The United States saw the birth of live and online poker regulation in Nevada. The state was the first in the nation to establish a complete regulatory framework for internet poker by adopting interactive gaming regulations in 2011. This occurred in conjunction with the full legalisation of online poker in 2013.

At the present time, Nevada’s online gaming laws continue to be focused only on poker. Full-scale online casinos are banned. However, residents and visitors have the legal right to engage in gaming poker in Nevada for real money on regulated state platforms provided they are over 21 years old and physically situated within the state borders.

This guide will look at whether online poker is legal in Nevada, which online poker sites are legal, how regulation and shared liquidity work, what you need to know about tax on online poker winnings, and what you can expect from the market in 2025.

Nevada was the first state to legalize online poker in the U.S.

Yes. For over 10 years, it has been legal to play online poker in Nevada. In 2011, Nevada established its rules around “interactive gaming.” Next, Assembly Bill 114 followed in 2013 and allowed real money internet poker to be overseen by the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) and Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC). If you’re wondering, “can you play online poker in Nevada legally?” — the answer is yes, but only on regulated sites that hold a Nevada interactive gaming license.

Key points:

  • By law, Nevada currently limits online gaming to poker only. It is illegal to play unauthorized online slots, roulette, and other casino games statewide
  • Players are required to be 21 years or older and to be located within the state of Nevada when playing. Licensed operators utilize geolocation tools (Wi‑Fi, GPS, IP data) to enforce this.
  • Only the operators that have an interactive gaming license from the NGCB/NGC can offer real money poker legally.

Nevada has a tightly regulated real money online poker market. There are two approved operators for interactive poker, according to Nevada’s Gaming Commission (December 2025).

  1. WSOP Online (Caesars Interactive Entertainment) — widely known as WSOP.com.
  2. Real Gaming / Real Poker NV (South Point Poker LLC) — powering several poker skins and apps.

Most online cash games and tournaments offered by other sites are effectively on WSOP Online, which spreads Hold’em, Omaha, and mixed formats and runs bracelet and ring events tied to the live World Series of Poker schedule.

Real Gaming’s Real Poker NV product focuses on fast five‑card draw poker with a video‑poker style presentation. This product, which includes Terrible’s Mobile Gaming, plus other partner online poker apps, was recently approved by the Nevada Gaming Control Board. It is a licensed interactive poker room. However, it currently lacks a full-scale multi-table tournament and ring-game lobby offering like WSOP Online.

From a legal point of view, these are the only licensed and regulated best online poker sites Nevada has in 2025: everything else falls under social/sweepstakes law or is offshore and unregulated. Many comparison sites still say that WSOP Online is “effectively the only full-service legal poker room in Nevada,” which reflects most players’ daily experience.

If you are a resident of the state (or visit it), you essentially have three types of options to play online poker in Nevada.

When it comes to playing online, Nevadans have three main options
  • State‑licensed real money poker — WSOP Online and the Real Gaming network that are fully regulated by Nevada authorities.
  • Social and sweepstakes poker — Browser or app websites where you play games with virtual coins; some of those prizes can be redeemed for cash. They operate under sweepstakes or contest rules instead of Nevada gambling laws.
  • Offshore poker rooms — websites outside the US with no limitation for Nevada residents. Although these may have sizable player pools, they aren’t licensed in Nevada or the United States meaning that playing on these platforms may involve financial risk.
  • Overview of Online Poker Options (2025)
Option typeReal money?Legal status in NevadaKey points for players
State‑licensed online poker (WSOP Online, Real Gaming network)YesFully legal, regulated interactive gamingAge and geolocation checks; overseen by NGCB/NGC; strongest consumer protections.
Social & sweepstakes pokerIndirectlyGenerally permitted under sweepstakes/contest lawVirtual or sweepstakes coins; prizes via promotions, not wagers; not regulated as gambling.
Offshore poker sitesYesNot licensed or approved; use at your own riskNo Nevada or U.S. oversight; weaker recourse on disputes, deposits, or withdrawals.

In Nevada, there is a two-tier regulatory system in use by the authorities. The Nevada Gaming Control Board or NGCB oversees investigations and day-to-day work. The Nevada Gaming Commission makes final decisions regarding licenses. They also have the option to grant approvals, impose restrictions, suspend, or revoke those licenses.

For interactive poker, Regulation 5A and related statutes set out core requirements:

  • Only licensed casinos (or affiliates) can operate online poker platforms.
  • Servers generally must be located in Nevada unless regulators grant an exception.
  • Online play is restricted to poker and poker variants; other casino games are excluded.
  • Operators must use certified RNGs, encryption, and secure payment systems.
  • Player funds must be segregated from operating funds.
  • Sites must provide responsible‑gaming tools, self‑exclusion, and clear access to help resources.

As a result of this framework, Nevada continues to be a strict and solid legal online poker market in the U.S. Even with limited operators, it maintains its reputation.

Nevada was one of the first members of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), the compact that permits participating states to pool online poker players. As time went on, MSIGA grew to include the states of Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware, Michigan, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

In April 2025, Caesars declared that WSOP Online now pools liquidity across Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan and Pennsylvania, becoming the first U.S. platform to have a single player pool in four regulated jurisdictions. In Nevada, this translates to larger tournaments and bracelet events, deeper cash game lobbies than Nevada alone could support, and an environment that is more competitive than purely intrastate sites.

WSOP Online main page

Right now, Real Gaming’s draw‑poker network is only focusing on Nevada and does not share liquidity with other states.

According to the federal law of the United States, any winnings from any gambling including online poker are taxable income and must be reported on an IRS Form 1040. If you hit it big, your money will be automatically withheld. If you itemize your deductions, you can generally deduct documented gambling losses (but not more than the amount you won).

Nevada residents typically do not pay state income taxes, resulting in a generally absent separate state level tax on poker winnings. Nonetheless, online poker players who live in another state may be able to avoid tax on net winnings owed to their state of residence.

Deposits, cash outs, tournament buy-ins and results should all be carefully recorded. Discuss your winning with a tax professional who has experience dealing with gambling income. Since rules and reporting thresholds tend to change, check updated IRS information and your home state’s rules every year.

If you’re asking “how to play online poker in Nevada safely?”, the basic process is straightforward:

1) Choose a licensed site. Choose a licensed operator such as WSOP Online or Real Gaming app, these are the best online poker sites Nevada has to offer. Ensure that the footer or help mention the Nevada Gaming Control Board by name.

2) Create and verify your account. You will need to provide your name, address, date of birth and part or all of your Social Security number, so the platform can verify your identity.

3) Install geolocation tools or a mobile app. Before taking a seat at the table, the software must verify you are physically in Nevada.

4) Make a real money deposit. Players often use debit or credit cards to transfer money from their bank accounts. Minimum deposits are usually around $10–$20.

5) Pick your games. You can play cash tables, Sit & Gos and scheduled poker tournaments at any stakes you like depending on your bankroll.

If gambling stops being fun, Nevada residents can contact the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling via 1‑800‑GAMBLER or the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1‑800‑522‑4700 for confidential help

Nevada’s online poker market is stable but still relatively small compared to its in-person poker market. WSOP Online is still the main full featured room, however there are some developments that might change that.

  • Potential new operators. BetMGM Poker NV and Z4Poker continue to have interactive gaming licenses which have been renewed repeatedly according to industry reports. The launch window could be 2025 – 2026.
  • Technology upgrades. Caesars is putting a lot into its WSOP Online software and mobile experience. Multi‑state pooling and enhanced clients are vital to reawakening interest in regulated U.S. poker.
  • Regulatory refinements. Nevada lawmakers review the rules around online-gaming from time to time. This includes making proposals such as public cheater lists and more responsible-gaming requirements for interactive operators.

Nevada’s poker legacy and MSIGA involvement suggest that, ultimately, analysts will reference Nevada to compare legalized online poker, even if traffic rankings suggest otherwise.

Is online poker legal in Nevada? Yes. Online Poker was legalized in Nevada in 2013 and is regulated through the NGCB and NGC. At the moment, only poker gaming is permitted online, with no statewide authorization for casino games.

What online poker sites are legal in Nevada? Currently, the WSOP Online and Real Gaming / Real Poker NV network are licensed for interactive poker in Nevada. WSOP is the only full-service, multi-state platform that offers a complete schedule of cash games and tournaments.

Can you play online poker in Nevada on offshore sites? Technically, yes. A lot of offshore rooms may accept Nevada players but they are not licensed or approved by the U.S. or state regulators. Utilizing them offers you fewer protections for your real money balance compared to regulated Nevada poker rooms.

How to play online poker in Nevada on mobile? Both WSOP Online & Real Poker NV have a great mobile app and browser client. Once the application is installed, you will have to turn on location services so the operators can verify that you are situated within the state of Nevada.

Do I pay Nevada state tax on my winnings? In Nevada, there is no state income tax, so poker players typically only pay federal tax on net winnings. If you live elsewhere check your home state’s rules, as they may still apply even if you played while in Nevada.