Table Of Contents
Are online poker sites legal and safe?
At the moment, there are no regulations governing online casinos in California. That doesn’t mean you can’t play, of course: as with most of the United States, this is considered a grey market, which means that while casino sites aren’t exactly welcome, there are also no laws preventing you, as a player, from signing up and playing at any. Regardless, Nevada is far and away the best state to make a living playing poker. The only issue might be that so many pros have moved there, the competition can be pretty stiff at times. There are more than 90 licensed cardrooms that offer poker in California. They also offer player-banked versions of certain casino card games like blackjack.
Every online poker site featured on our site is licensed and regulated in the U.S. It’s just as safe to deposit and play on these sites as it is to deposit money into a bank. So yes, the sites we list and recommend are as safe as it gets.
On the other hand, as there are many online poker sites that are not legal within the U.S. and are not guaranteed to be safe with your money. There are online poker sites that accept American poker players even though they are not licensed or regulated within the U.S. These sites are operating illegally and are defying the U.S. Department of Justice, and your money is not always secure there.
We will never list such poker sites, but other websites might. If you would like to be 100 percent sure that a poker site is a safe place to deposit money, check to see if it’s on our list of U.S. legal online poker sites.
Which online poker sites allow you to play legal poker online within the US?
The list of legal online poker sites is growing very quickly. Therefore, the best way to answer this question is to point you to our list of legal US online poker sites that have either launched already or will launch soon.
Where can I play legal online poker in the US?
The quick answer: Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware, as of the end of November 2013. Other states may follow suit, but nothing is imminent. Check out our U.S. Online Poker Laws by State for the latest.
Online poker isn't likely to be legalized nationally in the immediate future, but there are plenty of states looking to legalize online poker on their own. Nevada was the first state to make online poker legal, and the first online poker sites are already launching.
Online poker isn't likely to be legalized on a federal level in the immediate future, but there are plenty of states looking to legalize online poker on their own. Nevada was the first state to make online poker legal, and the first online poker sites have already launched. New Jersey and Delaware also both went live in November 2013.
Other states that are seriously considering the legalization of online poker include California, Washington, Pennsylvania, New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Louisiana, Illinois, and Texas.
Do I have to live in a state where online poker is legal to sign up and play?
This is a three-part answer. You can register on these sites from anywhere. You may or may not be able to deposit money from anywhere. Some online poker sites will let you deposit from out of state, while others have disabled the deposit process unless you can also play there. You won't be able to play unless you're present within the borders of the state where the site operates. But you don't have to be a legal resident. It's just like visiting a land-based casino from out of state.
So, you could sign up for a Nevada online poker site while sitting in Texas as a Texas resident, and then you can deposit money and play online poker next time you’re visiting Las Vegas.
How does an online poker site know where I’m playing from?
Online poker sites use a number of methods to verify that you are currently located in a place that it’s legal for you to be playing. Most sites look at your IP address, which gives details regarding where your computer is connecting from. Many sites combine that IP address check with other methods, like triangulation via cell phone towers (they ping your registered cell phone number, and occasionally text you, to ensure that your cell phone is currently in your possession and in a legal state).
How can I learn how to play poker?
This is a tricky question, because everyone’s level of knowledge is different. If you don’t know what beats what, take a look at our easy-to-understand chart of poker hand rankings. If you don’t know the basic game mechanics -- what to do, and when you’re allowed to do it – we've also got a guide to playing Texas hold'em.
If you understand at least those fundamentals, the absolute best way to learn how to play poker is to jump right in and play! Experience is the best teacher, and there are plenty of options for online poker that allow you to play for free or very cheaply — as little as $0.01. (Keep in mind that the minimum deposit is usually $10.)
Once you’re comfortable with the value of hands and the structure of the game, you might want to start looking into more intermediate or advanced strategy. There are plenty of resources available for you to learn poker strategy, including poker books and training videos.
You can also branch out into different poker variants and learn an entirely new poker game! If you’re comfortable and having fun with Texas hold'em, you might want to try Omaha or seven-card stud. There are dozens of different variations of poker being played at casinos throughout the U.S.
How is online poker different from live poker?
Because the act of shuffling, handling chips and dealing takes time, online poker is a much faster game than live poker. In fact, though there are usually no time limits on decisions in live poker (though someone can call a staff member if you're too slow), in online poker, every decision has a time limit. It may take some time to get used to the pace of a typical online poker session.
How do online poker sites make money?
Online poker sites stay in business by collecting two things. The first is a fee from each hand played, called the rake. The second is a flat fee added on to each entry into a tournament, called the tournament fee. Check each online site carefully for the current rake and fee amounts.
How can I deposit money onto a legal online poker site?
This question varies depending upon both the state and the online poker site. Most sites will allow deposits in some or all of the following ways:
- Electronic check / ACH
- Bank wire
- Major Credit Cards (if allowed, this often is considered a cash advance, and may incur an additional fee from the credit-card company)
- Mailed check
- In person cash deposit (many online poker sites are owned by companies that also own brick-and-mortar casinos)
How do I withdraw money or collect my winnings from an online poker site?
The most common method for withdrawing winnings from an online poker site (cashing out) is via a mailed check. Most online poker sites will send you a check for your winnings to your registered mailing address. Some sites offer additional cashout methods. For instance, if an online poker site has a land-based casino counterpart, it often is possible to cash out and then simply pick up your winnings from the casino’s cashier cage.
Where can I find out about the latest online poker promotions?
By signing up to an online poker site through Poker Atlas, you can gain numerous bonuses that will help you get ahead at the tables. To find out about the latest deals we offer, take a look at Overlay, by Poker Atlas.
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This is a guide for online poker players in the America who want to know where they can play online poker and when they might be able to play in their home states. For states where online poker is legal, this is a guide for US online poker room reviews, poker sites available in your area, deposit bonuses, and online poker announcements.
US online poker laws seem to be changing monthly since government attorneys announced that the Wire Act cannot be used to prohibit states from allowing online poker. Online poker rooms and online gambling sites are clamoring for state licenses, and the US online gambling landscape is going through a major change.
For a select few Americans, online poker is here already. Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware are leading the United States into the billion-dollar-a-year industry, and many more states are looking to get into the game in the very near future.
By the end of 2015, as many as a dozen states could allow their residents to play on legal online poker sites. That number may be higher if a federal bill, the Internet Poker Freedom Act of 2013, is approved in 2014. But since the odds of that happening are less than hitting a one-outer on the river, all the online poker news concerning legislation is coming from individual states.
American online poker laws are about to go through drastic revision, and US online poker sites will pop up as the laws change. Laws are changing fast, and this guide promises to remain up to date on all possible movements concerning online poker legislation.
A brief overview of each state’s stance on online poker is below, but click through for a full update on the state’s online poker laws, and gambling laws in the state in general.
Alabama
Alabama doesn’t even have a state lottery. It’s home to some of the most morally strict policymakers in the country, so poker is not coming anytime soon. Read more ...
Alaska
Online poker legislation remains frigid in the great white north, but the game has a few fans who are elected officials, and although lawmakers resisted expanding almost any type of gambling in here, online poker has a chance. Read more ...
Arizona
Despite a thriving Indian casino industry — or more like because of it — lawmakers are being cautious with online poker. Also, the governor is a tough opponent of any type of gambling expansion, poker included. Read more ...
Arkansas
Online poker legislation may be far off, but unlike some of its neighboring states, online poker may come to Arkansas with a federal push. Read more ...
California
Online poker will come to California maybe as soon as 2014. A crowded industry split into three factions may delay action on online poker bills already submitted. Read more ...
Colorado
With a steady and strong push from its significant casino industry, online poker legislation is most likely forthcoming in Colorado sometime in 2015. The state is already studying the effects online poker would have. Read more ...
Connecticut
As its neighboring states start to allow their residents access to online poker sites, look for Connecticut to follow suit. As such a small state, it’s a prime candidate to contract with other states for shared player pools. Read more ...
Delaware
As of October 2013, online poker is completely legal, regulated, and live in Delaware. Read more ...
Florida
Two powerful casino forces — the racinos and Indian tribes — face off against a conservative state government intent on preventing gambling expansion. The governor has won the first round. Read more ...
Georgia
The official view toward poker here is as rigid as a Georgia pine. Poker is gambling, and gambling is bad in Georgia. Read more ...
Hawaii
Although one of the few states without any form of legalized gambling, Hawaii is rumored to be looking to get into the online-poker game. Read more ...
Idaho
Completely in the middle ground, there is no pending online poker legislation in Idaho. A grassroots effort would help here. Read more ...
Illinois
Online poker is being talked about by state officials. look for an online poker bill sometime in 2015. Read more ...
Indiana
With a conservative governor and minor casino industry, it’s going to take a political campaign by its online poker players to move online poker forward. Read more ...
Iowa
Since 2011, certain lawmakers have pushed for online poker legalization. Now with states going live, watch for Iowa to join the game in 2014 or 2015. Read more ...
Kansas
A significant political shift is necessary for online poker to even be considered in the Sunflower State. Read more ...
Kentucky
Now that the powerful horseracing industry has wedged itself into the multi-state casino industry, watch for online poker legislation to move fast once more states go live. Read more ...
Louisiana
An online poker debate should come to Louisiana in 2014, with significant movement in 2015. Online poker does face some opposition here. Read more ...
Maine
Brand new to the casino game, and with such a pretty face, Maine would make a lovely interstate online poker partner. However, it remains a wallflower. Read more ...
Maryland
With a healthy paranoia that it is missing out on the online poker industry, lawmakers began to push for it in 2013. Look for another push in 2014 and beyond. Read more ...
Massachusetts
Cautiously optimistic is how online poker players in Beantown should feel. Online poker won’t come there as quickly as it should, but it’s likely coming at some point. Read more ...
Michigan
A large casino industry will fuel the push toward online poker. State lawmakers seem to be wary, though. Read more ...
Minnesota
With a strong casino industry, it would seem Minnesota would be further along with online poker legalization than it is. It may catch up soon. Read more ...
Mississippi
An online-gambling bill failed to make it out of committee in 2013, but a multi-billion dollar casino industry will have a say. Read more ...
Missouri
Another state with a significant casino industry, but with no real movement toward online poker or gambling legalization. It will join the game sooner rather than later. Read more ...
Montana
Poker is considered gambling here, and online gambling was outlawed in the state in 2005. With no pending legislation, it may be awhile. Read more ...
Nebraska
Poker-playing multi-billionaire hedge-fund manager Warren Buffett lives here and he hates the thought of online gambling. Poker is sadly included in his categorization. Read more ...
Nevada
Online poker is legal in Nevada, and several rooms are live for real-money play. Read more ...
New Hampshire
For such a small state, New Hampshire has more online poker players per capita than anyone else. Still, there’s no pending legislation. Read more ...
New Jersey
Online poker and gambling is legal in New Jersey. Online poker will be available in November 2013. Read more ...
New Mexico
New Mexico's 20 Indian casinos will have a say in the legislation of online poker here. Tribes have threatened to stop payments to the state if it legalizes online gambling. Read more ...
New York
New York may very well be the fourth state to legalize online poker in 2014. It has the support of the governor, as well as many lawmakers. Read more ...
North Carolina
No real online poker push is coming from North Carolina. Check back once other states start to go live. Read more ...
North Dakota
This was once the first state to try to legalize online poker in 2005; the feds put an end to that. Online poker legalization is on the backburner. Read more ...
Ohio
A state late to the casino game, online poker legalization has a real chance in 2015 or 2016, particularly if Pennsylvania beats Ohio to the market. Read more ...
Oklahoma
This state allows tribes to operate online poker rooms, with one major caveat: They can only do business with people living in other countries. What a rub. Oklahomans will have online poker sooner rather than later. Read more ...
Oregon
Once California begins to offer online poker, watch for Oregon’s Indian casinos to begin applying pressure to lawmakers. They have shown to be a savvy lobbying group. Read more ...
Pennsylvania
With one scrapped bill that would have legalized online poker and gambling, be sure another will come in 2014. Although facing resistance in committee, online poker should be here by 2016. Read more ...
Rhode Island
A prime candidate to partner with Delaware. Industry insiders say a contract is in the works. Read more ...
South Carolina
The online-poker industry faces major resistance here. Any talks of gambling expansion are immediately quashed. Read more ...
South Dakota
Online poker isn’t on the lips of any lawmakers here. But with a strong Indian casino industry, look for that to change in 2014. Read more ...
Tennessee
A strong religious base makes it difficult to move online poker legislation anywhere. Like, harder than shoving a mule through keyhole. Read more ...
Texas
Home of the congressman behind the Internet Poker Freedom Act of 2013, several bills that affect poker, online and otherwise, currently reside in committees. Texas looks like it wants to finally acknowledge the game. Read more ...
Utah
Online poker players in Utah at least have Nevada just over the border. Other than that, Utah is a desert for online poker players. Read more ...
Vermont
The tiny state may be game to contract with Delaware, New Jersey, and/or Nevada and allow its residents access to online poker sites. Once more states allow online poker, watch for Vermont to follow. Read more ...
Virginia
Online poker players must hope for political change statewide in order to eventually access online poker sites. It has a law on the books that outlaws Internet gambling. Read more ...
Washington, D.C.
Online poker was set to come to its citizens in 2013, but politics played its part and it was delayed. Online poker will definitely come to D.C. eventually. Read more ...
Washington
The only state that criminalizes the online poker player, a grassroots movement stemming from that law is growing. Plus, Indian casinos are now in favor of legalization. Read more ...
West Virginia
State officials are most likely looking to contract with other states, probably Delaware. It may happen as soon as 2014. Read more ...
Wisconsin
The Indian casinos have yet to show their hand as to where they stand on online poker. There is no legislative chatter concerning online poker rooms. Read more ...
Wyoming
Lawmakers here are resistant to any form or gambling expansion, including online poker. If recent history is correct, online poker has a tough fight here. Read more ...
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