Us Based Poker Sites

If you are based in the USA, and you’ve given thought to playing poker online, then you’ll have been met with a brick wall. Unless you happen to reside in a handful of US states, it’s likely that you will have been told that playing poker online the USA is a no-go.

That’s not entirely true, though. There may be a brick wall blocking your path, but that doesn’t mean that this is the only way to get to your destination.

In fact, many hundreds of thousands of Americans find a way to play poker online each year.

Top US Poker Sites for March 2021

Terms and Conditions apply. Must be +18 to participate.

Legal Online Poker Sites Rise Again. Also in 2011, the DOJ released a legal opinion that the Federal Wire act exclusively applied only to one form of gambling: sports betting. A few states saw this as a possibility, paving the way to regulated online casinos and legal US poker sites. In 2012, Delaware was the first state that managed to do just. NETeller, the largest e-wallet used by US online poker sites, has $55 million in USA-based player funds seized by the United States government. Funds are eventually released back to players several months later, but no future e-wallet servicing US. As a result, several solid choices remain open for American players, with the the 2 largest US poker sites being Ignition Casino (Formerly Bovada) and Americas Cards Room (Winning poker Network).

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The Big Question: Can I Play Online Poker in the USA?

Contents

  • US Poker Laws, Rules and Regulations

Online poker wasn’t always taboo in the USA. In fact, it wasn’t until the passing of the UIGEA in 2006 put paid to the US online gambling industry that poker was effectively illegal. Sure, the Federal Wire Act prohibited bank transfers for gambling enterprises, but by and large, all forms of gambling in the country weren’t declared off-limits until 2006.

Even with those gambling laws, players in the USA continued to gamble at online poker sites. In 2011, though, with the Black Friday Scandal linked to PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and other leading poker rooms (which were found guilty of money laundering, amongst other charges) places to play online poker in the USA have been somewhat limited.

It is a tricky spot to be in, but where does that put your average US online poker today?

US Poker Laws, Rules and Regulations

Fortunately, the US Government decided to dial down the heat on online betting a notch a couple of years ago. They effectively gave each US state the right to decide its own online gambling laws (within reason) and this something that several US states have jumped on.

For instance, players based in New Jersey, and Nevada should have relatively few issues playing poker online, as it is legal in those states – under certain circumstances.

These poker sites have far less traffic than your major international poker domains because there is a smaller pool of players playing there. However, these are fully regulated and legal US poker sites, so, if you’re based in

New Jersey or Nevada (or another state where gambling online is considered legal) this is the ideal way to go.

Of course, not every state has legalised gambling online (most haven’t) so bona fide regulated online poker rooms aren’t going to happen for most Americans. You could always decide to play at an offshore poker room, though.

An offshore poker room ideal for American online poker players can best be described as:

  • A poker room which is based outside of the USA
  • One which openly accepts US players
  • Offers the US dollar currency and the English language
  • Will also offer US support and customer service (often toll-free)
  • Provides American players with payment methods ideal for them

Offshore poker rooms may not be 100% legal in the USA, but in many cases, they are considered regulated and legal sites outside of the country. You are still going to want to do your background checking on an offshore poker room, though, and the first thing you’re going to want to do is to make sure that it is licensed.

Obviously, when compared to UK poker laws, and those in operation in most EU countries, the US poker laws are unduly harsh on players. UK players are, by and large, allowed to play at virtually any poker site (including offshore rooms) with an ample number of UK licensed poker sites out there, too, since online poker is legal in the country.

US Poker Licence Authorities

Firstly, there is no such thing as a “poker license”. What you actually have are gambling licenses. In theory, any major gambling jurisdiction outside of the USA which issues licenses is effectively an offshore casino. Some of the larger offshore licensing jurisdictions include the UK Gambling Commission, Malta and Gibraltar. However, the problem with these licensing jurisdictions is that they know that US players are prohibited, so they seldom offer them to offshore sites focusing on players from the USA.

The licensing jurisdictions of Costa Rica, Panama and Curacao are far less picky. For that reason, many of the poker sites which accept US players tend to be licensed out of these jurisdictions. Make no mistake about it, they are not as well regulated as the European ones, but they are still (by and large) safe and secure places to play poker online.

Not all poker licenses are delivered via offshore licensing jurisdictions. In fact, Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware and other US states which have decided to permit online gambling in some way, shape or form have also decided to issue their own gambling licenses. To that end, it is not uncommon to find poker rooms in those states licensed by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission or Nevada Gaming Control Board. These, as you can imagine, are totally regulated and represent the safest places to play poker online for US players.

US Tax Policy

What Poker Sites Are Legal In The Us

Generally, US states have imposed taxes for any gambling games, even though they vary from one state to the other. Keeping records of all transactions should help you immensely.

Popular Poker Games in the USA

Even though the rules regarding US online poker gaming are much harsher than elsewhere in the world, those US players who do decide to gamble online won’t be any worse off in terms of games.

The licensing and regulated US poker rooms out of New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware have the usual array of games, such as:

  • Texas Hold ‘em
  • Omaha
  • Stud and Draw Poker

If you venture out to offshore poker rooms, you will find an even larger selection of poker variants, although these may be unfamiliar to many US poker players.

The online poker rooms in Nevada do tend to offer tournaments which act as satellites to the WSOP (World Series of Poker) competition. Similarly, a handful of Nevada and Delaware poker sites may also be able to provide you with access to these competitions if you win satellites. However, offshore poker rooms seldom offer this. There are plenty of other Sit & Go tournaments, for you to play, though.

It is more challenging for US players to be able to play live dealer and mobile games than their European counterparts. Most US poker rooms are offshore sites, and thus these seldom offer live dealer software, or mobile gameplay.

However, those poker which are licensed in US states should be able to offer you both live dealer and mobile games without too much hassle.

Have a look at Online Poker America’s US section where you can find listing of poker rooms that you might not find it here.

Online Poker US Promos and Bonuses

There should be no issues in terms of collecting bonuses and promotions when playing at US poker sites. The legal ones tend to offer their own bonuses and promos, and admittedly, these are worth far less in value than at offshore poker sites, but there are still welcome bonuses, rake backs, deposit deals and tournaments for you to enjoy. Keep in mind that if you claim a bonus from an offshore poker room when playing poker in the USA, the bonuses are likely to be vast in size, have considerable wagering requirements, and require a promotional bonus code for you to claim them.

Depositing/Withdrawing Options Available To US Players

Players in the US will experience difficulty deposit and withdrawing at US poker sites. That is unavoidable. Whilst the Federal Wire Act issue no longer ties the hands of banks and payment methods to permit players to deposit at US poker rooms, few major banking providers are prepared to dive into a market which is still, by and large, illegal in most US states.

US players can deposit using credit cards, and a handful of wire transfer options, but e-wallets aren’t really on the cards right now. Withdrawals can be a bit of nightmare, too. Many US poker sites charge hefty fees for withdrawals, and the wire transfer/cheque options just aren’t good enough for speedy withdrawals. However, this is again a problem that players at New Jersey, Nevada or Delaware licensed poker rooms aren’t going to have, There are also some sites offering bitcoins, a popular cryptocurrency which also helps players get round depoist/withdrawal issues.

The Future of Online Poker in the USA

When the walls regarding online gambling came down at a federal level, there was light at the end of the tunnel. To date, Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey have fully legalised online poker rooms which are licensed out of their states, and a handful of other states (particularly on the Eastern seaboard) are considering similar laws.

One of the main reasons they might do this is the tax. There is a significant amount of revenue to be raised from gambling at poker rooms. Operators must be license fees to the state’s gambling commission, the poker rooms and operators must also pay tax on revenue, and then there is the issue of taxable player winnings. This is a considerable cash cow, and many states are not going to want to miss out on a slice of the pie.

The US has tried (and failed) to blockade offshore poker rooms but to no avail. VPNs, proxies and other means of accessing offshore poker sites have proven popular. In a losing battle, if you can’t beat them, joining them seems to be the next logical step. Of course, we’re a long way from seeing online poker legalised in most US states, and there is unlikely to ever be a federal law which permits gambling at online poker rooms. Gradually, though, the wheels of change are turning.

My Final Thoughts

Yes, playing online poker in the US is a challenge, but it is not an impossible one. Provided they are either living in one of the 3 states to offer licensed poker rooms, or they venture out to an offshore poker room, US players shouldn’t have too much difficult finding games and playing poker online. There are countries who have it better, but there are many which make it far more difficult for their nationals to play poker online.

FAQs On US Online Poker You May Like To Know

The UIGEA was a bill passed way back in 2006 that is called the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. This was a questionable bill passed by President Bush and it leaves the law to be interpreted by online poker players. It’s amazing that it took five years for the government to shut down the major United States poker sites after passing this bill. Online poker in the United States has been crushed since Black Friday, but when it rebounds it will do so in a big way.

Absolutely. Whilst online poker as a gambling game is technically illegal in 47 out of the 50 states (this number may be changing), playing for free online is totally legal, and it doesn’t constitute gambling. There are numerous sites which can help you out in this department, too.

There are 9 states in total which are drafting bills or have voted on them. These are Mississippi, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Hawaii, Michigan, Pennsylvania, California and New Hampshire.

Nothing will happen. The US does hunt down operators who offer their services to US players (and does only a so-so job at that) but there are no punishments in store for players betting illegally at poker sites. You may have a spot of trouble when it comes to your winnings, though. If you win a lot and don’t declare it as taxable income, that can cause you problems.

Us poker sites best

In theory, yes. There are somethings worth mentioning here, though. If you make a flying visit to a casino resort in Nevada, you can play poker online, but only at the casino resort’s webpage, and only whilst on the premises. Once you leave, this becomes impossible. If you are going to be visiting Las Vegas, though, why play poker online when there are perfectly good poker tables downstairs for you to enjoy?

You can’t sign up to a standard Nevada or New Jersey poker room just by flying over the border for a night. You need to be able to prove that you reside in the state long-term. So, this is a bit of a yes and no answer, really.

888 Poker is one of the big players in the online poker world.

They have been around for almost 20 years which gives them a stellar trust in my book.

888 Poker is especially suitable for new and amateur players.

Why?

Firstly, because they offer a no deposit bonus of up to $88 – this is unmatched in the industry. T&Cs apply.

Secondly, since they have a reputation for attracting just new and amateur players, it is easier not to lose your money, but rather win some while playing on 888 Poker.

In my 2020 case study of 888 poker I managed to turn $50 into $600, see screenshot below.

Hands: 20,699 Won: $600

888 Poker will offer you state of the art gameplay on practically any device you want to play on (PC, MAC, Android, iPhone, etc.).

The main drawback of 888 Poker is that they are quite strict on which players are allowed to play. US players are for example not allowed, but for you guys, we have Americas Cardroom.

You can now read my in-depth full review of 888 Poker or jump right into the action yourself.

Poker Sites Accepting Us Players

Americas Cardroom is one heck of a cool poker site.

I will tell you why:

Best Poker Site For Americans

This poker site accepts US players playing poker with real money. And, if you are not a USA player, there is nothing to worry about. Americas Cardroom is open for players all over the world with no restrictions.

It has one of the absolute best first deposit bonus systems I’ve ever seen.

You will receive $2 to $6 free real money cash EVERY DAY for 20 consecutive days.

This means that even if you lose all your money the first day, you will receive a steady stream of real money for the next 20 days.

If you enjoy playing on your mobile device, you have great options, on both Android and iPhone through their web app.

Sites

I would say that for new players who can take advantage of the incredibly generous bonus, this is site is your best option.

In my 2020 case study of Americas Cardroom I managed to turn $25 to $430, see screenshot below.

Poker

For more information and thoughts about Americas Cardroom check out my in-depth review or go crazy and play there right now.

Unibet is one of the big poker players out there. They have been around since 1999 and that long history gives them a stellar trust in my book.

Their first player bonus package is really nice and offers you free cash in the form of tournament tickets, in addition to a nice €200 play-through bonus.

Top Poker Sites In Usa

They support players from almost all over the world and you can play on any device, be it on your computer or mobile phone. That way you never miss out on poker when the urge sets in.

Top poker sites in usa

In my 2020 case study of Unibet poker, I managed to turn $50 to $515, by playing 20,707 micro cash hands.

For more information and thoughts about Unibet Poker check out my in-depth review or go crazy and play there right now.

Us Based Poker Sites

Top 50 Best Online Poker Sites

Safest Online Poker Sites For Us Players

#

NAME

HIGHLIGHTS (T&C Apply)

PLAY NOW

1888 Poker
  • $88 free no deposit
  • 100% up to $400 on first deposit
  • Play on any device
  • Plenty of new players
2Americas Cardroom
  • Get 20 days of free cash up to $50
  • 200% bonus up to $1000 on first deposit
  • Lightning-fast withdrawals
  • Accepting players worldwide, including USA
3Unibet Poker
  • €200 playthrough bonus
  • 4 weekly €500 welcome freerolls
  • €20 worth of poker tickets
  • Global trustworthy brand
4GGPoker
  • 200% bonus up to $600 on first deposit
  • $100 freeroll every hour
  • Wide range of game innovations
  • Popular with Asian poker players
5Party Poker
  • Free $30 on your first $20 deposit
  • Play on any device
  • Amazing software
  • Stellar reputation
632Red Poker
  • 200% bonus up to €1,000 on first deposit
  • Tons of amateur players
  • 30% rakeback
  • Unique software
7Winner Poker
  • 200% bonus up to €350 on first deposit
  • 60% bonus up to €300 on second deposit
  • A lot of players online at any time
  • Great software by industry leader
8Vbet Poker
  • Up to 50% rakeback
  • Tons of unique promotions
  • Frequent freeroll tournaments
9Tiger Gaming
  • 100% bonus up to $1,000 on first deposit
  • $10,000 in freerolls
  • Play on any device
  • Free poker odds calculator
10TonyBet Poker
  • 100% bonus up to €2,000 on first deposit
  • Up to 80% rakeback
  • Support all devices
  • Grinderz league 2.0
11Titan Poker
  • 200% bonus up to €1,500 on first deposit
  • New depositors token package worth €12,000
  • Rakeback unlimited
12Betsson Poker
  • 100% bonus up to €2,000 on first deposit
  • Freerolls for new players for 4 consecutive weeks
  • Loyalty program with up to 30% cashback
13Sportsbetting Poker
  • 100% bonus up to $1,000 on first deposit
  • $10,000 in freerolls for new players only
  • Play on any device
  • Free odds calculator
14Pokerstars
  • $30 free play
  • 100% bonus up to $600 on first deposit
  • Quick withdrawals
  • Fully licensed and regulated
15PokerKing
  • 200% bonus up to $1,000 on first deposit
  • Russian players allowed
  • Withdrawals within 48 hours
  • All forms of gambling
16Nordicbet Poker
  • 100% bonus up to €2,000 on first deposit
  • Weekly €1500 new player tournaments
  • Players from the Nordic countries
17Full Tilt Poker
  • $30 free play
  • 100% bonus up to $600 on first deposit
  • Quick withdrawals
  • Same owner as Pokerstars
18bwin Poker
  • 100% bonus up to €100 on first deposit
  • Many new players
  • Reputable brand
19Bovada Poker
  • 100% bonus up to $500 on first deposit
  • Accept USA players
  • Anonymous poker tables
20Bodog Poker
  • 100% bonus up to $1,000 on first deposit
  • Soft games
  • Lots of players online
21Black Chip Poker
  • 200% bonus up to $1,000 on first deposit
  • USA players allowed
  • Withdrawals within 48 hours
  • Lots of tournaments
22Betsafe Poker
  • 100% bonus up to €2,000 on first deposit
  • Exclusive new player tournaments
  • VIP blackgold rewards
23BetOnline Poker
  • 100% bonus up to $1,000 on first deposit
  • USA players allowed
  • $10,000 in freerolls for new players only
  • Play on any device
24BetKings Poker
  • Free $1,000 on first deposit
  • Fish buffet – new player level-based reward program
  • Unique welcome package unlike any other site
25BetFair Poker
  • 200% bonus up to €200 on first deposit
  • €500 in freeroll tickets
  • 35% rakeback
26BestPoker
  • No deposit bonus up to $2,000
  • $1000 freeroll available every hour
  • The largest asia poker network
27William Hill Poker
  • Up to £100 on first deposit
  • Twister discovery pack
  • 10 bonus spins
28bet365 Poker
  • Up to €365 for all new players
  • Well known brand
  • Play on any device
29Betclic Poker
  • Large First Deposit Bonus to New Sign-ups
  • Excellent 10-Level VIP System For All Players
  • Large & Reputable Company Behind It
  • Possibly The Best iPoker Loyalty Program
30Expekt Poker
  • Large First Deposit Bonus to New Sign-ups
  • Excellent 10-Level VIP System For All Players
  • Large & Reputable Company Behind It
  • Possibly The Best iPoker Loyalty Program
31Intertops Poker
  • 200% bonus up to $1,000 on first deposit
  • 24 free casino spins
  • Play in your browser
32RedStar Poker
  • 200% bonus up to $2,000 on first deposit
  • Daily freerolls
  • Fish party
33Ya Poker
  • 200% bonus up to $1,000 on first deposit
  • USA players allowed
  • Withdrawals within 48 hours
  • Lots of tournaments
34PAF Poker
  • €10,000 new player freerolls
  • PAF organized poker cruises
  • Fish party
35True Poker
  • 200% bonus up to $1,000 on first deposit
  • USA players allowed
  • Withdrawals within 48 hours
  • Lots of tournaments
36Sky Poker
  • £10 free in Tournament Tokens
  • Get £40 worth of Tournament Tokens
  • Sky Poker Tour
37Ladbrokes Poker
  • 200% bonus up to £1,200 on first deposit
  • €2,500 weekly points race
  • No download instant play
38Guts Poker
  • €1,000 welcome bonus
  • 30% rakeback
  • Fish party
  • Exclsuive guts poker chase
39Grosvenor Poker
  • £20 in tournament tickets on first deposit
  • Deposit over £100 and get a £1,000 bonus
40Borgata Poker
  • Daily $10,000 tournament
  • Daily tournaments
41Natural 8 Poker
  • 200% bonus up to $1,688 on first deposit
  • Tons of promotions
  • New exciting site
  • Excellent gameplay
42Betcoin Poker
  • 200% bonus up to 1 BTC on first deposit
  • The real crypto poker
  • Many tournaments
43NetBet Poker
  • €20 cash for free
  • 200% bonus up to €1,500
  • VIP club
  • Play on any device
44Coral Poker
  • Deposit $10 and get $10 in tickets and bonuses
  • Deposit $20 and get $30 in tickets and bonuses
  • Daily $1,200 freeroll tournament
  • Coral loyalty cashback
45Global Poker
  • Free $20 gold coin package on account verification
  • Global Poker championships
  • Weekly bonuses
46GreySnow Poker
  • €500 guaranteed Warrior’s Welcome Freeroll
  • Earn Up to 50% Rakeback
47Run It Once
  • 100% bonus up to €600 on first deposit
  • Up to 110% rakeback
48CoinPoker
  • Decentralized Poker Powered by Cryptocurrency
  • 1,000 CHP welcome bonus
49Ignition Poker
  • 200% bonus up to $1,000 on first deposit
  • Exclusively for US players
50Paddy Power
  • 100% Matched Deposit Bonus up to €200 for Poker
  • Up to €25 in free Twister Tokens