Online Poker States
The US online poker market is also fragmented with a select few legalized US states offering state-sanctioned games. This is currently limited to less than 5% of the USA’s population, but appears likely to expand to more states in the future. On the opposite side of the coin are three states that fully embraced the legality on online poker: Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey. These three states have fully licensed, sanctioned, and regulated legal online poker sites offering games to their respective residents. There are four states that you can legally play online poker for real money in the United States of America. That is, you can play in Delaware, New Jersey, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. The gambling laws in many other states have begun discussions over legalizing poker rooms in their region. PokerStars is currently licensed in two US states, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. PokerStars NJ operates under the land-based casino license of Resorts Atlantic City. PokerStars PA operates under the license of Mount Airy. Federal laws that affect online poker.
Steve Ruddock is the content director for BettingUSA.com and the Editor-in-Chief of Gaming Law Review. Steve has covered the legal and legislative developments in the US gambling sector for more than a decade for online and print publications.
COVID-19 lockdowns increased our already considerable reliance on online services and products. Across the US, grocery stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues were shuttered, capacity-limited, or simply seen as an unnecessary risk to a weary populace, especially with online alternatives at their fingertips.
Unsurprisingly, some industries have thrived, including the US online poker industry.
COVID’s Impact on Gambling
COVID-19 shuttered casinos and the cardrooms contained therein. Even when casinos have reopened, poker rooms have largely remained closed or capacity-restricted due to the potential for transmission and the general public’s uneasiness about sitting at a tightly-packed table with several strangers for hours on end. That has sent many avid poker players back to their online poker roots. And with other entertainment venues still shuttered, new players have been drawn to the game.
That has sparked a resurgence in online poker’s popularity, what many have called a mini-boom. Online poker revenues are on the rise in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and operators have been able to increase prize-pools resulting in record-breaking online poker tournament series that would have been inconceivable pre-COVID.
That has the poker community hopeful that lawmakers will take notice and join the half-dozen states – Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan – that have legalized online poker.
There’s also some momentum towards the current crop of legal online poker states joining Delaware, Nevada, and New Jersey in interstate online poker agreements.
With that as the backdrop, here’s the outlook for legal online poker in the US.
Don’t Expect Much from the Big States…
… But there is some hope in a couple of smaller states.
There’s been some chatter about online poker legalization in Indiana and Connecticut. While both states would be welcome additions to the legal online poker column, they’re not the major award previous online poker candidates were.
As far as big states go, there’s little optimism that a state like California or New York (previously considered strong candidates) will be in the online poker conversation in 2021. As such, the US online poker community should temper its expectations. Adding just Connecticut or just Indiana would be a big win, but even those will be difficult lifts.
Progress Hinges on the Wire Act
As bearish as the outlook is for new states, several states that have already legalized online poker can improve the US online poker situation overnight. What’s holding them back is the still unresolved Wire Act case.
The Wire Act case stems from the 2018 Department of Justice opinion that reversed a 2011 DOJ opinion that concluded the Wire Act only applied to sports betting.
The 2018 opinion resulted in two adverse outcomes:
- Pennsylvania was poised to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Association (an interstate online poker compact) with New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware but put its plans on pause following the 2018 Wire Act opinion.
- Michigan and West Virginia have since legalized online poker (along with online casino and sports betting). Unfortunately, they’ve followed Pennsylvania’s lead and placed online poker on the back burner due to its reliance on liquidity and their regulatory reluctance to enter interstate agreements because of the outstanding litigation.
Until the Wire Act case is resolved, progress on the online poker front will be slow.
Hopefully, that resolution will happen in 2021, either through New Hampshire prevailing in court or the incoming Biden administration deciding the 2018 opinion isn’t worth defending.
Interstate Agreements Could Be a Game Changer
Should the lingering Wire Act concern disappear, the US online poker market would quickly take shape.
With the additions of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia to the US online poker menagerie, every state would suddenly be worth fighting for. That wasn’t the case when the legal online poker states stood at three: New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware.
The first three states have a combined population of 13 million. The three newcomers boast a total population of nearly 25 million. Removing the Wire Act obstruction would fast-track the interstate agreements and bring the possibility of a legal, interstate online poker network to 38 million Americans.
If that becomes a reality, 2022 could be a big year for online poker legalization efforts in the US.
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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 States Legal
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 ...
Online Poker Stats Free
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 ...
What States Are Legal For Online Poker
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 ...