If you’re wondering whether or not US poker sites are safe to play at, then you are definitely at the right page. Over recent years, online gambling legislation such as the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) made it more difficult for online poker sites to service US customers, more specifically, being able to deposit and withdrawal funds from US players. The good news is that even with all the setbacks and every thing that has happened in the industry, there are still a number of viable options available for online players in the US who want their online poker fix. It’s still possible to play at safe and reputable online sites, allowing players to enjoy their favorite poker games.

1. Safe Us Poker Sites 2020
2. Safe Us Poker Sites

Although the ideal situation would be having a regulated market so US players don’t have to deal with shady overseas operators or companies that you don’t even know where they’re located, it should be noted that many of these companies have been running their operations online for many years without a hiccup and they get what online poker players want.

Fortunately, a good selection of the online poker sites that accept players from most states within the United States are safe to play on with many customers reporting they receive the funds they withdraw in a timely fashion. There is no denying the fact that a regulated market would mean you would be able to cash out even quicker though since you would be dealing with local operators. But until the US government makes it legal and decides to tax the revenue for USA based gaming operators to run online poker games, we’re not going to have a regulated online poker marketplace in the US and it won’t be as safe as it could be.

As of today, PokerStars PA is the only legal online poker site in Pennsylvania. While we wait for the market to attract more operators, this world-famous poker site is your top (and only) choice to. Top 5 Ethereum US Poker Sites 2020 Just like any other type of cryptocurrency, Ethereum is gaining popularity in the world, and now, it has found its way into the world of poker. It used to be just bitcoin that most people were familiar with, but as things changed, Ethereum managed to grow big and gain attention because of developments in. US laws about online poker create a less than hospitable environment and many poker sites see the US market as too risky. The biggest players in the late 2000's, PokerStars and Full Tilt, were prosecuted under US law, settled without guilt/admitting any criminal misdeeds, and have been forced to shut down their US facing operations.

Ignition is certified by the Kahnawake Gambling Comission and this is one poker site that takes its responsibilities seriously. It doesn’t matter if you are a micro-player or a high-roller, Ignition looks after you and your money. Once you sign up with Ignition you can rest assured that your details and your money are secured safely. Ignition is one of the largest US based poker rooms and is a site where players can play securely.

BetOnline Poker is not only a great site because it provides access to many US poker players, it is a great site because it can be relied upon. The site is well regulated and the payment methods are all very secure. With so many US players choosing this site as their number one choice for online poker, there is safety in numbers when it comes to choosing Bet Online as your online poker home.

Carbon Poker is a firm believer in having independent authorities look at their site and give their opinion on the validity and veracity of their offerings. The reports are never less than impressive which means that when you sign up with Carbon Poker, you can relax knowing that you are well looked after. Whether you are worried about keeping your details safe or you want to play in a fair environment, Carbon Poker is the ideal choice.

Sportsbook is able to offer over 16 years of experience in the online gaming market and they understand the importance of providing a secure platform to play on. This is where players really feel the difference and whatever US friendly payment method you select, you can play knowing that your money and details are securely stored. Sportsbook is one of the most transparent poker sites around so you should feel safe when you play here.

Sportsbetting welcomes thousands of players to their poker site every day, so they must be doing something right. It would be accurate to say that Sportsbetting keeps things simple but that is only on top where people see what is going on. Underneath it all, Sportsbetting has a number of strong firewalls and encryptions in place, helping to ensure that your money and details are safe. If you want peace of mind with your poker, Sportsbetting can deliver.

In the current climate, as a player that is wanting to play poker online in the United States, make sure that you do your due diligence when comparing online poker rooms, to ensure you only deal with the safest US poker sites that have the proper licensing and regulatory system in place. Don’t assume anything

You can only choose to play on sites that have passed stringent audits and which are regulated by an independent third party company. This is done to ensure the online poker site’s random number generator (RNG) and their software is reviewed and tested to ensure the games are not only fun but also fair and secure. For example, some of the most popular US poker sites such as Carbon Poker and Bet Online are both legally licensed and fully regulated so they can offer online gaming services to players from across the globe.

Carbon Poker, which is the flagship site on the Merge Network, operates under a gaming license from the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. Since 1999, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, based in Quebec Canada, has been one of the most reputed licensing and gaming regulatory bodies for all online gaming services. Bet Online, on the other hand, is licensed and regulated in Panama. While the company is fairly new to the poker scene, it has been in business since 2001 and provides excellent customer service.
Keep in mind that while many of the US poker sites we recommend on this site are operating under licensed software that helps improve security for players, there are a handful of rogue operators that cannot be trusted with your money. To avoid these blacklisted online poker sites it would be in your best interest to stick to playing at any of the sites listed on this page.

Legal, regulated online poker sites in the US offer a safe game that you won’t inherently find if you use offshore, unregulated (at least not by US gaming authorities) poker sites.

With that in mind, this guide will help you determine what exactly constitutes a safe online poker site. The goal is to help you sign up, deposit and play at only the most trusted and reliable poker sites.

When you play poker online for real money, safety and security are paramount. That includes ensuring:

• The game itself is fair.
• Your funds are always secure.
• Proper security is in place and persistent, effective efforts are in place to identify any hints of player collusion.

If you’re worried about finding a safe poker site to play on, this page we’ll answer all your questions including:

List of the safest poker sites for US players

The US online poker market consists of some of the most trusted names in online gaming. You can trust these major brands to offer you plenty of action in a secure and fair environment.

Among them will be many names you likely recognize including PokerStars, partypoker, WSOP, 888poker and Borgata Poker. If you don’t live in a fully legalized and licensed online poker state, Global Poker is a trusted and safe sweepstakes poker site many players use.

So far, these are the operators that offer legal and safe real money online poker in the US:

1. PokerStars – $30 Free Play

• Available in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
• Largest online poker operator in the world.
• Great software and tournament experience.
• Numerous promotions and major tournament series are available
• Home Games feature to set up and play private poker games and tournaments with friends online
• First-class customer support team on call 24/7
• Industry-leading security protocols to monitor fair play & collusion

2. WSOP.com – $10 Free

• Available in New Jersey and Nevada.
• It shares a liquidity market in the two states and with 888poker in Delaware.
• The site uses partner 888poker’s software.
• Offers online bracelet events and live WSOP event qualifiers.
• World-renowned brand with commitment to customer service and player protection

3. 888poker.com – $20 Free

• Available in New Jersey and Delaware.
• Remains the sole online poker operator in Delaware.
• Partners with WSOP on qualifiers.
• It’s a proven international brand with excellent poker experience.

4. Partypoker/Borgata Poker/BetMGM – $25 Free

• Available in New Jersey and a leader in the industry.
• Both are major poker and gaming brands in New Jersey and abroad.
• Partypoker offers qualifiers for its live events.
• Borgata Poker & BetMGM Poker skins offer qualifiers to live events at the property.

Is Global Poker a safe, legal and legitimate online poker option?

If you’re outside the regulated markets mentioned above, you have another option: Global Poker.

This site is based on a poker sweepstakes model.Global Poker’s sweepstakes license (like the one given to McDonald’s Monopoly game) makes playing its free sweeps cash games legal in much of the US and Canada.

The site is based more on social gaming than traditional online poker. Players use virtual chips (Gold Coins) they can win for playing, but these don’t have any cash value and they can’t redeem them for real money.

However, when purchasing more Gold Coins, you also receive the site’s sweepstakes currency called Sweeps Coins. This virtual currency can be used for Sweeps Coin tournaments and ring games. Unlike Gold Coins, accumulated Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for real money.

Global Poker offers a safe and secure alternative for poker players. VGW Holdings Limited, a publicly traded company incorporated in Australia, owns Global Poker. The site is also licensed and regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority.

Alongside the playing experience, excellent customer service and easy deposit and withdrawal methods have been confirmed with Global Poker. Like the regulated casino poker sites mentioned above, security and safety hasn’t been a concern.

What is a safe poker site?

So what should you consider when getting started with online poker? Some signs will easily show a poker site is safe and regulated. Here’s what to look for:

1. Safe poker sites are licensed and regulated by states

In the US, there are four states currently offering legalized online poker:

Michigan online poker and West Virginia online poker were also legalized in 2018/2019 but neither have not gone live yet. All six states feature a completely legal and regulated market overseen by state government authorities.

Just like traditional retail casinos and poker rooms, reliable online poker sites face strict licensing and regulation. The sites can only operate in complete compliance and enforcement.

2. Safe poker sites use proper technical security and geolocation

These regulations make your information and funds secure. Online casino and poker operators have systems in place to offer numerous player protections that are required by state laws and regulations.

Geolocation software also makes sure all players are located within the legal jurisdiction. State regulators require this technology to keep the game safe from outside influences.

Another key security issue is the prevention of player collusion and gameplay issues like chip dumping. Each operator monitors gameplay in this way. Software monitoring commonly uncovers player collusion and discrepancies. It assures you of a safe and fair game of poker.

3. Safe poker sites have proper deposit and withdrawal methods

Along with gameplay, online poker operators also make sure your funds are secure. That goes likewise for the deposit and withdrawal process. Whether you fund your account through e-check, debit card or another form of payment (e.g., PayPal), the licensed poker site ensures your personal information, account and other information are secure.

Players who use offshore sites will not encounter measures as stringent and have no way to know if their funds and information are safe. They also have little to no recourse if their funds are confiscated or their account is closed.

4. Safe poker sites have government oversight

Poker sites in legalized US states are regulated by laws and rules enforced by those states’ gaming commissions. This statute should give you a level of confidence in secure online poker rooms that don’t come with using unregulated poker sites.

In the four legalized states currently offering online poker, the regulating bodies are:

• Nevada Gaming Control Board
• New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement
• Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
• Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement

The entities ensure that play is truly random through random number generators and that the game is fair for everyone playing. They also monitor to make sure payouts are made fairly and that operators follow proper and legal procedures.

5. Safe poker sites have proper channels for customer service and disputes

The gaming regulators in each state offer recourse for those who may have a complaint or dispute. Reputable poker sites also provide customer service support for those looking to ask a question or have an issue resolved.

Most operators offer several means to contact customer service and support, including:

• An FAQ section
• User help database
• Email support
• Live chat
• Customer service phone number

How do I know it’s a safe and trustworthy poker site?

There are a few things to keep in mind when selecting an online poker operator. Beyond state regulators and gaming commissions, some other factors can help ensure numerous player protections:

• State-Approved Partnerships: Each online poker operator must have a live casino partner in each state. Casinos must meet extensive regulations, and this adds to player safety. It also gives you a local, trusted brand.
• Reputable Companies: In addition, most companies offering online poker within each state are trusted and proven brands. Many are also public companies and not the fly-by-night operations one might find in the offshore, unregulated market.
• Approvals and Inspections: Each legal site has a seal or statement somewhere on the home page, which indicates it is a regulated site. For example, PokerStars NJ has a link to the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. These sites are regularly inspected and monitored by these commissions.
• Mainstream Deposit and Withdrawal Methods: Along with being regulated and having casinos in the jurisdiction as partners, trusted online poker sites use accepted, mainstream deposit and withdrawal methods. Those include PayPal, e-checks, bank transfers, e-wallets, and debit and credit cards, among other options. Some even allow deposits at a casino partner’s cashier cage. You can also expect quick turnarounds on withdrawals as well.
• Support and Customer Service: Reliable poker sites offer numerous ways to help with an issue or concern, from email and FAQ to live chat and a customer service phone number. Offshore operators might not provide this support.
• SSL Encryption: A critical focus in the security effort, secure sockets layer (SSL) is a standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link between a server and a client. It helps keep your player information private and safe.

How to download a safe online poker site and set up an account

Because of SSL and encryption technology, downloading a poker app or desktop-based poker client is exceptionally secure. The same goes for depositing and cashing out.

Unlike offshore and unregulated sites, legal online poker sites guarantee your funds are safe and secure. Trouble or long delays getting payouts are a common complaint about unregulated sites, but this is not an issue if you use regulated, secure and reliable poker sites as mentioned here.

Downloading is simple. Simply use any of the links above to get started, which will also allow you to take advantage of the listed free no deposit poker bonuses and the additional deposit match bonuses.

You then enter some necessary information like name, address, email, username and password. Once that’s complete, you may have to confirm your identity and email.

Deposit and withdrawal methods at a legal online poker site

After getting an account set up, making a deposit is also a simple process. Reliable online poker sites offer several safe deposit methods, including:

• E-check bank payments (ACH transfers)
• Visa or Mastercard
• Wire payments
• E-wallets, such as Neteller and Skrill
• Cash at partner casinos

When cashing out your winnings, the process is safe and secure as well. You can receive your winnings back via the method you used to deposit.

Trusted poker sites offer fast and secure payouts through several options. Some offer a paper check option for payouts as well. Many even provide cash payouts from casino partners at the cashier cage.

What’s one thing you don’t have to worry about with a regulated site? Funds not being there or disappearing out of the blue.

Your funds are not intermingled with operator or casino funds at a secure, legal poker site. The money is held in separate accounts and available to you 24/7 so you can feel confident that your funds are safe.

Are poker apps safe?

As online poker has grown, the use of mobile phones and tablets has become an even more popular way to play in the last several years. All major safe US poker sites offer mobile poker apps for iPhone/iPad and Android devices with excellent app interfaces .

Secure poker app providers include:

Poker apps provide the same security as desktop poker clients. Apps must still meet tight regulations from each jurisdiction’s gaming commission. Poker apps also include geolocation software to make sure every player is within the state offering legal online poker.

How do I keep my poker account secure?

Regulated and reliable online poker sites offer a secure environment for signing up, depositing, cashing out and playing. However, there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure that your online poker experience remains safe.

Here are a few security recommendations:

• Use proper security protocols when depositing.
• Be careful when playing on public Wi-Fi.
• Don’t share usernames or passwords with anyone.
• Make passwords challenging to figure out.
• Don’t leave a game open on a device or computer that’s unattended.

How do I recognize an ‘unsafe’ poker site?

This question is good to keep in mind when jumping into online poker for the first time. Many offshore poker sites will not offer any regulatory information or display the legal sealof an appropriate governing body or regulatory commission.

They may also feature more obscure website addresses and not be a well-known brand. Offshore operators may also make use of less scrupulous deposit methods, which come with many security concerns.

Some unregulated poker sites make it challenging to find where they are based. It is a red flag as to the site’s legitimacy and security protocols. Your player funds may not be safe with these sites or using their deposit options.

You should never use a questionable deposit method. Also, transferring funds to players you don’t know can be sketchy. Look out for these types of scams on unregulated poker sites.

Safest poker sites FAQ

After considering all these facts and concepts, here are some key ideas to remember:

What do I do if I think I’m playing on an unsafe poker site?

Research the site and determine if it’s a legitimate US poker site. If not, look for a legal option, including those mentioned in this guide. You may want to withdraw your funds from an offshore site and use a legitimate, secure option.

How do I know if a poker site is reputable?

Make sure it’s a legal US site by looking for signs that it’s licensed by a state regulating body. However, beware of imposters that may represent themselves as a legal option. When in doubt, contact your state gaming commission to see if the site falls under its jurisdiction.

Is it safe to play against players from other countries?

Legal US online poker uses “fenced-in” markets, and only players within specific states can play. Any site featuring players from other countries doesn’t fall in line with American law. It can be a major security issue, and you should avoid these sites.

Are Bitcoin poker sites safe?

Again, many of these sites use cryptocurrency to get around American law. Just because a site accepts a deposit doesn’t mean that it’s a legal, regulated site. Review this article for websites that are legal in the US, including sweepstakes poker sites like Global Poker.

Safe Us Poker Sites 2020

Do I need to worry about viruses from poker sites?

Safe Us Poker Sites

Regulated online poker sites offer secure, safe environments. They meet rigorous licensing, technology and regulatory requirements to stay in business and to keep serving players. You will never download any malware or viruses from a legal and regulated poker site.