Virginia Senate Passes Bill To Legalize Online Poker Poker News

Number of hands played heads-up after 57 were played at the rest of the final table The huge pot was a fitting exclamation mark to a wild stretch of play. Sutthi Denvitaya was the unfortunate bubble boy, exiting in a curiously played hand.

Under the bill, licensed operators would be authorized to offer table games, slot games, peer-to-peer poker, and live dealer games. The bill’s chances of passing this year remain uncertain, but it represents one of many efforts over the past decade by the state to legalize online poker in particular. New York online poker is once again being considered by lawmakers in the state. “Expanding online casino gambling in Virginia is a bad policy that would put casino-style betting on every phone and smart device 24/7, increasing the risks of addiction and financial harm,” NAAiG spokesman Oliver Barie said. The Virginia Senate narrowly passed a bill legalizing online gaming and poker on Monday. Legalizing online poker across the US is about giving millions of Americans the freedom to play a game of skill in a safe, secure, and transparent environment.

However, poker operators haven’t launched a site in either Delaware or West Virginia. Under the current Connecticut landscape, the state’s two tribal nations were given exclusivity over online gambling. However, there isn’t an online poker room operating in the jurisdiction.

Putting it in layman terms, Addabbo’s proposal includes online casino games, lottery sales, and a regulated framework for both new and existing gambling operators. Elsewhere, Montana still has in place a 2005 law outlawing online poker, but with a history of lottery and tribal casinos, the Treasure State could surprise some. So, in 2026 we have arrived at a stage where some states have legalized and regulated online poker, others have outlawed it entirely, and some continue sitting on a rather large fence waiting to see how the dust settles.

Poker players are far from the only gamblers who will be impacted by the bill, according to Kondler, who noted the sports bettors could be pushed to offshore gambling sites. Ray Kondler of Kondler CPA, a Las Vegas-based CPA firm specializing in gambling taxation, told PokerNews he expects that “Big Beautiful Bill” will “have a major effect on the industry,” both for recreational and professional poker players. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed a bill that bans online sweepstakes casinos, finalizing legislation that state lawmakers passed in June and marking another step in a nationwide crackdown on dual-currency gaming platforms. While live poker is permitted in the state of Wyoming, there is no legislation that allows for the playing of online poker. Pennsylvania legalized online poker and online casino games in 2017. Nebraska does not permit online poker, with live poker extremely limited, and only then within tribal casinos.

Contact a consumer protection lawyer to explore your options. ✅ Research online reviews – Look for complaints about unpaid winnings or deceptive practices. Pulled together for a “special session” to consider the new compact signed by Governor Ron DeSantis and Seminole Tribe leader Marcellus Osceola regarding gaming in the state.

Where Is Online Poker Legal in the US: Can I Play in My State?

The National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG) has also lobbied against legalization. The Senate version differs just a bit from the House bill, which would tax the industry at just 15%, but with 6% still going to the Hold Harmless Fund. Sen. Mamie Locke (D), who sponsored the bill, said the proposal would “dramatically curtail Virginia’s thriving illegal iGaming market.” The legislation estimates bringing in $3343 million in tax revenue by Fiscal Year 2028, rising to more than $1 billion by 2032. SB118 would legalize iGaming and has drawn significant opposition in the Old Dominion State.

Real-money poker sites are not legalized in Washington, D.C. All gambling operations are overseen by the Office of Lottery and Gaming, which specializes in sports betting. Wyoming has not legalized online poker; however, it does permit online sports betting. House Joint Resolution 97 (2023) is one of several bills that lawmakers have submitted to legalize casinos and internet gambling, but none of them have progressed. Many residents also turn to Nevada poker sites based offshore, which welcome local players and offer a wide range of games, from Texas Hold’em to many others. Given the backward direction of online gambling laws, internet poker will remain firmly off the table.

As a result, there was no one to hold them accountable when misconduct, such as the infamous cheating scandal at UB, victimized players. Without warning, the government had come for online poker on a day that would henceforth be known as Black Friday. As it stands, online poker is unlikely to ever come to Wyoming. However, it was only in June 2025 that residents of West Virginia had a legal and regulated platform on which they are able to play, following the launch of BetRivers Poker. As such, almost all online operators, including those offering free play options, have pulled out of Washington state.

The online gambling industry is evolving rapidly in 2025, bringing new legal protections—but also new risks. ✅ Avoid unregulated crypto casinos – Many operate without oversight and have little to no player protection. As legal online gambling expands, unlicensed offshore sites are also growing—often operating without oversight.

The most remarkable poker platforms include WSOP/888 Poker Network, Borgata Poker Network, and PokerStars NJ. Launched in 2013, WSOP Nevada shares liquidity with the 888 Poker network in New Jersey & 888 Delaware. Whether these bills gain traction remains to be seen, but having legislation on the table is at least a step in the right direction. But given the state’s recent history, lawmakers may still be hesitant. With fewer than 600,000 residents, Wyoming would struggle to sustain a poker market on its own, so linking up with other states is essential. After all, if passed, this bill would mark the first real attempt to bring sweepstakes gaming under state regulation — a move that could set a precedent for other states.

Lucas Jumalon Wins 2026 WSOP Main Event for $10 Million

• The only caveat – PokerStars as a platform in the US migrated across, meaning players now can only access it via the FanDuel platform.
• However, since the media has largely moved in-house or to a model in which the outlet is a contractor of the casino or tour, you only get one version of the story.
• In theory, the absolute worst state for online poker players as participating in a real-money game online appears to merit a felony charge.
• This bank started processing gaming transactions but labelled them as other transactions.

“The success of the spring championship reaffirmed what makes The Venetian Resort a premier destination for tournament poker,” said Tommy LaRosa, director of poker operations at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas. That being said, there are other sites available in different parts of the United States, including America’s Cardroom. It’s unclear to the poker media whether West Virginia has reached out to other states in the multi-state association to request approval from current member states. Operators will be able to link their sites across state lines as soon as Michigan signs the agreement. In April 2022, the Multi-State Internet Gaming Association announced that New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware approved Michigan’s entry. The platform will offer official online Texas hold’em and Omaha WSOP bracelet events in the summer of 2022.

After many years of uncertainty, this has basically granted states broad authority over poker. Online poker regulation in the U.S. follows a state-based model, with each jurisdiction managing its own licensing as well as compliance and enforcement. She has included poker and blackjack in some physical venues as part of her 2026 budget proposal, just like she did last year.

At first sight, intrastate poker would appear to be immune from such provisions, until one recognizes that the internet doesn’t work like that. District Court Judge Paul Barbadoro issued a summary judgment that the Wire Act “is limited to sports gambling.” In the final full verdict, The New Hampshire State Lottery Commission won the case. …prohibits gambling businesses from knowingly accepting payments in connection with the participation of another person in a bet or wager that involves the use of the Internet and that is unlawful under any federal or state law. The Sports Betting Alliance announced the results of a survey of New Yorkers in January about their views on online gaming, online lottery sales, and the state’s expected 2024 budget deficit. Casino unions have expressed opposition to online gaming in the state.

However, due to Covid regulations, poker is limited to a single table with plexiglass dividers. Of those, only Wind River offers poker, which used to include the annual Wyoming State Poker Championship tournament. The least populous state in the country, Wyoming doesn’t tend to be a pioneer when it comes to gaming. Unfortunately for fans of the game of poker, there has been zero movement since with tribes seemingly more focused on in-state brick-and-mortar expansion than anything else. Sports betting was legalized in Virginia in April 2020 and launched in January 2021.

That was a frustrating time for the poker community, because it was starting to seem like it could be many years before any other states stepped up to the plate. Poker liquidity is the reason poker is so profitable in the global market. Those states are Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Connecticut. Navigating these complexities requires nuanced approaches from policymakers who must weigh economic gains against ethical considerations inherent in expanding gambling access. These include measures against problem gambling and initiatives promoting awareness about safe betting practices – elements that contribute to a healthier gambling ecosystem overall. With proper regulation, you can expect enhanced consumer protection measures designed to prevent fraud and promote responsible gambling practices.

Future progress will likely require amendments to tribal compacts or new legislation outlining an online poker framework. Online poker remains unaddressed, but there are no laws explicitly prohibiting playing on offshore sites. The Arizona Department of Gaming oversees all legal gambling activities, and its statutes do not authorize online card games for real money. The state’s gaming landscape centers on tribal casino compacts; however, these agreements do not cover internet poker. Internet poker has remained largely unaffected by the interest in gambling expansion, which has been primarily directed toward lottery proposals and sports betting.

Kentucky does not permit online poker, but live poker can be played in social clubs. While live poker is permitted in the state of Kansas, there is no legislation for online poker. 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. Neither online poker or live poker are legal in the state of Idaho. 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.

West Virginia allows live poker at licensed premises, and also offers online poker. Neither online nor live poker are legally available in Utah. Rhode Island does permit online poker, but as of yet no operators have launched in the state. Pennsylvania is part of the MSIGA, which allows operators in the state to share online player pools with other states. 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. There are live poker rooms in New Hampshire, but the state does not permit online poker.

With consistent pressure from advocates, ambassadors, and lawmakers, that goal may finally be within reach. Americas Cardroom, despite its offshore status, shows what’s possible when platforms invest in technology, security, and responsible gaming tools. They want platforms with strong consumer protections and fair gameplay.

For those out of the loop, these platforms use a dual-currency system to operate in a legal gray area and have become more and more popular across the US. That’s a big miss, considering how much it would boost the state’s poker scene. Now, it’s up to operators like WSOP.com, PokerStars, and BetMGM Poker to complete technical testing and regulatory requirements to make it happen. From Pennsylvania finally joining the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) to New York and Massachusetts making fresh moves toward legalization, there’s a lot to unpack.

When it comes to live poker, however, that is legal in the Land of Lincoln at all land-based casinos. That put an end to an end to any live poker in Idaho outside of the illegal, unregulated underground games. Poker is legal in Delaware and it’s one of the most lenient states when it comes to online poker. Unfortunately, for those who live outside the continental United States, there isn’t much optimism that online poker or live poker will become legal in the near future. You can play legal online poker on the WSOP Poker App in your region, which still offers all the excitement of the tables but just in a friendly, play-money environment. Poker is not legal in Alabama and there are no licensed and regulated poker sites or live poker rooms available in the state.

But after legalizing sports betting in 2022, New York could be one of the www.pokernewsdaily.com next states to legalize online poker. Maryland lawmakers have talked about online gambling for several years, but the discussion has mostly centered upon legalizing of online lottery ticket sales while poker has taken a back seat. While the law is now in place, no regulated online poker sites are operating in Maine yet. Maine also permits live casino gambling, with Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway Bangor and Oxford Casino operating in the state, while sports betting has been legal since March 2022. What we mean by that is online poker isn’t legal in any form and there aren’t any licensed or regulated poker sites within the Hawkeye State.

“Our bipartisan bill fixes a harmful provision … that taxes casino players who lose money. “If the 2026 Gambling Tax change is not repealed, I will not be playing online poker next year,” Kaye wrote on X. It was alleged in the indictments that the three online poker providers had illegally circumnavigated UIGEA by laundering profits through small banks and offshore payment processors. The void was filled by PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker, who respectively became the biggest online poker sites in the world until Black Friday in April 2011. In the other forty-seven states, a selection of poker deposit methods exists to enable players to fund their accounts (and withdraw their winnings), so effectively UIGEA was just an annoying distraction.

If successful, Illinois would become the ninth state to legalize online poker, joining states like New Jersey, Nevada, and Michigan. It seems that Illinois is making a significant push toward establishing a regulated online gambling market. When it comes to analysis on which state is likely to be the next one to legalize online poker, the CasinoIndustryNews experts are the most informed.

In the same year Yahoo Games launched Texas Hold’em games for play money which was a very popular portal and instrumental in introducing this new poker variant to the mass market. Connecticut, for instance, still doesn’t have any online poker, largely because it hasn’t yet joined the Multistate Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA). To bring online poker to a state with fewer than five million residents requires shared liquidity, for one thing. Online poker for the cardrooms and sports betting for the tribes is a deal that would make sense on paper. That state’s gaming tribes are coming around on the issue of sports betting, but cardrooms wouldn’t support any gaming expansion that doesn’t have anything in it for them.

Legislators have begun considering online gaming and hosted the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States’s winter conference in New Orleans in December. State Sen. Cristina Castro (D) has introduced online gaming bills in the past, but those never came to fruition. Facing a $3 billion budget shortfall, Gov. JB Pritzker (D) has noted that online gaming might help offset some of that financial impact. “We’ve seen other states significantly boost their economies with online gaming,” she said.

After legalizing igaming and sports betting in 2017, igaming didn’t launch until 2019. Unclear whether poker players are included under the scope of the law. Existing laws aimed at cracking down on sports betting may apply to wagering over the internet, but that is one of many conclusions you might reach after reviewing the law regarding gambling in Oklahoma. In 2023 and 2024, State Senator Addabbo encouraged full igaming instead of just online poker, but both bills appear to have failed again. No surprise that the nation’s gambling capital was the first to offer regulated online poker. Gambling-friendly state started seriously considering online poker and casino games in 2017, opening its first land-based casino in 2018.