While it’s true that many online poker sites choose to provide their players with the possibility of unlocking different amounts as they play and reach specific tiers, this isn’t the case with BetOnline. Instead of having a tier system, you just play real money pot.
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The US online poker for real money scene continues to grow, and a number of fantastic poker sites for real money games are now available to play here. There are many to choose from, but this article will focus on only a few of the best US friendly poker sites available right now.
One of the best poker sites for US players is BetOnline (click for a $1,000 bonus). Since this site’s creation in 2009, BetOnline has grown to become one of the most popular internet poker websites in the world with a huge user base and some of the best tournaments available.
Players here have the option to play instantly online or download the software for a bigger selection of games. Their design is simple and offers a live chat feature that helps customers with any questions they might have.
You can’t make a list of the top US poker sites without mentioning the highly popular Ignition Casino (click here for a $2000 bonus). It was formed as a replacement for Bovada and strives to offer members the same high-quality gaming experience that its predecessor did.
Many members of Ignition praise the website for their highly functioning mobile platform. Despite the huge number of mobile poker fans, many of the best poker sites in the USA still do not offer a great way to play through a phone. Ignition Casino took notice of this and now offer all of their games on both iOS and Android devices.
Intertops is known as one of the most popular internet sportsbooks in the world, and in more recent years has become one of the best online poker sites for US players. Much like their sports betting platform, Intertops poker (click for $1000 bonus) games for real money offers players a simple and safe way to play a wide range of different poker games for real money.
What makes Intertops one of the best US poker sites for real money is their huge list of amazing offers for both new and existing customers. One of the most popular bonuses right now is the refer-a-friend bonus, which offers a $50 cash reward to any member that helps a friend sign up. There is also an incredible 200% welcome bonus up to $1,000 for new members with a minimum sign-up deposit of $25.
The welcome bonus at Bovada might be enough to list them as one of the best online poker sites US players can access, but in reality, it’s their massive list of different games and fantastic tournaments that put them at the top of the list.
New players are eligible for a 100% bonus up to $2,500 on their first deposit. Additionally, this amazing site offers a huge number of games including the Bad Beat Jackpot tables, offering some of the biggest jackpots you can find today.
Each of these sites is available to US players right now and are special for a number of different reasons. If you’re looking for some great bonuses and a massive list of different games, check them out today and find out for yourself why they have become so popular with US poker for real money fans.
Currently PokerStars is only available in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Nevada and Delaware.
Updated Jan. 02, 2019 – PokerStars has not only launched in Pennsylvania but it’s currently the highest traffic regulated online poker site in all of America. It took years of delays and half-starts but PokerStars USA is officially open for business in PA and it appears that it was worth the wait for poker players in the area. It remains to be seen whether the success in PA will lead more US states to consider legalizing and regulating online poker.
Earlier this year, West Virginia also passed legislation that officially legalized online poker, but it’s expected to take until 2021 at the earliest for West Virginia online poker sites to launch.
PokerStars gained approval to operate in New Jersey in the fall of 2015, and New Jersey only. Their site, pokerstarsnj.com, went live on March 21, 2016, but only those physically located in the state of New Jersey can play. It’s play money for all other states. PokerStarsNJ is offering real money online poker as well as casino games such as slots, blackjack, and roulette to name a few. Below are online poker rooms available for other States.
We recommend Ignition Poker as the best alternative, and it’s preferred by many to state-run sites for those not located within New Jersey borders. Some of the other sites that rank highly are Bovada, BetOnline, SportsBetting, ACR, Black Chip Poker and Intertops. As state by state rollouts occur, we will continue to keep you updated on when PokerStars will make it to your state.
Real money online poker play on PokerStars is currently only available if you are visiting or living within New Jersey. PokerStars will be in more USA states in the near future, and Pennsylvania could be the second state to welcome PokerStars in the USA.
PokerStars, also owner of Full Tilt Poker, sold their gambling business to Amaya Gaming for $4.9 billion in a legal strategy to enter the U.S. under the pretense that they are a ‘new company’. Players are still choosing to play at safe offshore poker sites such as Ignition Poker and BetOnline, due to 50-state acceptance. PokerStars is partnered with Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, and their main competition in the state is WSOP/888 and Borgata/PartyPoker.
Meanwhile legal online poker is available in Delaware and Nevada, but PokerStars has yet to acquire a license in either state. Online poker legislation in big markets like New York and California has been considered, but never passed. It appears PokerStars is years away from offering games in those states.
If you do not live in either Nevada or Delaware, we highly recommend Ignition Poker or Betonline.ag which are safe and trusted sites that service all 50 USA states. On the real money poker sites reviews page, we provide a comprehensive look at how each online poker site has been ranked and what factors have been considered most important when reviewing online poker rooms.
Make no mistake, online poker is definitely legal in the USA. It’s 100% legal for you to play, so you don’t have to worry about getting arrested.
PokerStars remains the largest poker site on the internet with tens of thousands of players logging in on a weekly basis. PokerStars traffic is far superior to any other poker website and it controls over 50% of the market.
The sale of PokerStars has now changed the game in the US market. It is a prerequisite for any online casino that operates with a US license to also have or be partners with a U.S. operated “land-based” casino. PokerStars partnered with Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ. Unfortunately, PokerStars has struggled with its NJ-based traffic.
PokerStars also made a massive deal with gigantic casino conglomerate Eldorado Resorts, which operates properties across 12 different states. The US government has to be pleased that PokerStars is playing ball and infusing the US market with plenty of cash.
PokerStars USA is operating an online poker and casino site in New Jersey as of March 21, 2016. Preliminary negotiations to purchase the Atlantic Club in NJ failed, but a partnership with Resorts Casino Hotel was completed. It also has plans to launch a site in Pennsylvania in the near future.
The brand wasn’t forced into a file labelled, “bad actor” clause, mentioned in recent law which made it harder for poker sites that operated in the US during illegal times to re-enter, despite having paid over an estimated $850 million in fines publicly. Not to mention what has transpired behind closed doors.
While some US states have been reluctant to allow PokerStars back, it should be noted that the company bailed out tens of thousands of American poker players by purchasing the embattled Full Tilt Poker after the events of Black Friday. Full Tilt famously didn’t have funds on hand to repay its players.
PokerStars was simply a better-run business and separated their player accounts from operating expenses. It was therefore an easy task for PokerStars to immediately pay back its players after they were forced out of the US market in 2011. PokerStars was also better at becoming a global poker business with much of its player traffic coming from outside the USA.
This act of good faith in which hundreds of millions were dealt back in the form of penalties and bailouts satisfied US officials. It was an example of responsible gaming. As more and more casinos based in the USA secure their licenses to operate, PokerStars will likely be entering several of these state-regulated markets.
We have in-depth real money online poker guides for many of the US states that are updated whenever there are changes to state legislation. Unfortunately, there’s no clear-cut guide to when online poker will be legalized in each US state. For now, it appears that progress will only occur at the state level and a federal online poker bill is still just a pipe dream.
There are some states that have a higher chance of legalizing and regulated online poker in the near future, however. We keep close track on some of the more progressive states and try to give our readers some insight into which states could be closing in on legalization. You can take a deeper dive into your states specific laws in regards to PokerStars and all online poker laws with our state-by-state guides.
You can refer to the legal status of online poker in every US state here:
Alabama – Arizona – Arkansas – California – Colorado – Connecticut – Georgia – Idaho – Iowa – Kansas – Maine – Maryland – Massachusetts – Michigan – Minnesota – Mississippi – Montana – Nebraska – New Hampshire – New Mexico – North Carolina – North Dakota – Ohio – Oklahoma – Pennsylvania – Rhode Island – South Carolina – Tennessee – Vermont – West Virginia – Wyoming
PokerStars has a fascinating history in the online poker industry with a substantial portion of it taking place in the USA.
Unfortunately, many other states remain a pipe dream and it will likely be decades before PokerStars is allowed to operate in the entirety of the USA.