Online poker sites can be found in many countries around the world. The “poker boom” era of the mid-2000s featured many of the world’s top online poker rooms operating in the U.S.
Many poker players still consider the “poker boom” era as the golden age of poker, with the access to online poker in the 2000s as a major factor. A federal crackdown on unregulated poker sites ended that era in 2011, however.
Fast forward to 2025, and regulated, legal online poker is only available in eight U.S. states. Online poker laws in the U.S. are decided by each individual state, and therefore there are no real-money online poker sites that are legally available in all U.S. states.
Where can I play online poker legally in the U.S.?
When we refer to online poker in this article, we’re referring to regulated online poker sites that allow you to play for real money.
Real-money online poker rooms are available in the following U.S. states:
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Michigan
- Nevada
- West Virginia
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Rhode Island
Keep in mind that real-money poker sites fall under a different category than sweepstakes poker sites, which are available in most of the U.S.
Interstate player pools
Each of the eight states that offer regulated online poker allow access to state-specific sites that are only accessible if you’re within the borders of a particular state while you play.
For example, if you’re in New Jersey, you can play at New Jersey-approved poker sites. You don’t have to be a New Jersey resident to play at those sites, but you do have to be located in New Jersey while you play.
Some states allow shared player pools with other states. Tournament prize pools and overall player traffic are higher on these sites.
For example, WSOP.com allows players from Nevada, Michigan, and New Jersey to compete against each other, while both PokerStars USA and BetMGM Poker merge player pools from Michigan and New Jersey.
Where can I play online poker legally outside of the U.S.?
If you’re outside the United States, access to online poker depends on the gambling laws of a given country.
The closest nations to the U.S., Canada and Mexico, both allow access to numerous legal poker sites.