Go All In! Online Poker State by State 2024

Which are the states that allow online poker gambling?

Thanks to the complexity of US gambling laws, playing online poker is only permitted in a handful of states at the present time. But more and more states are expressing an interest, so we suggest checking back regularly to see whether any more states have joined the poker party!

At the time of writing, states that allow online poker are Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Early in 2021 West Virginia also legalized online poker, with more states certain to follow suit. However, many states with online gambling don’t authorize legal online poker, but only Washington actively forbids the activity, so players are still able to access offshore poker sites from other states if they so choose.

Check out if your state allows online poker!

The legal history of online poker in the USA

Online poker may be a relatively recent development, but poker itself has a tradition going back literally hundreds of years. It’s believed to have originated in either China or the Middle East, before making its way across to Europe. The French adapted the card game, calling it ‘Poque’, bringing it with them when the earliest French colonists arrived in North America. They settled in and around the area that became known as New Orleans, where the name was anglicized to become Poker.

Variations of the game were soon attracting even more players, as the idea of poker became widespread throughout the US. And gradually new variants of the game were introduced, including the 7-card stud, the 5-card draw, and, of course, the popular Texas Hold’em.

Poker became so popular that it was no surprise so many people flocked to play online games once they went live in the late 1990s. As soon as the first online poker sites were launched, they were inundated with fans from across every state, all keen to make the most of this new type of gameplay.

The changing legal situation for online poker states

But it was the incredible victory of Chris Moneymaker in the 2003 World Poker Series that really caused an explosion in the market, with players scrambling to join in with the action. Inevitably, this led to a corresponding increase in unregulated websites, and this was something that the authorities simply wouldn’t permit to continue.

On the back of this surge of popularity for online poker, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 – often referred to as the UIGEA – was passed by Congress, which resulted in the closure of a huge number of poker sites. Black Friday, as it became known, occurred on April 15th in 2011, when the authorities decided to strictly enforce the terms of the UIGEA, making it almost impossible for keen poker fans to legally access the game online from within the US.

But as we already know, the decision as to whether or not online gambling is legal is decided on a state-by-state basis. At present, not all states with online casinos allow online poker games. However, number of states with online poker is steadily increasing, meaning more and more players are finding it easier than ever to access their favorite games online.

Editor’s recommendation: the best online poker operator for US players

Our experts are always on the lookout for the best online gambling opportunities for our site visitors, but remember that gambling state laws vary and also apply when it comes to playing online poker. But as we’ve already discussed, there are currently only a few states with legal online poker – even though we anticipate a lot more coming on board eventually.

The states that allow online poker sites to legally operate are New Jersey, Delaware, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and now West Virginia, all of which offer dedicated websites for poker players. But what about the people who aren’t fortunate enough to have an online poker site accessible to them? Of course, it’s still possible to play at unregulated offshore sites, but that can be a risky business, unless you do a ton of research beforehand, to make sure you’re not going to get ripped off and don’t forget that for all gambling winnings state taxes are still payable..

But as always, we’re here with help and advice. And we’ve picked out a great deal from Borgata that’s sure to please the poker fans. This is a tried and trusted online casino, offering a whole host of fun and entertaining games, including all the usual casino favorites. You’ll find plenty of table games to bet on, including Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Casino Hold’em, 3-card Poker, 4-card Poker, and much, much more. And to top it all off there’s an incredibly generous bonus offer to get your gaming session off to a flying start!

Five top tips for a secure and fair online gambling experience in the USA

You’ve arrived at this page because you’re searching for the states with legal online poker games, but we don’t just send you on your way with a casino review and a nice bonus to get you started. We want everyone to have a safe and fair gambling experience when playing online poker, so we’ve got lots of useful information to help you on your way. And we’re starting with these five tips to ensure you keep safe.

What do we look for when evaluating online poker operators for USA residents?

For all the states with legal online poker operators, we undertake thorough reviews, leaving absolutely no stone unturned in our mission to bring you the unvarnished truth. We shine a bright light across every single aspect of each operator, to make sure you know exactly what to expect when you sign up. So if you happen to live in one of the legal online poker states, here’s what you can expect to discover from our reviews.

Pros and Cons

We’ll tell you the positive aspects of every site reviewed, as well as the not-so-positive news you need to know about.

Usability, look, and feel

Just because you’re lucky enough to reside in one of the states that allow online poker sites to legally operate, it doesn’t necessarily follow that you’re an expert at finding your way around a poker site. Intuitive navigation, clear controls, and an inviting theme are all important considerations – and ones that we take fully into account when preparing our reviews.

Payment methods

Players in online poker states want to get straight down to playing, so easy deposits and withdrawals are a must. Some banks and financial institutions can be difficult when it comes to making gambling deposits, so we aim to clarify the process. We’ll let you know which payment and withdrawal options each operator accepts, so you’ll know from the start what your options are.

Licenses and security

We’ve already mentioned that not all industry regulators have the same high standards, but our expert reviewers know which ones to look out for. We check to make sure each operator featured on our site has state-of-the-art encryption enabled too, and that client funds are kept in a separate, secure account.

Rewards and bonuses

Sign up to a new online casino operator and you can expect a tempting bonus offer to get you started, even if you’re not lucky enough to live in one of the current online poker states. But most bonuses have a raft of terms and conditions attached, which we help to unravel for you. We explain the wagering conditions, the length of time you have to use your offer, and how many times the bonus must be played through before it can be withdrawn.

The types of games on offer

We’re all poker fans on this page, but even we have to admit that there’s more to online gambling than just poker games. We give you a complete overview of the games that each operator has to offer, so you know exactly what to expect. We’ll let you know the types and varieties of games on offer, so if you’re a slots player, for example, or you like an occasional bet on the Roulette wheel, you’ll know what your options are ahead of time.

Take a look at our top online casinos

Finding your perfect online poker operator

As we see a rise in the number of states with online poker sites legally operating, you’ll find your options steadily increasing. But it would be a big mistake to sign yourself up to the very first one you come across, as there’s a chance it won’t be the perfect fit for your playing style and your bankroll. We suggest taking a good look at what you’re after by way of your online poker playing experience, so that you can make the right choices from the start.

For example, you might be something of a night owl when it comes to poker playing, in which case you’re going to need 24-hour customer support. Or you may be aiming to play with a modest budget, which would require an operator with low wagering options. The more you can pin down your playing style and the sort of gambling experience you’ll enjoy, the likelier it is that you’ll make the right decision when choosing an online poker operator.

Conclusion – make the most of playing at states with online poker sites

Now we’ve shown you the states with online poker operators, you’re ready to start your online poker journey. And as always, we’re here to help and guide you, whenever you need some reassurance or assistance. The number of states with online poker sites is increasing all the time, so we suggest checking back regularly to find out what new developments are underway.

And if you’re not lucky enough to live in one of the current legal online poker states, don’t be disheartened! Every state is free to make its own legislation, and there’s an increasing demand from poker players for more chances to play online. Until then, it’s still possible to find offshore sites that will allow you to play – just be sure to take on board our advice for staying safe when playing poker online.

Here are our best casino bonuses

States with legal online poker FAQ