Poker is becoming a national pastime, and many players are beginning to turn to legal online poker rooms for their card playing needs. The poker experience one may travel all the way to Vegas to receive, can now be had online, with just the click of the mouse.

• Legal Poker Sites In California
• Legal Poker Sites In Michigan

1. BetOnline Poker is one of the highest-ranking card rooms for US players for a number of reasons, among which is the fact that the site offers some of the highest clearance rates for credit and debit cards as depositing methods.
2. While there aren’t any traditional legal online poker sites yet, there are some options players might check out. The neighboring state of Nevada offers one of the most popular online poker sites in the US. WSOP.com is the online home of the World Series of Poker and offers online poker in.
3. The Gaming Control Board maintains a list of licensed poker sites here. In April of 2013, Ultimate Poker opened for business and began dealing real money poker hands to people within Nevada. WSOP.com came online four months later as the second-ever legal poker site in the US.

Bonus: 100% up to $500. Bonus: 100% up to $1000. If you’re looking for online poker real money, there are a few options you can try out. These sites for online poker for real money range in variety, but one thing they all have in common is that they let you play poker.

Although there are a limited number of online legal poker rooms that accept USA players, the game has become the preferred choice for players all around the United States and we are seeing an increasing amount of websites added to the list of already established poker rooms that are legal for Americans.

LegalUSAPoker.com is here so that all players can enjoy all their favorite poker games, along with daily, weekly and monthly online poker tournaments. Whether you are new to online poker or an established player, there is a little something for every level of play.

The poker sites found within our pages can also be used as a resource to increase your knowledge of poker rules and other poker games you might not be familiar with by playing at poker rooms offering free online poker.

At times, poker can seem a bit confusing and by providing our guests with reviews of these poker rooms, we aim to prepare you for a gaming experience second to none. Use the information provided to you and your experience with legal poker sites will be one you will want to enjoy time and time again.

BetOnline Poker Room

BetOnline Poker - BetOnline is an entrepreneur in a little bit of everything when it comes to online gaming, they have a sportsbook, a casino and their trusted poker room that is legal for U.S. players.

BetOnline Poker offers players some of the best games of poker they've ever had, and gain a bonus of 100% up to $500 while enjoying themselves. BetOnline puts the same high quality into their poker room as they do into all of their other sections, so you know you are getting nothing but the best.

BetOnline offers sit and go tournaments on on a daily basis and large cash tournaments frequently as well, which always result in large cash prizes for the big winners. Visit BetOnline Poker

SportsBetting.ag Poker Room

SportsBetting.ag Poker - Don’t think for a moment that just because a website is named for their top notch sportsbook that they have nothing else to offer prospective gamblers from all over the US, because that is not the case. If you are looking for one of the best legal poker rooms for US residents, you won’t do much better than the poker room at SportsBetting.ag. These guys have been hard at work crafting their site for well over a decade, and not only have hundreds of thousands of US players noticed, but major networks like ESPN and FOX have stood up and offered applause as well.

What does the SportsBetting poker room offer more of than any other poker site? Easy – the potential for big winnings. This legal US poker site gives away more guaranteed cash in tournaments than just about any network out there, and that brings all the serious players out to the tables. You’ll never need to worry about finding a bustling table to play for big money at SportsBetting… in fact, most often, you may find yourself spoiled for choice. Visit Sportsbetting.ag Poker

Learn More About The Legality Of Online Poker In The US

The State Of Legal Online Poker In The USA

Due to the actions of the American government in the last decade, legal online poker rooms are getting tougher to find. The term 'Legal online poker rooms' is used loosely, as there is technically no illegal online poker site. Various sites may choose not to operate within the American market, but that does not mean it is illegal to play there.

The first crackdown came in 2006 when the UIGEA was enacted as part of the Port Authority Act. This bill was intended to stop terrorism by limiting access to American financial institutions by online gambling sites. This quickly prompted many of the available poker rooms to shut out American players. Others continued to serve this huge market and prospered for quite some time.

The major players included Poker Stars, Full Tilt. Absolute Poker and UB.com. Americans and rest of world players alike enjoyed years of great software and massive player pools. Online poker prospered at this time and we never thought it would end. As with anything good thing, it must come to an end.

In 2013, there has already been signs of good things to come when it comes to the legalization of online poker in the US. New Jersey has recently passed a bill that will allow for the regulation online poker for residents in the state and it will also allow the land based casinos in the state to capitalize on the extra revenue.

Although the details about what will be considered legal are not yet known, this is still a good sign that online poker will be legal in the United States in the near future.

Black Friday - The Day Online Poker Changed Forever In The U.S.

In April of 2011, the infamous 'Black Friday' events took place. The three big names in the poker world were closed down and funds were seized. Poker Stars stood as the lone operator to actually repay players and continue to operate outside of the American market.

This left online poker players looking for yet another online poker room to call home. Some just gave up and are now missing out on some solid action. The true grinders knew there would always be options and turned to the smaller sites that were still around. Eventually more and more players would return and the light at the end is looking brighter than it has in a year.

DOJ's Thoughts About Legal Online Poker In The USA

Recently the D.O.J. announced that certain laws in place, specifically the Wire Act of 1961, do not apply to online poker. This takes some of the grey area of whether or not online poker is illegal. It is in fact not illegal and finding a legal online poker room is just a click away if you look in the right spot.

Although the government does not want you to believe so, online poker is legal even though it is not regulated in the U.S. The problem is that state lawmakers are having is they do not currently have any way to get their paws on tax revenue from these online poker sites unless they pass regulations on the industry which is the sole reason why things are moving forward.

Is Online Poker Safe For US Players?

We know it is important to players to be absolutely sure that their information and hard earned money are kept safe while playing online poker. We can guarantee that with any of the poker rooms we have reccomended to you, it will be.

All of the poker sites suggested on LegalUSAPoker.comhave the highest security and have taken all the safety precautions to make sure that your valuble details are kept secure. Rest assured knowing that all of your information and money are being handled by the most professional and secure hands.

With that said, your info will also not fall into the hands of local authorities and therefore no one will ever know that you are playing poker online unless you volunteer that information.

Are Online Poker Websites Legit? Can They Be Trusted?

All it takes is to browse through some of the online poker sites that we recommend and you will notice right off the bat the legitimacy of this industry. Online poker sites are highly regulated, well-maintained, and continuously trying to appease their customers through expert service and features. Will there be some poker sites you want to avoid? Certainly there are, but by visiting this page you have taken the first step towards finding legit online poker websites for players living in the United States. We've got all of the information that you need to get the ball rolling.

What Is The Legal Age To Play Poker Online In The US?

One of the major requirements of playing poker online is that you meet the minimum age to do so. Every poker site accepting USA players will have a terms and conditions page which will highlight the age requirement among other things.

Typically the age to play is 18 years old however it should also be noted that it is safer to assume that the local age to play poker in your state supersedes this number. While you won't go to jail for not meeting these requirements, it's best to abide by them because it could result in denied payments as well as closed/suspended accounts.

Which State Have Legal Poker In The United States?

Whether it’s private games at home, thrilling games in busy casinos or just a quiet night in playing poker online, residents from all 50 states have come to enjoy poker on a regular basis, and because of this and the obvious profits that can be made from legalized poker, many states have granted allowances or written loopholes into their legislation that allow for the legal facilitation of poker.

No matter where in the US you live, you are highly unlikely to garner any legal attention for merely participating in poker as a player, but the rules get a little more slippery when we start to talk about the facilitation of poker. These laws are important because all US citizens want to be sure that they are playing in a manner that is safe both for them personally and for their hard earned money, even if they are not running a risk of jail time.

For this reason, we think it’s always a good idea to stay abreast of the laws governing poker in your home state. The tabs on the left will help you to explore policies on a state by state basis so that you can make the most informed decision on where you play poker, whether on land or online.

Learn More About Online Poker Sites Taking USA Players

Below we have broken downs several key areas that players in the United States need to be aware of before joining an online poker site. Knowing what you are getting into before doing it is always going to help no matter what you, playing online poker included.

Options For US Players To Deposit Into Online Poker Sites

Poker deposit methods that work for U.S. players that are commonly available at various online poker sites where Americans are allowed to sign up and play. Not all deposit methods that are listed at a poker site will be available for players in the U.S. which is why it is important to know which methods are available to you, which we have listed below.

These options will not be available all together at every site but you will find at least one of these in the cashier at the poker room you choose. Keep reading on and see which method will work best for you.

• VISA - Players that use VISA are using the most commonly accepted form of major credit card accepted at US online poker sites, and it makes depositing extremely easy when it works..
• American Express - Another brand of major credit cards, American Express has a very high acceptance rate, though it is not commonly found at poker sites in the U.S.
• MasterCard - Like other credit cards, MasterCard isn't as commonly accepted at poker rooms taking players from the U.S. but it is available at some and offers instant transactions as usual.
• Wire Transfer - This is a great option because players can send funds through a Western Union or MoneyGram station to fund their poker account using cash or credit cards.
• Prepaid Cards - Often backed by the major credit card companies, using a prepaid card is a safe, instant way to make deposits into poker rooms plus they can be purchased with cash.
• Bank Transfer - Directly transferring funds from your bank account into your online poker account is known as using a bank transfer which are nice because they usually have high deposit limits.
• Checks/Money Orders - Personal checks are typically not accepted at online poker rooms, however some poker sites do accept them but more commonly money orders are preferred.

USA Online Poker Payouts & Withdrawal Options

Because having money in a poker account without having access to actually use that money is useless, you have got to know the viable ways to withdrawal money from online poker accounts. This probably one of the biggest obstacles facing American players and we're going to break them down below.

These methods are the ones that most USA players turn to because frankly they are all that are offered by online poker websites that allow Americans to play. While each has their own merits, you should know which one is going to work best for you and then find the poker room that offers that method.

• Checks/Money Orders - Americans turn to receiving a check or money order through the mail when getting funds out of online poker accounts. Normally using this method gives real-money players an option to get all the funds out their account thanks to the high withdrawal limits in place.
• Wire Transfer - Generally viewed as a last resort, withdrawals via wire transfers can cost a bit more to process but they do show up pretty quickly and are guaranteed to work. Plus, wire transfer payouts can be collected as cash which can then be spent anywhere that accepts American currency.
• Bank Wires - Much the same way you can send funds from your bank account to fund online poker, you can have funds sent back to your bank account from poker websites. Bank wires require time to get setup but once everything is in place, users rarely have to seek other ways to get paid by poker rooms.

Poker Bonuses For U.S. Players

Online poker rooms are, in some ways, much better than land based poker rooms and it is partially due to the fact that you can play whenever you please. Also, because of the online poker bonuses, Americans can extend their playing time just for making a simple deposit into their account for the first time.

Most online poker rooms will give bonuses of free money to all players making a deposit into their accounts matched at a percentage of your initial deposit. These are one of the most fair bonuses available to any online gambling site, as they are released as you place bets, rather than at the end of the deposit or after you have made a total amount of bets.

Since the money is dispersed as you continue to play, you will gradually receive additional money as you go. This works best in ring games but can also be accomplished by playing in tournaments.

Legal Online Poker Games

Poker is one of the most beloved games of all time, and there are several variations of it. Texas Hold'em is not surprisingly one of the most popular online poker games, and for the simple reason that it's easy to learn. Not to say that you can be a master in minutes because truly mastering any poker game takes years, however it does only take minutes to learn and is extremely fun to play.

Some of the other popular poker variants are Stud and Omaha, which are also rather easy to learn. The top online poker rooms we have listed for you here offer several different poker variants for players to choose from, and you can try them out in free mode before betting real money on them.

Customer Service At Legal U.S. Online Poker Rooms

With all the best legal online poker sites for U.S. players we have provided for you it is very unlikely you should need to ever use their customer service, however in the unlikely event that you do, let us assure you it will be the simplist of interactions.

The customer service found at the best online poker rooms will include several options to contact their support staff , and only the most helpful and friendly customer service representatives. It is important to these poker rooms to keep their loyal players and they will do everything within their power to make sure any issues you have are handled promptly and to your satisfaction.

Make sure to check out the poker room's FAQ section before contacting them, as your question may already be answered there for you.

California is a poker player’s dream from a live game standpoint with some of the best (and busiest) live poker rooms and casinos in the country. Finding a nice poker room for a cash game or a tournament is usually just a short trip for most Californians.

Major tournament series like the World Poker Tour and World Series of Poker Circuit also have stops in California. Regulated online poker for real money, however, has thus far remained unattainable at a legislative level.

The next best option for online players in California right now is sweepstakes poker sites, such as Global Poker, or a short trip to play some real money online poker in Nevada at WSOP.com. Until legislators get a bill across the finish line for the governor’s signature, traditional legalized online poker remains off the table in CA.

Best California Poker Sites

Latest California online poker news

• by Anthony Cicali IIIFebruary 11, 2021
• by Sean ChaffinOctober 10, 2019

Online Poker in California

While there aren’t any traditional legal online poker sites yet, there are some options players might check out. The neighboring state of Nevada offers one of the most popular online poker sites in the US.

WSOP.com is the online home of the World Series of Poker and offers online poker in Nevada and New Jersey. The site offers cash games, tournaments, Sit & Go’s and major tournament series.

The WSOP partners with 888poker, which provides software for the poker client and mobile poker app. 888 also offers online poker in New Jersey and Delaware. WSOP.com and 888poker offer the country’s only shared liquidity market between NJ, Nevada, and Delaware.

This makes for bigger player and prize pools than at other legal online poker sites in NJ or poker sites in Pennsylvania. By 2020, the WSOP.com/888 interstate compact was seeing even bigger increases in player pools.

The WSOP even runs some of its circuit events on the platform, offering players a chance to win championship rings. A California player heading to Las Vegas, Reno, the Lake Tahoe area, Carson City, or anywhere else in Nevada has the chance to play on WSOP.com.

Sweepstakes poker is another option for players in California. These sites are licensed under sweepstakes law (similar to McDonald’s Monopoly game, for example) to offer a mix of social gaming and real money online poker. Global Poker is the largest and most trusted of these.

Sweepstakes online poker in California

Sweepstakes poker is a reasonable alternative for Californians who want to get some real money online poker hands in. Global Poker is one of the most popular sweepstakes poker sites and provides a comparable poker experience to a standard online poker site.

Global Poker offers two forms of online poker:

• You can play free games with virtual currency in the form of Gold Coins.
• You can purchase additional Gold Coins to receive an added virtual currency called Sweeps Coins, which lets you play in separate Sweeps Coin ring games, Sit & Go’s, MTTs, and regular live tournament series with major guarantees.

Any Sweeps Coins you win can then be redeemed for real cash prizes. And just like any legalized online poker site you can securely purchase Gold Coins, receive your Sweep Coins and cash them out easily online.

Beyond California, Global Poker is available to players in 49 states (excl. WA) and Canada (excl. Quebec). If you’re wondering what its company structure is, Global Poker is owned by VGW Holdings Limited, a publicly traded company incorporated in Australia. Global is also licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority, so players can expect a regulated environment with a fair game and security. VGW also owns and operates two sweeps cash casinos—Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots.

Global Poker offers games in Texas Hold’em, Crazy Pineapple and Omaha.

Online Poker in Nevada

Those looking to play some traditional online poker have WSOP.com Nevada as an option in Nevada. Southern California residents have a four- to five-hour drive to Las Vegas (depending on exact location and traffic). Players hitting Sin City for some fun may also want to battle it out online in popular events like the Online Super Series, which drew record numbers in March 2020.

In Northern California, a weekend trip to Lake Tahoe, Reno, or Carson City could also include some online poker. WSOP.com is available to players anywhere in Nevada.

Getting started is easy. You can create an account from anywhere and also make a deposit from anywhere as well. Sign up only takes a few minutes and you expect to provide:

• Name
• Address
• Phone number
• Email
• Username
• Password

Making a deposit is also easy and can be accomplished from anywhere. Players depositing at WSOP.com can use any of the following:

• E-check bank payments (ACH transfers)
• Visa/Mastercard
• PayNearMe, available at thousands of retail outlets

When making that deposit, expect safety and security with legal online operators. Unregulated sites may not have well-known safe deposit methods. US-facing regulated poker sites must follow strict procedures and technical specifications to make sure player information and funds are kept secure.

Operators also make use of sign-up and deposit bonuses and that goes for WSOP.com.

It’s important to note that online operators use geolocation software to determine a player’s location when attempting to play. A player must be physically located within the state to play legally and geolocation software makes sure of that.

Real Money Poker Apps in California

Playing poker on a mobile app has never been more popular. Many players like to take advantage of the convenience and user-friendly environment that real money poker apps provide.

An app can easily be downloaded on your phone or tablet. Poker apps have improved greatly in recent years and now provide easy lobby navigation, simple game play features, and the ability to play more than one event at the same time.

Most tournaments and cash games offered online can also be found on the app. Although it’s possible to play large multi-table tournaments on some apps, smaller events like Sit & Go’s are easier to play on mobile devices.

Sweepstakes site Global Poker doesn’t yet offer an app, but players can make use of its quick play feature. It’s a web-browser based system, meaning you don’t have to download any poker software.

That system also works well in a mobile environment. Mobile players at Global Poker will basically find the same experience they’d find using a laptop or desktop computer.

Real money poker apps can also be downloaded by Californians to be used when in a state that allows online poker. Those states currently include Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. Geolocation software is used to confirm that players are within a legal jurisdiction. However, players can still sign up, withdraw funds, and deposit from any location.

Free Poker Online in California

Most real money poker sites offer some form of free poker making use of virtual currency. These are often in the form of mobile apps or social media games. Popular free poker offerings from major poker providers include:

• WSOP social gaming platform
• PokerStars.net (and a social gaming platform)
• WPT social gaming platform
• ClubWPT – Sweepstakes poker site of the World Poker Tour

Free poker apps are a fun way to play and practice without any real money on the line. Global Poker also offers free ring games and tournaments through its sweepstakes model. Players also have the option of using Sweeps Coins earned as well for a shot at redeeming them for real cash.

If you want to set up a private home poker game for your friends online, you can do so via the free play money platform at PokerStars.net. You can also access free-to-play poker platforms in virtually any other non-legalized states including Florida, Texas, etc.

Estimates for Traffic in California Legal Online Poker

Legal online poker in California could be a game changer for the industry. The state is the most populous in the US with 39.5 million people. With a large number of poker rooms and casinos, there would be a massive pool of online players compared to the states where legal online poker is already live. Those are:

West Virginia poker online has also been legalized but has yet to have any sites go online.

Legalization in CA could alter the online poker landscape in the US. Major operators including PokerStars, partypoker, WSOP.com, and others would be interested in moving into the state. California legalization could also spur other high-population states to get on the bandwagon as well, especially if interstate compacts are allowed. Online poker in Florida or online poker in Texas would be similarly impactful.

As of 2020 the WSOP/888poker platform among Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware was at record numbers. Average days see between 500 and 800 players. If the site launched in California, that traffic could surge and be eclipsed easily in the Golden State.

Which Casinos in California Will Have Online Poker Sites?

If CA were to offer some type of legal online poker, it’s a good bet it would mimic current laws in other states at least to some degree. In other legal states online poker brands partner with live casinos or other gaming enterprises in the state. For example, PokerStars partners with Resorts Casino in Atlantic City and Mount Airy Casino in Pennsylvania.

There is no shortage of CA casinos and card rooms that would look to get in on the action. With such a large population, the state could also probably support a few online poker sites. There are no current partnerships with a legal framework in place, but here are a few brands that might be ready to enter the online poker arena. Those might include:

Live Poker Rooms – While they may call themselves casinos many are in fact mostly card rooms. Some of those that stand out in the state include:

• Commerce Casino
• Bicycle Club
• Gardens
• Bay 101
• Hustler
• Ocean’s Eleven

and numerous others.

Tribal casinos – Along with poker rooms, there are also several tribal casinos that might be interested in online poker partnerships. A few of those might include:

• Pechanga
• Agua Caliente
• Thunder Valley
• San Manuel
• Morongo

and others. Of these, Thunder Valley, Commerce, Bicycle, Gardens, Bay 101, and Ocean’s Eleven have all hosted WPT and WSOP Circuit events. Those with a large footprint in live poker may also look to add their imprint online.

For those hoping WSOP.com could be an option in the state, that could be possible in a legal environment. WSOP owner Caesars Entertainment operates Harrah’s Resort Southern California. This Indian casino is located in Valley Center and is owned by the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians.

If operators are allowed to partner with casino properties in the state, Harrah’s and WSOP make for a natural fit.

Popular Poker Games in California Card Rooms

Poker rooms are plentiful in California and the game has a deep tradition in the state. Numerous CA players from the state have gone on to success in major tournament series and events. Most of the major poker rooms in California offer all the major games players have come to love from low buy-ins to nosebleed stakes. The most popular poker games offered include:

• Texas Hold’em (limit and no limit)
• Omaha (and Hi/Lo)
• Seven Card Stud (and Hi/Lo)
• Lowball including Razz and Deuce to Seven
• Pineapple and Crazy Pineapple

Is Online Poker Legal in California?

Currently, online poker in California is not legal. For more than 10 years, several attempts have been made by legislators to legalize it, but with no success. With so many gaming interests in the state – including horse tracks, poker rooms, and tribal casinos – satisfying all interests with an online gaming law has been a struggle.

In those attempts, these stakeholders weren’t able to reach a consensus and the bill failed to come to a vote. In 2016, Assemblyman Adam Gray took a different approach from previous efforts and introduced AB 2863 during the 2016 legislative session. He hoped to solve the issue with the debate about whether horse racetracks should get involved in the state’s online poker industry.

The CA horse racing industry would have received up to $60 million per year from online poker taxes. Additionally, 5 percent of the annual taxes would have gone to California’s Fair and Exposition Fund, which supports administering agencies, state, county, and district fairs.

The other 95% would be divided three ways. The vast majority of that (95.4%) would go toward purses for horsemen. The remaining 4.6% would be evenly divided between pensions for horsemen and employees of racetracks. The bill didn’t address licensing fees or a tax rate. Previous versions required a $15 million deposit and a 15 percent tax rate.

AB 2863 also included a bad actor clause, which would have kept out operators like PokerStars, which operated in the US after the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA) was put in place in 2006. Because of this, PokerStars and its coalition rallied against the bill. The 2016 legislative session came to an end without a vote on AB 2863. Since then there hasn’t been much momentum in legalizing online poker.

Currently, Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are the only states that offer traditional legal online poker. West Virginia and Michigan have also legalized online gaming, including poker, but aren’t expected to offer any online poker sites until 2021.

Previously proposed legislation included the possibility of pooling players from California with players from other states such as Nevada or New Jersey, but California would first have to legalize online poker. Even if online poker was legalized, continued debate about the Wire Act might jeopardize any current efforts at interstate compacts and shared liquidity. The Department of Justice has argued that the act applies to other forms of online gaming beyond sports betting.

The gaming industry argues that the law was meant solely for sports betting. A change in that could jeopardize online lotteries, online poker, and other forms of iGaming. The Wire Act issue remained in federal court as of April 2020, but the gaming industry (led by a lawsuit by the New Hampshire lottery) had won an early round before the DOJ appealed.

Past California online poker bills

California Assemblyman Reginald Jones-Sawyer introduced AB 167 in 2015.The bill would have permitted all card clubs, tribes and racetracks to offer online poker in California.

Additionally, it would have created player penalties for giving action to unlicensed, offshore sites.This bill had the support of the PokerStars coalition, but not the Pechanga coalition.

Assemblyman Mike Gatto introduced AB 9 during the 2015 California legislative session.This bill included a “bad actor” clause and did not permit licensing of racetracks. This bill had the support of the Pechanga’s coalition, but not PokerStars’ coalition.

Finally, State Sen. Isadore Hall and Assemblyman Gray introduced SB 278 and AB 431, respectively.These were placeholder bills with no primary language about online poker.

PokerStars’ coalition

PokerStars’ coalition consists of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Commerce Casino, Hawaiian Gardens and the Bicycle Casino.

This group opposes the so-called “bad actor” clause, which would exclude any company that accepted bets after Dec. 31, 2006, in the US without proper licensing.

The reason for PokerStars’ coalition’s opposition to the clause is apparent. As a result of the provision, PokerStars would be excluded from operating in California, removing the group’s partner.

The PokerStars coalition also supports the inclusion of the state’s racetracks. The consensus is that any bill that does not include the horse racing industry will get a veto by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Pechanga coalition

There are seven tribes that oppose bad actors and the participation of racetracks in California. Those tribes are:

• Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians
• Barona Band of Mission Indians
• Lytton Band of Pomo Indians
• Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians
• Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians
• Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation
• Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation

Other tribal positions

Most other California tribes have remained mostly silent on the issue of racetracks or bad actors.Pala Interactive, the online gaming subsidiary of the Pala Band of Mission Indians, appears to expect the inclusion of racetracks.

Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians partnered with Caesars for its land-based casino. Hence, it seems logical that it would use WSOP.com for its interactive gaming.Rincon and Caesars both stated that they support the inclusion of PokerStars in the California online gaming market.

A Brief History of Poker in California

Poker has a deep history in California with poker dating back to its days during the Old West and American westward expansion. Poker is synonymous with the western frontier and flourished in the 19th Century during this expansion.

Miners flush with new cash during the California Gold Rush of the mid-1800s hit the tables to gamble some of their new earnings. The state’s constitution in 1879 outlawed all forms of gambling but left out draw poker, which was considered a gentleman’s game. An 1891 law making gambling illegal again left out draw poker.

Legal or illegal, poker continued to flourish. Poker clubs continued into the 1900s sometimes despite even local bans on gambling. Californians historical love of poker just wouldn’t go away and Gardena became a particularly popular hotbed for several poker clubs in the 1950s.

Varying localities offered different regulations and poker rooms continued well into the 1980s and ‘90s. Poker remains extremely popular in CA and keeps alive the state’s spirit of the frontier and the favored game of the Old West.

California online poker FAQ

Why should I play only at legal online poker sites?

Should online poker ever become legal in California, players can be assured that their money and personal information are safe. In the US, legal online poker sites must adhere to strict laws and regulations. For example, the Nevada Gaming Control Board regulates online poker for the state of Nevada. WSOP.com and its partner 888poker are trusted websites with proven experience in running online gaming. Player safety and security are paramount.

WSOP.com even assures players on its website: “If you use this website to send personal data to Caesars Operating Company, Inc., your transmission will be protected by Secure Socket Layer (SSL).” SSL is a technology employed by Caesars Entertainment and other online operators that encrypts your information during transmission. Caesars further notes: “It is our policy to take all reasonable steps to ensure that your personal data is securely maintained with access limited to those who need such access to serve you.”

You won’t see anything like this at offshore, unregulated sites. They aren’t governed by any US gaming commission and don’t meet strict standards of operation like legal US sites.

Player collusion is another security issue that could impact the fairness of the game for players. To combat this, WSOP.com and other operators have software that monitors this issue and other discrepancies. This helps maintain the integrity of the game. Offshore and underground sites are not as heavily regulated as legal online poker sites. Slow payouts and loss of player funds are regular complaints of former players. Playing on legal, safe online poker sites offers numerous player protections.

Why is California behind other states in legalizing online poker?

While California was one of the first states to offer legal card clubs, its ability to move that a variety of factors hampers the industry’s move to the internet.

There are three gaming segments in California: card clubs, racetracks and tribes. All three have different opinions as to how to approach online poker, even within the groups. Because of this, there are issues with agreeing on how to move forward.

Additionally, there are conservative groups that oppose any form of gambling expansion.

How many poker players are there in CA?

That’s a difficult question to answer but a visit to any card room in the state will find plenty of players battling it out at the poker table. With a population of 39.5 million, it’s a good bet at least a few million consider themselves poker players to some degree or another.

Can you play on PokerStars in CA?

No, PokerStars is available to players in numerous countries around the world, but that doesn’t include all of the US. As of April 2020, PokerStars is only available in New Jersey and Pennsylvania in the US. And these states are “fenced in” markets, meaning players in those states only play each other online – no shared liquidity markets at the moment.

Can you play on WSOP.com in CA?

Legal Poker Sites In California

No, WSOP.com is currently only available in Nevada and New Jersey, where it functions in a shared liquidity market. That also includes its software partner 888poker’s offerings in New Jersey and Delaware. This combination remains the largest legal online poker platform in the US.

New players on WSOP.com in legal states can currently claim a free no deposit bonus for opening a new poker account.

Does Commerce Casino have an online poker site?

Legal Poker Sites In Michigan

Commerce Casino doesn’t have an online poker site. However, you can follow the casino’s news on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Here you can keep updated with the latest news and receive discounts, invitations, and special deals and promotions.

Does Bicycle Casino have an online poker site?

The Bicycle Casino doesn’t have an online poker site. However, it does boast livestream poker games with its Live at the Bike online show. The poker room remains one of the most popular in the state.

Can you play on offshore poker sites in CA?

Offshore poker sites are NOT licensed or regulated. This may make players’ information and funds vulnerable to security breaches. Players of these sites often complain about slow payouts and if the site folds altogether players may not be refunded.

A better option for California residents would be to use a platform in Nevada. Global Poker, a sweepstakes poker site, is another option and is available to players in the Golden State.

What are the main issues keeping online poker from legal online poker?

The main issues pertaining to the inclusion of racetracks and PokerStars.

Will California offer legal online casino games?

All bills introduced up to this point have only proposed legalizing poker. They did not include casino games or sports betting.

Will California pool with other legal poker states?

Most California online poker bills have proposed the possibility of sharing players with other states, so it is possible that California could choose to pool players with New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware should the state move forward on legalizing internet poker.

As of 2020, however, this wasn’t just a question of a state’s choice. Until the murkiness of the Wire Act is made clear, interstate compacts remain an open question.

Other states that have recently legalized, such as Pennsylvania and Michigan, haven’t included shared liquidity in their online gaming legislation. This could be altered once legal disputes are cleared up on the issue.

How soon would California launch online poker if it passes legislation?

It would take between 12 and 18 months for California online poker to launch if approved by lawmakers.

Will PokerStars operate in California?

That depends on the bill that eventually passes. While some include language that would specifically exclude PokerStars, some industry experts believe that a bill excluding PokerStars can never pass in California.

How much tax revenue will California generate?

It is estimated that California online poker rooms would generate about $350 million a year in rake. This would translate to $35 million a year in tax revenue at a rate of 10 percent.

Additional licensing fees for sites and employees would also create taxes for the state.

Will California poker sites be available outside of California?

Legal California poker sites would only be available in states where a liquidity sharing agreement is created. Otherwise, players will be required to be in California at the time of action.