Find the best online poker sites and casinos in the US, and enjoy legal games in your jurisdiction. Whether you are playing tournaments, enjoying cash games or just want to gamble it up on the slots, this page will help you find the top options.
Best Online Poker Sites
The first regulated online poker sites went live in the US in 2013, but significant progress has not been made since then. Even today, only five states have licenses poker sites, which include Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
If you are not lucky enough to live in one of these states, sweepstakes poker sites offer a legitimate way to enjoy poker and even find some great games.
This environment changed for the better when the World Poker Tour launched its own social poker site, ClubWPT Gold, and introduced massive tournaments and promotions. Now, every poker fan can enjoy juicy games, and if you have not tried the platform, we encourage you to do so.
| Sign-Up Bonus | 15,00 Gold Coins + 2 Sweek Coins |
| Game variations | Tournaments & Cash Games |
| Restricted in | WA, MI, ID, and MT |
Best Online Casinos
Similar to online poker sites, casinos are regulated at the state level, with the same five states offering regulated games. The good news is that there are more options to choose from in a sweepstakes environment, with sites like Pulsz Casino and McLuck Casino offering a variety of games.
However, almost none of the casinos offer poker games, making Stake.US an exception to the rule and probably the best destination for poker fans and casual players.
Because of the site’s focus on casino products, it attracts mostly recreation players, and you will find the softest competition around.
| Welcome bonus | Up to FREE 55 Stake Coins |
| Games | Poker, Slots, Table Games, Live Dealer |
| Restricted in | MI, WA, ID, NY, NV, VT, and KT |
Is Online Poker Legal in the US?
Yes, online poker is legal in the United States, but only in select states, not nationwide. The US doesn’t have federal regulation for online poker, so each state makes its own laws.
As of 2025, only a handful of states have authorized and launched real-money online poker sites. Here’s a quick rundown of the states where you can play legal, regulated online poker and what’s going on in each:
- Nevada: Nevada was one of the first states to legalize online poker back in 2013. If you’re in NV, you can play on the WSOP.com platform, which is currently the only regulated poker site in the state. Nevada’s site is unique because it shares its player pool with New Jersey and Delaware, thanks to an interstate poker agreement. However, the state has only legalized online poker, and it does not currently allow online casinos for slots or table games.
- Delaware: Although it is a small state, Delaware actually led the way, becoming the first state (along with Nevada) to legalize online gambling in 2012 and launching poker in 2013. All three Delaware casinos have online poker sites, operated through the state lottery, which run on the 888/WSOP network and are linked with players from Nevada and New Jersey for larger games. Delaware also offers a selection of online casino games under its regulated system. The market is small, but it’s fully legal and was a trailblazer in US online gambling.
- New Jersey: New Jersey legalized online poker and casinos in late 2013, becoming the third state to do so. NJ is one of the biggest online poker markets in the country – if you’re in NJ, you have multiple poker sites to choose from, including PokerStars, WSOP.com, and the Partypoker/Borgata network, among others. New Jersey also has dozens of regulated online casinos with every game imaginable.
- Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania legalized online poker and casino games in 2017, though sites didn’t go live until 2019. PA is a large state with a strong poker community, and it now has several regulated poker platforms. PokerStars PA was first to launch, followed by WSOP PA and BetMGM Poker in 2021. In April 2025, PA officially joined the interstate compact, meaning PA sites can combine players with NJ and MI for larger games.
- Michigan: Michigan approved online poker and casinos in late 2019, and launched real-money sites in January 2021. It quickly became one of the “hottest online poker markets” in the US, not surprising, given Michigan’s population and enthusiasm for gaming. Michigan is also part of the interstate compact; it was admitted to the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement. In early 2023, PokerStars linked its Michigan and New Jersey poker pools, instantly creating the largest US online poker network at the time. Other operators in Michigan (such as BetMGM and WSOP) are also now able to share liquidity across states.
- West Virginia: West Virginia legalized online poker and casinos in 2019, but it took some time to actually launch a poker site. In fact, no online poker platform launched in WV until mid-2025! For a few years, WV players had only online casinos. The wait ended when BetRivers Poker went live in West Virginia in 2025, finally giving WV residents a legal poker option.
What about other states? A couple of other states have technically legalized online poker recently, but have no live sites yet. Notably, Connecticut and Rhode Island passed laws to allow online poker (and casino) under certain conditions, but as of 2025, no operator has launched in those states.
Regulated US Online Poker Operators
| Online Poker Operator | States Available |
| WSOP.com | NV, NJ, DE, MI, PA |
| PokerStars | NJ, PA, MI |
| BetMGM Poker / Borgata Poker | NJ, PA, MI |
| BetRivers Poker | PA, MI, WV, DE |
What If You’re Not in a Regulated State?
Don’t worry, you aren’t completely out of luck. There’s a whole other category of online poker and casino sites available nationwide, or almost nationwide, through a different legal model.
These are the sweepstakes sites, which have become the go-to option for most US players residing in states without regulated real-money gambling. We’ll explain how those work next.
Sweepstakes vs. Real-Money Sites
When I first heard about “sweepstakes” poker and casino sites, I was skeptical. No real money chips? Virtual coins? It sounded gimmicky – but it turns out this model is 100% legal in most of the US and lets you win cash prizes in states where traditional online gambling isn’t allowed.
Let’s break down sweepstakes vs. real-money sites, and why sweepstakes platforms are a legit alternative for many players.
What Are Sweepstakes Poker & Casino Sites and Why Are They Legal?
A sweepstakes platform operates under contest laws rather than gambling laws. In plain terms, these sites avoid being classified as “online gambling” by removing the direct pay-to-play element.
Instead of betting dollars on games, you use virtual currencies, typically called something like “Gold Coins” and “Sweeps Coins.” Here’s how it works:
- Dual Currency System: Sweepstakes casinos and poker sites use two kinds of credits. For example, you might have Gold Coins (for fun play) and Sweeps Coins (for prizes). Gold Coins can often be purchased like chips in a video game, but they have no cash value, they’re just for entertainment. Sweeps Coins, on the other hand, can be redeemed for real cash prizes, but you cannot purchase them directly. You acquire Sweeps Coins either as a free bonus (e.g., given as a gift with a Gold Coin package purchase, or via free daily logins, social media giveaways, mail-in requests, etc.) or through other promotions.
- No Purchase Necessary: A key factor in sweepstakes legality is that no purchase is required to play. You can usually sign up and get some free Sweeps Coins or entry tokens to start, meaning there’s a free method to participate. Because you’re never required to wager real money, these sites exploit a loophole in state laws. They’re running a promotional sweepstakes, like a free contest, rather than an illegal casino. This is why sweepstakes platforms are explicitly legal even in states that ban real-money gambling.
- Available Almost Everywhere: Unlike real-money poker sites that are only live in a few states, sweepstakes poker/casino sites operate in the majority of U.S. states. In fact, over 40 states allow them. This broad availability is why you see these sites advertised so much and why they can sometimes offer even better games, especially for poker.
To summarize, sweepstakes sites are legal and safe for U.S. players because they adhere to a different set of rules. They use virtual coin systems to stay within legal boundaries, and you can still win real money at the end of the day by redeeming your winnings.
Pros and Cons: Sweepstakes vs. Real Money Gambling
If you have access to both a regulated real-money site and a sweepstakes site, you may wonder which one to use, as each has its own advantages. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the pros and cons of real-money sites versus sweepstakes sites for US players:
| Sweepstakes Poker & Casinos | Real Money Sites | |
| Availability | Available in most U.S. states | Limited awailability |
| Legal Status | Operates under sweepstakes/contest laws | Regulated by state gambling commissions |
| Playing with Money | You play with virtual coins | You wager actual dollars |
| Prizes & Payouts | Coins redeemable for real cash prizes | You can withdraw winnings directly |
| Game Variety & Stakes | Slightly smaller game selection | Usually offers the widest selection of games |
| Quality of Competition | More casual audience | Smaller but often more competitive |
| Bonuses & Promotions | Smaller promotions and bonuses | Offer hefty welcome bonuses |
| Banking & Payments | Mostly card or bank transfer | Multiple banking options |
As you can see, both real-money and sweepstakes sites have their place. If you’re in a state with legal real-money play, you’ll probably gravitate to those for the full experience. The thrill and variety on big poker sites or casino apps can be greater, and the promotions can be very rewarding.
On the other hand, if you’re not in a legal state or just want a more relaxed vibe, sweepstakes sites are a fantastic alternative. They let you enjoy poker or casino games without breaking any laws, and you can still win real cash in the end. Many players, including myself, use a combination of both, depending on our location and the type of game we want to play.
What You Need to Know Before Playing
Whether you decide to jump on a regulated real-money poker site or try your hand on a sweepstakes platform, there are a few important things to keep in mind before you start playing.
As someone who’s been around the online poker scene, here are my top tips on staying safe, getting the best value, and having a smooth experience.
Safety and Security First
This cannot be stressed enough – always choose reputable, legal sites. If you’re in a regulated state, stick to the licensed operators. These sites are overseen by gaming authorities to ensure fairness and security, just like a real casino.
If you’re using a sweepstakes platform, use well-known ones (ClubWPT Gold, Stake.US, etc.) that have established track records. Avoid random offshore sites that pop up in Google searches, because if they’re not regulated or authorized in the US, you have no guarantee of getting paid or that the games aren’t rigged.
Also, don’t try to cheat the location rules. If you’re on a state-regulated site, you must be physically in that state. The software will use geolocation via WiFi or GPS to verify this.
People sometimes ask, “Can I use a VPN to play from a banned state?” The answer is don’t do it. It’s against the terms of service, and sites employ tech to detect VPNs. If they catch you spoofing your location, they will ban your account, and you could lose your funds.
In summary, play on trusted platforms, secure your account with a strong password and 2-factor authentication if available, and never share your login or personal details with anyone.
Player Pool and Game Selection
The size and quality of the player pool will greatly affect your online poker experience. This essentially refers to the number of players on the site and their skills. A larger player pool means games are available at all hours and feature a wide range of skill levels.
Thanks to the multi-state agreements, some US sites now have pretty solid traffic. For example, after Michigan joined New Jersey on PokerStars, the combined network became the biggest in the US
Additionally, some sweepstakes sites excel in this area, with ClubWPT Gold leading the way due to its numerous tournaments and a diverse mix of players. If you’re serious about poker, you’ll want to be on a site that offers the games you like and has enough opponents.
From a casino perspective, if you’re playing online slots or table games, the “player pool” isn’t a factor since you’re playing against the house. That said, game variety and software quality matter a lot, and top regulated online casinos in NJ/PA/MI have hundreds of games and new titles added regularly, whereas smaller markets might have a limited library. Sweepstakes casinos typically have a modest selection of slots compared to a real-money casino app, but they do add new games periodically.
Bonuses and Promotions
Who doesn’t love a good bonus? When you’re starting out, take advantage of the welcome bonuses out there, but do so with eyes open.
Almost every regulated site will offer something to new players. Common deals include a first deposit match, such as “100% up to $600” or similar, and/or free play tickets. These can give your bankroll a nice boost. Just remember, bonuses often come with wagering requirements, so you might have to play a certain number of raked hands or bet a multiple of the bonus to unlock it for withdrawal. It’s fairly standard, just check the terms.
Sweepstakes sites also offer bonuses, although, as mentioned, they’re more focused on free coins and contests rather than match-deposit bonuses. They also run social media giveaways, so be sure to keep an eye on their Facebook/X or promotions page for opportunities.
Compare the offers if you have multiple site options in your state. One site might offer a bigger deposit bonus, but another might provide more frequent reloads or better tournaments. For instance, one operator might guarantee a $100k tournament every Sunday, which is awesome if you’re a tournament player. Another might have lots of cash game traffic for your favorite stakes.
Online Poker vs. Live Games
Many players, including myself, enjoy both online poker and live poker in a casino or card room. Each format has its unique perks.
If you’re wondering how playing online compares to a live game with chips and a dealer, here’s a breakdown of online vs. live poker and why you might prefer one over the other (spoiler: you can love both for different reasons!).
| Online Poker | Live Poker | |
| Convenience & Access | Play anytime, anywhere | Limited to specific hours & locations |
| Game Variety & Volume | Many games and tables simultaneously | Very limited tables & stakes |
| Pace of Play | Very fast action | Slower games |
| Skill Level & Competition | Tougher at equivalent stakes | Weaker opponents |
| Social Aspect | More a “video game” type environment | Much more social |
| Bonuses & Rewards | Valueable bonuses & promotions | Pretty much no bonuses |
In summary, online poker offers unmatched convenience, speed, and game selection, while live poker offers a social, tactile, and some say more “authentic” poker experience.
Many serious players use online to practice and grind volume, and still enjoy traveling to live events such as the World Series of Poker, or even local casino tournaments for the excitement.
How to Start Playing Online in the US
Getting started with online poker or online casino games as a US player is pretty straightforward. I’ll outline the basic steps to go from zero to playing your first hand. The exact process can vary slightly by platform, but this is the general flow.
- Step #1. Choose the right poker site or casino for your needs. This depends mainly on your location and game preferences.
- Step #2. Register an account. Head to the site’s homepage and click the sign-up button. You’ll need to fill out some information to create your account.
- Step #3. Verify your identity. You should verify your identity (KYC) as soon as possible. Many sites let you upload documents in the cashier or account section. This process is standard and is there to prevent underage gambling and ensure it’s really you.
- Step #4. Deposit funds & start playing. Go to the Cashier or Buy Coins section of the site, deposit some cash to play with, and jump to your favourite games.
Now you can play online poker or visit the online casino from the comfort of your own home, legally and safely. If you encounter any issues, all these sites offer customer support, so don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
One more piece of advice – continually educate yourself. If you’re new to poker, read up on strategy, join one of the poker training sites, or even grab dedicated poker software for learning. It makes the game much more enjoyable when you know what you’re doing
