Poker legislation: Is poker legal in my state?

California does not permit online poker, but the live game can be played in cardrooms and casinos.

Colorado does not currently permit online poker.

Live poker is legal in regulated premises, but the state confines its gambling to certain cities and towns, including Black Hawk.

Live poker has been available to people in Connecticut since the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe opened Foxwoods Resort Casino in 1992. The Mohegans followed four years later with the opening of Mohegan Sun.

Connecticut launched its first online casinos in October 2021. However, online poker is not available on those sites, given the small player population in the state. So while online poker is legal, it is not readily available.

Should Connecticut join an intra-state compact and share players with other states, such as that in operation across states like Michigan and New Jersey, things could change.

The Delaware Gaming Competitiveness Act became law in 2012. It showed that Delaware saw the future of the gambling industry, as it authorized online lottery ticket sales and online poker before most other states even considered it.

The state’s lawmakers knew that these offerings would combine well with legal live poker at the racetrack casinos (racinos) in the state, which also offered table games and video lottery terminals. The online options gave customers greater access to games. Because of this, Delaware was one of only a few states that generated gambling income during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns.

Delaware online poker sites share players with states including New Jersey and Nevada.

Florida does not permit online poker, but has a booming and legal live poker scene. Poker players travel to the state from all over the world to play in the tournaments at casinos like the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida.

There have been serious conversations in the past about regulating online poker, though a 2021 compact negotiation almost immediately dropped online poker. Disagreements quickly arose among casino operators as to the participation of tribal and commercial entities in such an environment. 

The state’s compact with the Seminoles is difficult as it stands, with court battles consistently trying to settle disputes regarding table games. Considering these complications, online poker is not likely to find consensus anytime soon.

Learn more about live poker and poker rooms in Florida here.

Georgia does not permit either online poker or live poker.

Hawaii does not permit online poker or live poker.

Neither online poker or live poker are legal in the state of Idaho.

Illinois does not permit online poker, although discussions around legislation have taken place. Live poker is legal at licensed premises in the state.

Indiana does not permit online poker, though the topic has been previously discussed by lawmakers.

Live poker players in Indiana have the choice of playing in tribal casinos or in properties like riverboats.

Iowa does not permit online poker, but does allow live poker.

The Iowa Gaming Association was one of several entities that pushed for state-regulated online poker in the past decade. As part of their efforts, it seemed possible that the state would expand beyond its tribal and riverboat casino operators, where live poker may be played. As yet, regulated online poker remains unavailable.

While live poker is permitted in the state of Kansas, there is no legislation for online poker.

Kentucky does not permit online poker, but live poker can be played in social clubs.

Louisiana does not permit online poker.

Casino gambling, including live poker, has long been confined to riverboats and racetracks in Louisiana.

While live poker is legal, Maine does not permit online poker. As with many less populous states, involvement in a multi-state compact would likely be required in order for any future regulated online poker sites in Maine to draw sufficient player numbers.

Maryland does not permit online poker, although live poker is legal.

Until the Expanded Gaming Act of 2011, Massachusetts residents had limited options for gambling of any variety.

Even with the legal introduction of casino resorts - where live poker may be played - and state approval of gambling expansion, online gaming and online poker remain illegal.

Years of online poker bill attempts led to a successful foray in 2019. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the internet gaming and sports betting bill into law in December 2019, thanks to bipartisan lawmakers who carefully walked it over the finish line.

As a result, poker players in Michigan have a choice of various live and online poker options, and the state's involvement in a multi-state compact allows it to share players with various other states.

While live poker is permitted in the state of Minnesota, there is no legislation that permits online poker.

While live poker is legal in licensed premises, Mississippi does not permit online poker.

Live poker is permitted in the state of Missouri, but there is no legislation that considers online poker.

There is no legal online poker in Montana, although the state does allow live poker.

Nebraska does not permit online poker, with live poker extremely limited, and only then within tribal casinos. No live poker venues can be found in the state. Tournaments are permitted as long as they do not charge a fee.

The gambling hub of the US, and perhaps the entire world, Nevada hosts more than 300 casinos. Live poker is a part of the legal gambling landscape, as is online poker via WSOP.com. This site shares a player pool with other states such as New Jersey and Delaware.

There are live poker rooms in New Hampshire, but the state does not permit online poker.

The people of New Jersey approved the building of casinos in Atlantic City in the 1970s as part of an urban redevelopment plan. The state long remained an alternative to Nevada for gambling, and live poker rooms there have been popular since the 1980s.

New Jersey lawmakers legalized online poker and other forms of internet gaming in 2013. The state was the first to welcome PokerStars back to the US market after Black Friday, and now offers a variety of choices for online players. Sharing players with other states including Michigan, Pennsylvania and Nevada.

While live poker is permitted in the state of New Mexico, there is no legislation that considers online poker.

New York does not permit online poker, though discussions have taken place in the past. Live poker is available at licensed casino properties.

While live poker is permitted in the state of North Carolina, there is no legal provision for online poker.

North Dakota does not permit online poker, although legal live games can be found at licensed properties in the state including tribal casinos.

Ohio does not permit online poker. Online casinos are legal in some of the states that border Ohio (for example Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan) so Ohioans can legally play online poker by crossing into any of those states. Live poker is available at licensed premises.

Oklahoma allows for live poker, but does not permit online poker.

Oregon does not permit online poker, though it has been discussed previously. Live poker games are legal in licensed properties.

Pennsylvania legalized online poker and online casino games in 2017. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board awarded its first poker licenses in 2018. Online casinos launched in July 2019, and PokerStars was the first online poker site to launch in November 2019. The state quickly overtook New Jersey in online poker revenue due to its larger population.

Pennsylvania is part of the MSIGA, which allows operators in the state to share online player pools with other states. Live poker is also permitted.

Rhode Island does permit online poker, but as of yet no operators have launched in the state. Given the small population, joining a multi-state compact would be all-but-required for a sustainable online poker room in Rhode Island.

Legal live poker is available at properties including the Twin River Casino Hotel in Lincoln and the Tiverton Casino Hotel in Tiverton.

South Carolina does not permit either online or live poker.

Live poker is permitted in the state of South Dakota, but online poker remains unregulated and therefore not legally available.

Tennessee does not permit either online or live poker.

Texas does not permit online poker. Live poker is available within social clubs, rather than casinos, where fees are generally paid as membership dues and/or seat hire, rather than rake.

Neither online nor live poker are legally available in Utah.

Vermont does not permit poker, either live or online.

Virginia does not permit online poker, although discussions have taken place in the past. Live poker is allowed. 

While live poker is permitted in the state of Washington, there is no legislation that allows for online poker.

West Virginia allows live poker at licensed premises, and also offers online poker. A multi-state agreement to share players with other states including Pennsylvania, Delaware and Michigan means online traffic is decent, despite West Virginia's relatively small population.

While live poker is permitted in the state of Wisconsin, online poker is not available.

While live poker is permitted in the state of Wyoming, there is no legislation that allows for the playing of online poker.