Legal Poker FAQ - FAQ For Online Poker

Is Online Poker Legal In The USA?

It’s a common misconception that recent legislation in the US made playing online poker illegal.

But that’s a lazy assumption by the mainstream media. What you need to know is that in 2024, you are free to enjoy Omaha, Hold’em or 2-7 Triple Draw Blood River (or whatever sick Dealer’s Choice game you can imagine) on the web.

Laws like UIGEA, passed in 2006, made the processing of financial transactions at Internet betting sites illegal – not the poker itself. So, when you’re firing up the laptop to grind away a few hours at the cash games, you can play safe in the knowledge that you are not breaking the law.

Can Americans Play Online Poker At Any Site Out There?

Sadly not. Some of the biggest sites in the world still don’t accept US players – at least not on a countrywide level, so depending on where you live in the USA, you may have to settle for playing at one of the many alternative rooms. But don’t worry, follow our expert guide at legalpoker.com, and you can find a top legal poker room on the web with plenty of players and lots of great games.

Are There Online Poker Sites Just For US Players?

Yes! Just as American poker players online have been frozen out of playing at international poker sites on the net, there are plenty of Internet rooms – especially in newly regulated markets like Nevada and New Jersey – that cater to American players, and American players only. Play with your countrymen today!

Do I Have to Play For Real Money - And Is Real Money Play Legal?

You certainly don’t need to play poker online for real money, and some sites open to US players ONLY provide play-money options. Play-money poker online lets you practise games you may not have tried before committing real dollars; you can als join great leagues with the chance to win prizes like holidays and gambling trips to Vegas.

Remember, real-money poker online for US players isn’t illegal, and has never been made illegal on a nationwide scope. Certainly, some sites have made the playing of online poker an offense, but no one, as of March 2024, has ever been arrested for enjoying a hand or two of Texas Hold’em on their computers.

What Payment Withdrawal Options Are There?

UIGEA made some methods of depositing real cash onto legal poker sites in the US problematic, and subsequently it’s been much harder for American players in 2024 wanting to play poker online to get their cash in and out.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom. There are still plenty of banking options open to US Texas Hold’em or Omaha players online – you just need to know which one works for you. For example, some credit and bank debit cards may work with certain sites, but the fees and cashout times can vary.

Meanwhile, wire transfer services like Western Union are convenient and fast, but may carry huge minimum deposit requirements if you are to avoid hefty fees. Check out our dedicated deposit method pages on this site for more information.

How Fast Are They?

No two banking methods are created equal, and as such the cash-out times can vary hugely. While you may be waiting 2-3 days for a credit card withdrawal, check or wire transfer times can take much longer.

Are There Any Safe US Poker Sites Left?

While it’s true that there have been plenty of scandals surrounding poker sites open to American players over the last few years, controversies surrounding missing funds, late or non-existent cash-outs, or top-down cheating from poker room employees are few and far between in 2024.

Arguably, it’s never been safer to play at US legal poker sites than today, but you should still tread carefully before opening a real-money gaming account online. Trust our reviews here at LegalPoker.com, pay attention to our ratings, and you’ll have a much happier Internet poker journey.

Can I Play On My Mobile or Tablet?

Gambling hasn’t been left out of the mobile phone explosion of the past couple of years. There are now more gambling apps than ever which allow you to bet, play poker or spin a roulette wheel on your phone or tablet – anywhere, any time.

Playing poker on your mobile phone is the thing of the future, and with more powerful portable devices coming out every year that can handle the software needed for Internet poker, expect more people to ditch the PC in favor of their cells in 2024.

Are There Any Federal Laws Relating to Online Poker?

Other than the aforementioned UIGEA, which governs the processing of payments at online poker sites, there are no other federal laws at present pertaining to the legality of Internet poker.

When Will Online Poker Be Legal Again In The US?

It’s hard to say. Efforts have been made in recent years to introduce federal legislation regulating online poker across the US, but as of March 2024, all attempts have failed. Time will tell if legal poker sites in America become accepted in every single state – you could well be reading this same paragraph in 20 years time.

For now, a state-by-state easing of online poker legislation seems the most likely way forward. Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware are leading the way – expect more states to follow as we move into 2025.

Can I make money playing poker online?

Yes, but how much depends on what you're willing to stake and how willing you are to learn. Poker is predominantly a skill game, and the better you are the more your skills can overcome the luck element. The key when starting out is to grind, that is to work your way steadily up through the levels, multi-tabling micro-stakes games and playing simple, ABC poker.

Can I play in online poker tournaments?

Yes, all good sites carry regular tournaments with buy-ins ranging from a dollar to thousands. The best poker rooms will offer guaranteed prize pools which give you the chance of bagging a life-changing first prize. A good tip is to hunt out poker tournaments with overlay, where not enough players buy-in to meet the site's guarantee. Overlay is the extra cash 'topped up' by the poker room.

Can I play in US Dollars?

Yes. All good sites let you deposit and play with USD or convert cash when you load up, and there are many US-facing sites that deal specifically in US currency.

Can I play online when visiting a different state?

Yes, normally. Some states like Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey now have intra-state legal sites that cater for players strictly within state borders. Most other states will let you play at unregulated poker rooms online.

Can I play online with friends?

Yes. Some larger poker rooms operate 'Home Games' where you can set up your own Sit N Gos or cash games, and set the buy-ins and blind levels.

Do I need a credit card to play online?

No. While all major legal poker sites accept credit cards as a form of deposit, good rooms will let you deposit using a debit card or your e-Wallet. Oftentimes, a credit card can be the worst form of payment as it can incur fees and charges, depending on where you are.

Do I need to pay tax on poker winnings?

Yes. Under current US tax laws, and some state laws, all winnings at an online poker table must be declared to the IRS. New, regulated sites in states like NJ and Nevada have processes in place for you to sort this out.

How can I avoid breaking the law playing online poker?

Currently, online poker is specifically legal and regulated within Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware. However, with the exception of some states like Washington, where it's explicitly illegal, online poker exists in a gray area.

In most US states in 2024, there are no specific laws outlawing online poker, and no federal anti-poker laws currently exist. That means as long as you are playing at a safe, reliable overseas site you can continue to play poker on your computer without fear of prosecution.

How is legal online poker regulated in the US?

In states that have passed their own poker laws, such as Nevada and New Jersey, poker sites are licensed and regulated by gambling commissions within those states.

Most smaller sites you will find available online in the US, however, are regulated in overseas jurisdictions like Costa Rica, Antigua and Curacao. You are always risking cash when playing at overseas sites that are technically breaking US federal law on receiving payments, but as long as you are careful with your cash and trust our site reviews there shouldn't be any problems.

Is it legal to play mobile poker anywhere?

As with playing on your PC or Mac, it's legal to play poker via your smartphone in regulated states like NJ and Nevada as long as you play within state borders. It's sometimes trickier to play outside regulated states on your phone and you may struggle to find dedicated apps for your tablet or cell.

Is poker a game of skill or luck?

There's no doubt that, when played well, poker is predominantly a game of skill, although luck plays its part. Good players can read their opponents, and use deception and bluffs to force players to fold superior hands. However, players should all assess odds and accept that bad beats can happen. That's when the luck element plays its part.

Is tournament poker play legal?

Yes. You'll find plenty of tournaments to play online, from small-stakes Sit n' Gos to big-money satellites into live major events and guaranteed online tourneys.

Is there anywhere in the US where online poker is illegal?

Currently, only Washington State has explicit anti-online poker laws in place. It's a Class C Felony to play for real money poker online but so far, no amateur player has been prosecuted for enjoying a game of Texas Hold 'em online.

What happens when I win money at a non-USA site?

Winning cash at a non-US poker site is the same as winning money at a regulated USA site. You'll have to make a withdrawal at the Cashier and choose a banking option. Make sure you pick a banking method that is free from fees and that will process cash-outs in a quick time for US players.

What is the minimum deposit for playing online?

Minimum deposits at online sites differ from site to site and from deposit method to deposit method. A debit card deposit at one site might have a minimum load of $5 where another site will require $10. However, an e-wallet may demand $10 at one site compared to $20 at a different site.

Why is the US tight on online gambling?

Most of the USA's gambling laws are either ancient or non-existent, and the country has really failed to keep up with the online gambling revolution.

A lot of online betting and poker was, until recently, governed by the outdated 1961 Wire Act which outlaws bets made across state lines. While the original law related mainly to sports betting, it was later used to beat online poker sites offering games to American players.

Only when the Department of Justice relaxed their stance on the Wire Act in 2011 to allow states to make their own laws if they saw fit has any progress been made. As of April 2024 there are moves to have the Wire Act reinstated and have ALL online gambling in the US made illegal, even in states that have legalized it like Nevada.

Legal US Poker Rooms FAQ