Editor
Check out the best online poker sites in the USA and learn about their traffic figures, level of competition, provided bonuses, rakeback deals, banking methods, and much more.
Our detailed guide covers everything so that you can start playing online poker for real money in the US today.
Top Online Poker Sites in the United States
| No 1 Poker Site |
CoinPoker |
150% Welcome Bonus up to $2,000 BONUS CODE: PSCOUT |
150% Welcome Bonus up to $2,000 BONUS CODE: PSCOUT
|
Cash Games
Fixed Limit
Jackpot Poker
MTT
+ 3 more
|
PLAY NOW |
$10 minimum deposit. Bonus is released in installments of 10% when minimum rake requirements are met (twice the bonus amount in rake). For new players and first deposits only. $10 minimum deposit. Bonus is released in installments of 10% when minimum rake requirements are met (twice the bonus amount in rake). For new players and first deposits only. |
|
| Bad Beat Jackpot 2.0 |
BetOnline |
100% UP TO $1,000 + 21 Satellite Tickets With code: POKER1000 |
100% UP TO $1,000 + 21 Satellite Tickets With code: POKER1000
|
Cash Games
Fast Fold Poker
Jackpot Poker
MTT
+ 5 more
|
PLAY NOW |
Minimum $50 deposit is required for the welcome bonus. 30-day time limit to earn welcome bonus cash. Minimum $50 deposit is required for the welcome bonus. 30-day time limit to earn welcome bonus cash. |
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| Play Zone Poker |
Bovada |
100% up to $500 |
100% up to $500
|
Anon. Tables
Cash Games
Fast Fold Poker
Fixed Limit
+ 5 more
|
PLAY NOW |
Bonus released in $5 increments for every 150 Reward Points. 30-day time limit to earn bonus cash. Bonus released in $5 increments for every 150 Reward Points. 30-day time limit to earn bonus cash. |
|
| Play Hi-Lo Stud |
Americas Card Room |
100% up to $2,000 |
100% up to $2,000
|
7 Card Stud
Cash Games
Fast Fold Poker
Fixed Limit
+ 7 more
|
PLAY NOW |
Bonus released in $5 increments for every 27.5 Award Points generated. For new players and first deposits only. Bonus released in $5 increments for every 27.5 Award Points generated. For new players and first deposits only. |
|
| WSOP Qualifiers |
Black Chip Poker |
100% up to $2,000 Welcome Offer |
100% up to $2,000 Welcome Offer
|
7 Card Stud
Cash Games
Fast Fold Poker
Fixed Limit
+ 5 more
|
PLAY NOW |
$25 minimum deposit. $1 of bonus funds is converted to cash for every 27.5 Benefit Points earned. For new players and first deposits only. $25 minimum deposit. $1 of bonus funds is converted to cash for every 27.5 Benefit Points earned. For new players and first deposits only. |
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| 36% Rakeback |
Juicy Stakes |
200% Up To $1,000 |
200% Up To $1,000
|
PLAY NOW |
$5 of bonus released for every 83.335 Frequent Player Points earned. 90 days to meet bonus requirements and redeem full amount. $5 of bonus released for every 83.335 Frequent Player Points earned. 90 days to meet bonus requirements and redeem full amount. |
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| Jackpot SNG |
Ignition |
150% up to $1,500 Poker Bonus |
150% up to $1,500 Poker Bonus
|
Anon. Tables
Cash Games
Fast Fold Poker
Fixed Limit
+ 6 more
|
PLAY NOW |
Poker bonus unlocked at rate of $1 for every 30 Ignition Miles earned. 30 days to earn miles and redeem full bonus amount. No rollover on poker bonuses. Poker bonus unlocked at rate of $1 for every 30 Ignition Miles earned. 30 days to earn miles and redeem full bonus amount. No rollover on poker bonuses. |
|
| Fast Fortune Jackpots |
Everygame |
200% up to $1,000 + 25 FREE Casino Spins |
200% up to $1,000 + 25 FREE Casino Spins
|
Cash Games
Fast Fold Poker
Fixed Limit
Jackpot Poker
+ 8 more
|
PLAY NOW |
$5 bonus credit released for every 83.335 Frequent Player Points earned. 90 days to fufill bonus requirements and redeem full amount. Welcome offer can be stacked with other deposit offers. $5 bonus credit released for every 83.335 Frequent Player Points earned. 90 days to fufill bonus requirements and redeem full amount. Welcome offer can be stacked with other deposit offers. |
|
Betcoin |
100% 1st Deposit Bonus - 3x Play-To, No Rollover |
100% 1st Deposit Bonus - 3x Play-To, No Rollover
|
PLAY NOW |
|
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| Windfall Jackpots |
Sportsbetting.ag |
100% UP TO $1,000 + 21 Satellite Tickets code: NEWSB |
100% UP TO $1,000 + 21 Satellite Tickets code: NEWSB
|
PLAY NOW |
|
US Poker Sites Ranked by Traffic
| Brand | Players Online | Cash Players | 24 H Peak | 7 Day avg | Last Week | Play Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 PokerStars | 55,540 | 3,482 | 3,872 | 2,100 | ||
2 IDNPoker | 5,375 | 1,387 | 2,459 | 1,450 | ||
3 iPoker | 7,046 | 2,456 | 2,508 | 1,350 | ||
4 PaiWangLuo (Bodog) | 0 | 0 | 1,500 | 800 | - | |
5 Pokerdom | 3,982 | 952 | 1,108 | 600 | ||
6 PartyPoker | 0 | 974 | 1,090 | 500 | - | |
7 Unibet | 0 | 0 | 750 | 400 | - | |
8 Chico Poker | 1,967 | 421 | 638 | 400 | ||
9 PokerKlas | 0 | 0 | 515 | 280 | - | |
10 Stretch | 947 | 172 | 325 | 100 | ||
11 SkyPoker | 0 | 0 | 220 | 100 | - | |
12 PokerMatch | 494 | 109 | 134 | 60 | ||
13 Europebet | 244 | 50 | 84 | 35 | ||
14 SwC Poker | 165 | 20 | 45 | 22 | ||
15 MobilePokerClub | 0 | 0 | 55 | 20 | - | |
16 Adjarabet | 0 | 0 | 25 | 10 | - | |
17 Merge Gaming | 0 | 0 | 20 | 10 | - | |
18 Silver Sands | 0 | 0 | 20 | 5 | - | |
19 Aconcagua Poker | 2 | 0 | - | - | ||
20 Betcoin Poker | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | |
21 Blockchain Poker | 66 | 0 | - | - | ||
22 Cubeia | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | |
23 First Fidelity | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | |
24 GamblerGames | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | |
25 Grand Poker | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | |
26 NoLimitCoin Poker | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | |
27 PokerMIRA | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | |
28 Pokio | 3,039 | 0 | - | - | ||
29 Wwin | 0 | 0 | - | - | - |
4 of the Top US Poker Sites Reviewed
There are various aspects that go into providing a premium online poker experience. From the traffic and the welcome bonus, to the tournament schedule and the competition level, we carefully analyze everything so that you can have the full picture before joining. Learn more from the following reviews.
CoinPoker - Best for Crypto
CoinPoker is quickly becoming the go-to poker site for crypto players. Co-owned by poker legend Tony G, the lobby is packed with everything from freerolls to nosebleed stakes, attracting famous cash game players like Nik Airball. CoinPoker has introduced some major series with eye-catching guarantees, and also allows you to cash out pretty much instantly.
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Huge 33% rakeback for all players
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High-stakes cash games with well-known poker pros
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Instant withdrawals using crypto
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Plenty of freerolls and $0.01/$0.02 tables
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No games outside of Hold’em and Omaha
-
No iOS mobile app for now
Our Verdict
CoinPoker is the perfect site for crypto poker players. It’s bringing something entirely new to the space and is constantly adding new features both on and off the felt, including plenty of big hand recaps and live commentary on major events which have fans purring.
Bonuses
When you first sign up to CoinPoker, you can claim a 150% welcome bonus worth up to $2,000. To unlock your bonus, you’ll need to play any cash game or tourney. You’ll receive it in 10% chunks. Meanwhile, existing players will find around half a dozen more poker bonuses in the ‘Promotions’ section.
| Bonus Name | Bonus Amount | Min Deposit | Max Withdrawal | Bonus Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome Bonus | $2,000 | $10 | N/A |
PSCOUT
|
ACR - Best for Tournaments
Black Chip - Best for Fixed Rate Rakeback
Ignition - Best for Anonymity
Best USA Online Poker Sites for Beginners
If you are new to poker in the United States, choosing one site to join can be a difficult task. With many of the best online poker sites trying to catch your attention, you can’t always know which platforms are right for you.
To make this process as easy as it can be, we have the perfect recommendation if you just want to start playing right now – Ignition Poker.
Ignition is very welcoming for beginners because it is easy to access, offers weekly freerolls, and focuses on anonymous play. As a result, you can join the action within a couple of minutes and even benefit from a welcome bonus on your first deposit.
The soft competition and high traffic numbers make sure that you have plenty of tables at stakes starting from just $0.02/$0.05. These are some of the lowest stakes for cash games across all poker sites for real money in the US.
Honorable mention: Another highly recommended US poker site for beginners is CoinPoker. While it doesn’t have anonymous tables, it has very soft games, especially at low stakes. Plus, it has micro series of tournaments if you want to try your hand at some events for cheap.
Best US-Friendly Online Poker Sites for Intermediate Players
If you already know how to play poker online and want to further sharpen your skills, you might be interested in other aspects of a site than a beginner. This section is all about the middle of the pack.
It can be hard to find the perfect balance that makes an poker room perfect for intermediate players in the US. Luckily, we did all the research so that the answer is simple – CoinPoker.
CoinPoker is one of the US poker sites that gets solid traffic throughout the week. And it doesn’t restrict more experienced players with anonymous tables or random seating. You can join any table with an open seat, take notes on your opponents, and take your games to the next level.
Moreover, it has a rewarding rakeback system, a massive welcome bonus, and weekly leaderboard competitions with real prizes. Combined with the fact that you can register and deposit anonymously with crypto from anywhere in the United States, the general online poker player field is very soft. You can go over $1/$2 on cash tables and still find easy games.
Honorable mention: ACR Poker checks most boxes in this category as well and ranks above most other online poker sites for US players. It has a mix of cash games and tournaments for mid stakes that is hard to beat. Plus, its tournament offering provides loads of opportunities every week.
Best Online Poker Sites for Advanced Players in the USA
High-level online poker games are quite different as every opponent is very experienced and always paying attention. Plus, there is usually more money on the line, which can add another stressful element to the already difficult table.
If you are looking for an online poker site available in the USA and with high-stakes action, you have to play here.
It’s the home of Tony G and other professional poker players. In fact, Tony G even set a record with a pot worth over $7.7 million while playing PLO at $1,000/$2,000 stakes at CoinPoker in 2022.
Even at lower stakes, the US-friendly online poker room has a solid offering for serious players. We also found that the 33% rakeback is very useful for frequent play at high stakes and the increased tournament series offer bigger real money prize pools than on other sites.
Honorable mention: We have to mention ACR for serious online poker players in the US given that it often hosts big names on its tables, including Tom Dwan, Chris Moneymaker, Katie Lindsay, and more. No Limit Hold’em cash games at $100/$200 are very common here.
Best Online Poker Sites for Cash Games in the US
Online poker cash games are often the main attraction on a platform and it is also how we check traffic figures. This is because these are the purest form of the game, giving players the freedom to join and leave at any time.
As for the best USA online poker site for cash games, we have to give it to Black Chip Poker.
The site has a rich variety of games that caters to the whole community for online poker at real money stakes throughout the USA. While Texas Hold’em is the most popular pick, Omaha and Omaha H/L are also covered very well. You can also find cash tables for Omaha 5 and for Seven Card Stud.
Moreover, Black Chip ranks above other US friendly poker sites when it comes to banking, making it easy to deposit through a variety of traditional payment methods and major cryptocurrencies. You can easily deposit, learn how to play poker cash games, and win from anywhere in the nation.
Honorable mention: Bovada Poker is another top site for real money poker cash games in the United States that caters more for recreational players. It has stakes starting from $0.02/$0.05 and the quick seating feature makes it easy to join the action at any time. Plus, the mobile interface is clean and supports multi-tabling for players in the US interested in online poker.
Best Online Poker Sites for Tournaments in the US
If you are more interested in online poker tournaments than in cash games, you will find a very busy schedule at all of the USA-centered online poker rooms covered on this page. However, we believe that the best site for tournaments is ACR Poker.
It has a great tournament offering with guaranteed prize pools and buy-ins for every bankroll. This US poker site is the home of the renowned Venom Tournament that set a record prize pool of $12.5 million in 2024. You can even qualify for live events through the online poker site and thus take your virtual skills to the real felt.
Honorable mention: Juicy Stakes is known for hosting exclusive tournament series throughout the year. Its soft player pool makes it one of the more relaxing online poker rooms in the USA for guaranteed tournament prize pools.
Best US Poker Sites for Bonuses, Rakeback, and Promotions
One of the advantages to playing poker online for real money in the USA is that you can benefit from various bonuses and rewards. These help boost your balance in one way or another and thus give you a bigger bankroll to work with.
But, what legal US poker sites have the best bonuses? The top recommendation goes to CoinPoker.
First of all, it has a bigger welcome bonus than some of the other online poker sites for real money in the US. You can claim a big boost based on the first deposit and the terms make it fairly easy to release the amount as you are playing.
Secondly, you can benefit from 33% rakeback and you just need to have CHP, the exclusive cryptocurrency on the platform. The 33% rakeback is higher than what other US friendly poker sites offer.
And thirdly, there are daily cash game leaderboards for Hold’em and Omaha, monthly tournament leaderboards that award $15,000, and other special promotions added on top that keep the rewards coming in simply by being active.
Honorable mention: Ignition Poker USA has some great bonuses and promotions that reward real money players. The welcome bonus also includes a match for the casino section, there are $2,500 in poker freerolls every week, and you earn comp points within the exclusive Ignition Rewards program that you can use to buy tournament tickets.
Comparing the Best Online Poker Rooms in the United States
To help you find the best online poker sites that have real money games and accept American players, check out the following tables and compare the top brands in an instant. See what bonuses they offer, what games are available, and much more.
| US Poker Site | Welcome Bonus | Rakeback | Poker Games | Tournaments | Fast Fold Poker |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoinPoker | 150% up to $2,000 | 33% | Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha H/L, Omaha 5 | MTT, SNG, PKO, Cosmic Spins, Satellites, Live Tournament Buy-in | N/A |
| BetOnline | 100% up to $2,000 | - | Texas Hold’em, Omaha, PLO5, PLO6, Open Face Chinese Poker | MTT, SNG, Jackpots, Satellites | Boost Poker |
| Bovada Poker | 100% up to $500 | Loyalty Program | Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha H/L | MTT, SNG, PKO, Jackpot, Mystery Knockouts, Satellites | Zone Poker |
| ACR Poker | 100% up to $2,000 | 27% | Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha H/L, Omaha 5, Seven Card Stud | MTT, SNG, PKO, Jackpots, Satellites, Live Qualifiers | Blitz Poker |
| Black Chip Poker | 100% up to $2,000 | 27% | Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha H/L, Omaha 5, Seven Card Stud | MTT, SNG, PKO, Jackpots, Satellites, Live Qualifiers | Blitz Poker |
| Juicy Stakes Poker | 200% up to $1,000 | Up to 36% | Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha H/L | MTT, SNG, PKO, Fast Fortune, Satellites | N/A |
| Ignition Poker | 150% crypto bonus up to $1,500 | Loyalty Program | Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha H/L | MTT, SNG, PKO, Jackpot SNG, Mystery Knockouts, Satellites | Zone Poker |
| Everygame Poker | 200% up to $1,000 | Up to 36% | Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha H/L | MTT, SNG, PKO, Fast Fortune, Satellites | N/A |
Online Games for Real Money at US Poker Sites
You will find a good variety of poker games when playing online in the US. Knowing how the games differ is very important, and you can learn more about the main variations below.
Texas Hold’em
By far the most popular poker variant in the USA, Texas Hold’em is available on all sites. This also makes it one of the easiest games to pick up if you want to learn how to play Hold’em.
The game is played with a standard deck of 52 cards, and each player starts with two hole cards that only they can see.
After multiple betting rounds, a total of five communities are dealt on the table facing up. Each player in the hand can use any of the cards to form their five-card hand. The winner is the one with the strongest hand, or the last one left playing after everyone else has folded.
Omaha
Omaha is second in popularity and so it is not missing from any of the biggest online poker in the USA. Here, each player receives four hole cards instead of the two used to play Hold’em. However, you can only use two of those cards and combine them with three community cards to create your hand.
A popular variant on the best Omaha poker sites is High/Low, where the pot is split into two. One half is awarded for the strongest hand and the other half goes to the weakest hand.
You can also find Omaha 5 and Omaha 6 tables on some US-friendly poker sites. Here, you start with five or six cards, respectively, and must only use two to form your hand.
Seven Card Stud
Although Seven Card Stud is not as widely available for online poker for real money in the USA, it remains a fairly popular game variant with plenty of fans.
For a quick guide to Seven Card Stud, each player receives a total of seven cards after multiple betting rounds. Three of these cards are facing down and only they can see, while the other four are facing up and visible to everyone at the table.
The goal is to have the strongest hand of five cards, or to be the last one remaining in the round. The multiple betting rounds and the fact that you can see most of your opponents’ cards make this a thrilling game.
Other Poker Games
The list of games at US online poker sites continues with additional variations, such as Open Face Chinese Poker Pineapple. Here, each player receives a total of 13 cards after several betting rounds and the goal is to create three hands, one made out of three cards and two made out of five cards, each.
It’s also worth noting that the featured online poker rooms in the US also offer casino games, which include casino poker variants. Options like Caribbean Stud Poker, Oasis Poker, and Casino Hold’em allow you to play against the dealer, instead of other players.
There are also various video poker machines worth checking out. Here, the goal is to form the strongest hand of five cards after a round where you can replace any of them.
US Real Money Online Poker Overview
There are essentially two federal laws that govern online poker in the US.
The Wire Act
The first is the Interstate Wire Act of 1961, aka the Federal Wire Act. The law essentially prohibits the operation of certain types of betting businesses using wire communications. Its original aim was to stop interstate gambling and end organized crime’s interest in the business.
In September 2011, in response to questions regarding the legality of online lottery sales, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) released a formal legal opinion on the scope of the act. The opinion concluded that interstate transmissions of wire communications that do not relate to a sporting event or contest fall outside of its reach.
The UIGEA
The second law is the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). Congress passed UIGEA in 2006. It made it illegal for US banks to process transactions for offshore online gambling operators. The law effectively pushed a number of American poker sites out of the market.
Other sites stayed in the US. However, the DOJ forced the largest remaining sites in the industry, including PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, and Absolute Poker/Ultimate Bet out in 2011. The DOJ charged them with various illegal gambling and money laundering charges, partly under UIGEA.
Where Can I Play Poker Online in the US?
Poker is available for real money throughout the USA thanks to operators based in other countries, also known as offshore online poker sites. These are licensed in other jurisdictions but accept American players and provide safe and secure platforms.
You can sign up, deposit, play, and withdraw winnings with ease from any of the recommended legal US poker sites that have real money banking and games.
State-licensed online poker sites are limited to only a few states and most of them have ring-fenced player pools. This means that you can only play against other players in the same state, which results in low traffic. Plus, in many of these states, there are only one or two sites, so the competition is limited.
Which US States Have Legalized Online Poker?
There are currently six states that license sites for online poker for real money in the United States.
While online poker in West Virginia is regulated locally and Connecticut also has the legal framework in place, both states haven’t launched any local poker sites just yet.
Here’s a map showing poker regulations for each region of the USA:
These are the states that currently license real money poker sites and have at least one up and running:
New Jersey- Nevada
- Pennsylvania
- Michigan
- Delaware
- Rhode Island
Individual States with Real Money Online Poker Offerings
Delaware was the first state to welcome US poker sites, passing the Delaware Gaming Competitiveness Act in the summer of 2012. It approved both online poker and online casino games.
In February 2013, Nevada became the second state to come on board, authorizing the issue of online poker licenses.
Within a week, New Jersey became the third state to legalize online gambling. It authorized the issue of licenses to casinos in Atlantic City that allowed them to operate both online poker and online casino sites.
Pennsylvania was the fourth state to join the action. It passed online poker and online gambling legislation as a part of a comprehensive gambling expansion bill in October 2017.
Since then, there has been much legal and regulatory maneuvering in the state. There has even been an external threat that arose after the Department of Justice revised its opinion about the Wire Act’s applicability.
West Virginia was the fifth state to legalize online poker. The Mountain State did so with the passage of H 2934, the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act.
Michigan also made significant pushes to legalize online gaming, including poker. Gov. Whitmer signed the bill into law leading online poker sites to go live in early 2021.
Connecticut legalized online poker in May 2021 but the two licensed operators have yet to launch online poker sites.
Rhode Island is the latest state to legalize online poker and launch local options. However, it only allows for one operator and this is unlikely to change anytime soon.
Activity in Other States
Of course, a number of other states, including California, New York, Massachusetts, and Illinois have all seriously considered various forms of legislation that would legalize and regulate US poker sites over the past few years.
The federal government has succeeded in pushing the largest global online poker site operators out of the market. However, several offshore platforms still accept US players. For example, you can play online poker in Texas on sites that are based offshore. This is also the case for almost every state in the nation.
Is Online Poker Illegal in the US?
Playing online poker is not strictly against any US laws. Offshore poker sites continue to find creative ways around the banking issues created by UIGEA and welcome US customers. They also offer poker apps that make it easy to play and manage funds from anywhere.
You can legally play at any of the real money poker sites covered in this guide from the US.
You can’t host real-money online poker games with servers located within country borders. It’s also illegal to run unregulated poker rooms, both online and live, based in the USA.
Where Can I Play Poker Live in the US?
Poker is America’s game. As a result, most states have tribal casinos, commercial casinos, or card rooms where you can expect to be able to play live.
In fact, it’s much easier to list the states where you can’t legally play live poker. Although, even in that list of states below, you likely won’t have to look too hard to find a game, or a casino in a neighboring state with a poker room tucked right up next to the border.
- Utah
- Texas*
- Hawaii
- Tennessee
- Alaska
- New Hampshire
- Georgia
*Texas is experimenting with poker in private social club settings.
History of US Poker Sites
Online gambling for real money first hit the internet when online casinos started opening in 1994. The operators were mostly based in places like Antigua or the Isle of Man, but they still took customers from the United States and were only too happy to accept US cash.
In 1996, the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake, a First Nations group based just outside of Montreal, Canada brought online gambling to North American soil for the first time. It set up a gaming commission and started issuing licenses to online casino sites. The Kahnawake Gaming Commission helped increase the number of websites around the world from a handful to hundreds.
In 1998, a Canadian entrepreneur launched the first-ever site for online poker in Canada. Planet Poker advertised in CardPlayer Magazine in the US prior to its Jan. 1, 1998 launch. The first ever real-money online $3/$6 Hold’em game was filled with US players.
By 1999, the US Senate realized online gambling was widespread across the US and sought to do something about it. The Internet Gambling Prohibition Act was introduced, but it did not pass.
In 2002, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled the Federal Wire Act prohibits sports betting, but not necessarily online gambling. At the time, the DOJ disagreed, claiming gambling was illegal. However, the industry kept growing as players clamored for an opportunity to play poker online for real money.
The Poker Boom
In 2003, online poker’s popularity in the United States really took off. A Tennessee accountant aptly named Chris Moneymaker won the World Series of Poker Main Event after getting into the tournament through an online satellite. Coverage aired on ESPN, and Moneymaker’s story became a national obsession. Millions of American poker enthusiasts thought they could be next.
Poker was suddenly everywhere on TV, as the advent of hole-card cameras made live games more watchable than ever. Most shows were branded, and the commercial breaks were filled with spots advertising the sites for US players. The productions sold the game to the American TV-watching public and they bought it.
Then, in 2006, Congress took another shot at taming the wild beast that became online poker in the USA. It passed UIGEA, making it illegal for US banks to handle transactions with offshore sites. It certainly pushed a handful of operators out of the market, but it didn’t eliminate the market altogether.
Several sites still accepted US players and found ways around the banking issues. Online poker for real money in the USA continued to grow until April 15, 2011 – a day that would become known as Black Friday in the poker world.
On that day, three of the largest online poker operators in the world were indicted on various illegal gambling and money laundering charges, including violating UIGEA. The sites included PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, and Absolute Poker/Ultimate Bet. Access to the sites from the US was shut down, and the massive market was effectively closed.
However, it wouldn’t take long before efforts to open it up again began.
US Legal and Regulated Online Poker
In response to questions regarding the legality of online lottery sales in December 2011, the DOJ released a legal opinion that the Federal Wire Act only applies to sports betting. Several states took this to mean they could consider licensing and regulating online poker and casino sites if they wanted.
Delaware, Nevada, and New Jersey were quick to jump in on the action and offered licenses for online poker.
In April 2013, the first-ever legal and regulated online poker site in the US went live in Nevada. Legal and regulated online poker sites went live in Delaware and New Jersey in November 2013.
Now, even more states are considering similar online poker legislation and US-friendly real money sites are coming back.
US poker Sites – Conclusion
With all the cards on the table, it is clear that real money online poker in the US is easy to access thanks to offshore brands. The individual state regulations are slow to catch up and even the locally licensed operators that are available can’t really compete with the US-facing online poker sites covered in this guide.
CoinPoker stands out for poker online in the USA. It offers cash games and tournaments for Texas Hold’em and Omaha, covering all stakes from micro to nosebleed high. It also has a generous welcome bonus, an industry leading rakeback system, and runs weekly leaderboard competitions with real prizes.
