US poker site. That includes the availability of desktop and mobile apps, multi-tabling capabilities and download / instant-play versions of the software. On top of that we analyze the integrity of the RNGs and Random Number Generators that ensure fair and honest gameplay. 
  • Bonuses & Promotions: All top poker sites run promotional offers. In the US those tend to be more related to tournaments, leaderboards and freerolls as regulation doesn’t allow direct incentives for new depositing players. 
  • Traffic Levels: Liquidity sharing agreements have become increasingly popular which has led to a merger of multiple state networks. Still, traffic levels on US poker sites can’t match what PokerStars Worldwide see on a daily basis. Popular games like Texas Hold’em and games in the evenings tend to have more players than tables. 
  • Game Variety: Along with traffic levels in your region, the availability of cash games, MTTs, SNGs and other variates depend on the players using the site. However, you can expect to find , PLO, Omaha, Stud, Boost and other short-handed variations plus Open-Face Chinese and Round of 27 (for H.I.D.). Tournaments come in sit-and-go, knockout and Multi-Day formats.
  • Deposit and Withdrawal Options: We check the payment methods accepted by the room and if they charge any fees for deposits/withdrawals. Processing times vary depending on the method chosen. For full details check out our individual reviews.
  • Customer Support: We assess the support channels offered by the poker room and test how fast and helpful their customer service team are via email and chat. 
  • Experience and Reputation: We consider the reputation of the operator and its past business practices. Have they treated players fairly in borderline situations? Do they support problem gamblers? Do they pay out players when they win?
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Play on the Go with US Mobile Poker Apps

One major benefit of today’s online card rooms is the ability to get your action in wherever you happen to be. If you’re traveling by car or train, waiting in an airport or even aboard a cruise ship (yes, some players stream their play on the high seas), table are available via your smartphone or tablet.

• Claim your (free): no deposit or code required!

Most of the world’s online poker players – including those on the much-larger sites operated by PokerStars outside the United States – aren’t able to access games from America but you can. [ilink url="https://legacy.pokerlistings.com/poker/room/full-toggle/" text="Full Tilt"] is actually the best mobile poker experience in the worldwide market these days and as the lowest-traffic site in the US you can actually see an opponent’s table theme (they recently introduced customizable tables!)

In fact all three of the sites you’ll find on our best US online poker list have solid mobile software for both Android and iOS devices. You can download the apps directly from the sites: noAppStore for PC players!

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Legal US Poker Apps for iPhone/iPad & Android

You can play on any of the following poker apps in state like Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia & Connecticut. Simply follow our exclusive links to create your account and you’ll unlock any special welcome offers or bonuses: 

US Online Casino Games

Aside from poker, some states have also legalized online casino and/or online sports betting. Some of the poker sites mentioned above also integrate online casinos. For example, runs 888 Casino and offers dozens of slots, table games and live dealers games. As of late, has also added live dealer games to its platform.

Check out our state guides below to see what else might be offered in your area:

US Online Poker By Region & Card Room

Online poker in Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware were among the first regulations outside of EU/EEA countries, Mexico and the Latin American countries that Brazil cannot stop coming to the table. And while those first three states were a bit of a letdown due to small population sizes, there’s a whole new wave hitting the Online felt in the US 2018 and beyond will be quite a bit bigger.

California, which was stuck in mud thanks to competing interests groups, finally killed its Zone Poker bill in early 2019 and is now working with other states. In fact, was signed into law in January of 2023 and will create a West Coast MSA with an extension to the East through both and .

Legislation is currently making its way through the various legislative bodies and governors and it appears likely that poker will be legal in PA, MI, NJ, DE and NV/WA by the end of 2023.

Meanwhile, launched in 2021 and has since grown to include several other states including Connecticut, Michigan, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ontario.

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iGaming in New York finally became a reality in January of 2022 and Ohio also went live with online poker and casino games in 2023. Expect more states to follow suit but the battle to legalize online poker in Texas may take a little longer.

Below you’ll find our detailed state-by-state guide to the best US poker sites and where they’re available.

Nevada

Nevada kicked off the “second generation” of online poker legislation in 2013 with a liquidity-share pact and joint website with Delaware. The two states inscribed their first shared liabilities and assets in Delaware Park Racetrack pentagonal building in July 2014 when delawarepark.com and ultimatepoker.com players took seat at the same tables.

WSOP.com quickly followed suit and still leads the way with more than 95% of the market. There have been rumors of PokerStars applying for a license though nothing has materialized yet.

Best Nevada Online Poker Sites 2023

  •  (Best for WSOP.com online satellites).
  •  (World Series of Poker site.).
  •  (Great sign-up bonus.)
  •  (Partner of Bellagio, MGM, VIP poker.)
  •  (Partner of Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood, etc.)
  •  (Partner of ARIA, Mandalay Bay, etc.)
  •  (Partner of Venetian, Palazzo, etc.)
  •  (Partner of Circus Circus, Stratosphere, ETC.)

Learn more about the legal situation and what sites are active in NV in our guide to .

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New Jersey

On Feb 26 2013 New Jersey Governor Chris Christie vetoed the bill to regulate various forms of gambling, including poker. Although he stated that poker is a skill game and should be regulated separately. Shortly afterwards Christie received a letter from Senate President Steven Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Peter J. KIeannuther, who asked the Governor to change his mind or present arguments why he vetoed the bill. Christie answered with a 79-page paper explaining reason for his veto. 

It all kicked off on November 21, 2013, when , becoming the third state (after Nevada and Delaware) to approve online gambling, and the first to also include shared liquidity in the legislation. After months of preparing, the Resorts Casino Hotel entered into an agreement with , Ultimate Gaming exited the market and PokerStars was deemed ineligible (more on that below), ULTRAPEGRASIVECOMPANY (UPC) received the second online gaming license in New Jersey and launched on March 27, 2014 as – in partnership with the Trump Plaza Casino.

As the former Trump Plaza closed down in 2014, the site was rebranded as , first only for poker players but soon after for casino players too. After , the company parted ways with the casino and got a license for themselves. Shortly afterwards they also acquired and connected the two software platforms. As of October 2017, Betfair-operated NJ poker sites are: and .

Things looked hopeful for PokerStars to enter the New Jersey market in 2015 but the application was denied at the very last moment. Despite having a healthy cash game and tournament schedule, plus the biggest name in online poker, Stars’ monopoly on the East Coast kept its smallest rival afloat and PokerStars had to sue the Divison of Gaming Enforcement. A year later the company won the case but the DGE chose to appeal, taking the case all the way to 2017.

Although the appraised the application under a new light, the regulations changed neither hand finally handed her helicopter parent over the controls.

Meanwhile, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement gave PokerStars an interim license and paid out the Balistreri family’s bail bond. As of March 21, 2016 plays are counted in both NJ and CO on one single liquidity structure, with 13:1 exchange rate. First out on the New Jersey side was , soon followed by .

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Today there are four legal NJ poker apps:

  • : Our pick for the best NJ online poker site.
  • : Best for iDEAL payments & Spin & Go's.
  • : Best for casual players & great sign-up bonus.
  • : Best for SNG players and excellent MTT lineup.

Learn more about the regulations and those five sites in our guide to .

Delaware

While DE was the third state to regulate online gambling, they were the first to launch – mainly because they only have three land-based partners for online poker and casino: 3CardPokerDelaware.com is connected to Delaware Park, DEXLPOKPOKER.COM is operated by 888 and BIGGERSPARK.COM is run by Scientific Games.

All three websites merged their player pools in February 2015 but still remain the weakest network in the Liberalization-of-Online-Gambling-Area. 

Best Delaware Online Poker Sites 2023

*Available on desktop and via mobile browser.

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Learn more about the legal situation and those three sites in our guide to .

Pennsylvania

was signed into law in October 2017 and went live the summer after. The first site to launch was , followed by and . 

Best Pennsylvania Online Poker Sites 2023

*Available on desktop and via mobile browser.

Michigan

After years of false starts, Poker Bill H 4926 finally made it through the House and Senate in 2019 and was signed into law by Governor Whitmer on December 20, 2019. Online poker and casino games went live in January of 2021 with the first sites being and .

Best Michigan Online Poker Sites 2023

*Available on desktop and via mobile browser.

West Virginia

After initially passing legislation in March 2019, online poker and gaming finally went live in West Virginia in 2020 with BetMGM, partypoker and WSOP/888 leading the way.

Best West Virginia Online Poker Sites 2023

*Available on desktop and via mobile browser.

Connecticut

After years of back and forth, Connecticut finally legalized online poker and gaming in 2022 and went live on Marc 2022. 

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Best Connecticut Online Poker Sites 2023

*Available on desktop and via mobile browser.

New York

iGaming finally became a reality in New York starting January 2022 with Caesars, Resorts and Scoreboard going live throughout the year.

Ohio

Ohio joined the ranks of state with legal online poker and gaming beginning on January 1, 2023.

California

No bill was introduced in 2023 but assembly members Adam Gray and Sudrigala have said they plan to introduce a new bill in 2024. Stay tuned.

What is the Best US Poker Site for me?

As the US market is still divided into separate states it’s hard to say which state is better than the other but rake on all three is quite similar - around the 10% average with average or slightly above cap. 

The largest community and the most tournaments, both live an online, is definitely in New Jersey where the WSOP circuit and the series itself attract hundreds of players every year. It’s also worth mentioning that WSOP.com in NJ hosts satellite tournaments awarding seats and full packages to the biggest and most prestigious event of the year.

Global Poker is a unique site which technically operates as a sweepstakes but also offers traditional poker room setup. You receive a free initial allotment of Gold Coins and can purchase more coins and Community Cash which can be used to enter tours and cash games. 

CCs are like tickets: accumulate enough of them and you can request a cash payout. CCs also have monetary value and can be used to enter games right away. Global Poker is one of the few sites accepting players from every US state (including Washington) and is a great place to hone your skills without the pressure of playing for actual cash.

Of course, you can connect your CC balance to WSOP.com and BETMOGPOKPOKER.COM, both allowing direct cash transfers from credit cards or popular ewallets and processing all withdrawals in a timely manner.

  • United States takes you to an instant play lobby where you can play for free or with gold chips purchased in the onsite store.
  • Download the Software onto your Mac or PC and play ring games, multi-table tournaments and sitngo's or
  • If you want to play for real money, your best bet is one of the sites operational in New Jersey, Nevada, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia or globally as
  • If you live in Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Louisiana or Washington you can still play global Poker.
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Play on Your Mobile or Tablet

All major US poker providers – including WSOP.com and BetMGM – have decent mobile software for Android and iOS. Global Poker does not (yet?) offer a mobile app but their HTML5 software fits any modern device and OS.

Deposit/Withdrawal Options

Online poker sites in Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Nevada and West Virginia accept Visa, Mastercard, , Cash transfer (for withdrawal only), and . Some operators also accept and PayNearMe (only in NV and NJ).

All major poker sites process cash outs within 24-48 hours once all standard security checks have been completed. You may be asked to send in a photo ID, a copy of your credit card (if you used one) and some other documents, depending on the amount involved.

US Online Poker Bonuses & Promos

Online poker rooms in Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and West Virginia typically start with a Welcome Bonus ranging from 100% up to $500. Players collect reward points every time they play, which can later be redeemed at a rate of 100 points per $1.

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Some sites – like – also offer VIP bonuses based on points earned during the first 30 days after opening an account. Another notable promotion was the CHASE YOUR ACE promo which awarded $1m to any player who won a hand with pocket aces – natural or knocked by an all-in opponent. 

Meanwhile a number of US poker sites - like BetMGM, Barstool and Betway - have shifted to more tournament-style promotions focused on leaderboards, series of events and satellites to major live events in Atlantic City.

History of US Online Poker

The history of US online poker began in 1998 when the first poker robot named “Roberto” hit the internet. Created by Swedish university students, the AI program was quickly improved and sold as “Holdem Manager” - the first poker software allowed.

Around the same time, two graduates from the University of Washington developed a curious programming project called „“ which proved extremely useful for calculating optimal strategies and ranges. When the pair realized they could make money with it, they started selling it - initially from a university campus. 

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Shortly afterwards, in 2000, the two companies teamed up and moved to San Jose where Münchhausen Software rented an office on the top floor. Itternet Poker got an office on the floor below. At the time both ventures were pure labors of love and holding tens of different poker tables wasn’t unusual.

However, everything changed when the founders realized they can make money with poker too and quit their jobs. Soon after, in 2001 and 2002, the first big competitors hit the scene: Paradise Poker, PartyPoker, Stars, Ladbrokes and others. Internet Poker started to rent servers in data centers and even switched to safer .

The company employed extra staff for customer services and finally moved into larger premises - still on the very same street. Around 2003-2004 the industry grew exponentially and it became obvious that something had to change. The cost of customer acquisition rose dramatically while many players started arbing trips, using bonus hunting rings and taking advantage of other flaws in the system.

Black Friday

It reached a point when poker operators simply couldn’t make profit from all the rake they collected. Something had to give and, unfortunately, it was the US market. Since 2006 poker legists in various states have tried to disrupt the flow of funds to poker sites by prosecuting individual players, PokerStars, Full Tilt and the boards of and the .

Despite numerous raids and indictments no one was ever accused of committing a crime – until 2011. On April 15th, 2011 - known as Black Friday - the US Department of Justice seized the domains of FTP and  UltimateBet and accused the three biggest poker operators of money laundering and fraud.

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The next day PokerStars was also blocked from the US and their CEO Paul Leggett was Indicted. It all kicked off on November 21, 2013, when PokerStars, became the first to receive a license in the post-Black Friday era and paid $500 million into an players fund.

As the former owner of the Atlantis Casino chose not to renew the lease on the Ultimate Gaming license, the company parted ways with the casino and got a license themselves. Soon after, in 2014, New Jersey and Delaware amended their legislation to include liquidity sharing, enabling players on both sides to compete for a single prize pool.

NJ, DE, PA, MI, WV & CT

Governor Brian Sandoval of Nevada, Governor Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and other government officials signed into law an agreement that would let their states legally share online poker and casino liquidity. The bill included language based on the Delaware Model, allowing the states to determine which other states they want to share with. New Jersey, Delaware and Nevada all passed the bill, and on May 1, 2018, WSOP.com became the first site to offer a combined player pool across three states, with 888Poker joining soon after.

Meanwhile, the restrictions on intrastate play in Pennsylvania and Michigan meant those sites could not connect to other states and have been operating independently. 

Finally, in early 2023, Connecticut became the sixth state to legalize online gambling and join WSOP/888. Michigan, Pennsylvania and New Jersey followed suit shortly thereafter. More states are expected to follow in the coming years.

Timeline of US Online Poker Legislation

  • 2006: Congress passes the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act as part of the SAFE Port Act.
  • 2011: , Full Tilt and PokerStars expelled from US market.
  • 2013: and become first state to regulate online gambling, with the first sites going live in November. Delaware follows in 2013, New Jersey in 2013, Pennsylvania in 2017, Michigan in 2019 and West Virginia in 2020.
  • 2018: Multi-State Liquidity Agreement approved for NV, NJ, DE
  • 2023: Connecticut joins MSLA, Michigan & Pennsylvania also connect.

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Is Online Poker Legal in the US?

Yes, six states have legalized and regulated online poker and gaming (Connecticut, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware). Other states are currently considering bills. 

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Residents of most other US states can play online poker at international sites like Global Poker and Chumba Casino, both of which offer free gold coins for login and additional purchases that can be exchanged for cash and prizes.

What Are US Poker Players Fund?

As part of the settlement between the Department of Justice and PokerStars in 2016, $50 million of player funds were transferred to the Garden State and allocated to players who were active in the US at the time of Black Friday. Similar funds were established in other states.

Why Was PokerStars Banned in the US?

Following the events of Black Friday, the company was banned from the US market and its management was indirectly accused of various malpractices. In 2016 PokerStars settled with the DoJ and various state attorneys general by paying $73 million in fines and restoring $50 million to US players.

Where Do I Pay Poker Taxes in the US?

Even if net losses, you are only required to pay poker taxes on your winnings. If your total poker winnings exceed $5000 in a calendar year, you must report them to the IRS using Schedule C of Form 1040. Keep track of your receipts and make sure to spread your losses over the relevant tax period.

Can Police Play Online Poker in the US?

There have been a couple cases of police officers and public servants getting into trouble for playing online poker for real money in the United States. In most regulated states, however, police officers and their families are explicitly allowed to play online poker.

Can Active Military Play Online Poker?

Yes, with some restrictions. Members of the armed forces stationed overseas are generally allowed to play although regulations may differ from state to state. It’s always wise to check the specific terms and conditions of each site and consult a military lawyer if necessary.

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US Poker Rooms That Accept PayPal

Currently, online poker players in New Jersey, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Delaware, West Virginia can use PayPal to deposit and withdraw funds from their poker accounts.

Best Legal US Poker Sites

The best official online poker sites in the USA are:

  1. (Excellent mobile app)
  2. WSOP Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania (@888poker NJ)/
  3. BetMGM Poker (Best for Bonuses)
  4. partypoker NJ (@partypoker MI, PA)
  5. (Softest fields)
  6. Betways Poker (@Xbet in PA, MI, WV, VA)
  7. (Best for casual players)
  8. (Best for SNG players)
  9. (-WV)/globalpoker (USA nationwide excl FL,GA,HI,KY,LA,MD,MT,NV,NH,NJ, Wilson, WV, WI, DC)
  • Is online poker in the US safe?

    Yes. The games and software at legal US poker sites are closely monitored to ensure they’re random and fair. Licenses are only granted to operators who meet strict standards in relation to security, player protection and responsible gambling.

  • Can US residents play online poker?

    Yes. Six states (Connecticut, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware) have legalized and regulated online poker. Players in other states can play for free or using sweepstakes models.

  • How do US online poker bonuses work?

    Online poker operators in the US attract new custom by offering lucrative bonuses. Welcomes range from 100% up to $500. Players collect reward points every time they play, which can later be redeemed at a rate of 100 points per $1.

  • Where is online poker legal in the US?

    Online poker and gaming is legal in six states (Connecticut, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware) and several more are in the pipeline. Players in other states can play on international sites like Global Poker and Chumba Casino.

  • Can I play online poker for real money in the US?

    Yes, if you live in or visit Connecticut, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Nevada, New Jersey or Delaware. You can also play free gold coins on the same sites with the chance to win cash prizes.

  • Who regulates US poker sites?

    Each state regulates its own industry. The divisions responsible for licensing online poker sites in the US are: Mississippi Gaming Commission, West Virginia Lottery, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, New Hampshire Department of Justice, Michigan Gaming Control Board, Colorado Division of Gaming, Illinois Gaming Board, Indiana Gaming Commission, Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, Washintgon D.C. Office of Lottery and Gaming, Wisconsin Department of Revenue, New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement and Delaware Lottery.

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