Even though poker is massively recognized in the US, not every state considers this game legal, especially in an online format. For example, you can’t legally play poker in Virginia for real money at any poker site. However, due to the intricacies of the law that Worldpokerdeals team has found, there are several ways to enjoy a card game without facing legal consequences. This page explains how. More so, we'll guide you to the best poker sites for Virginia poker players and explain their legal status.
| Good for | VA poker site | Bonuses | Rakeback | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLH and PLO cash games | BetOnline Poker | 100% up to $1,000 | VIP | NLH, PLO, PLO5, PLO6, PLO Hi/Low, Boost Poker |
| Tournaments | ACR Poker | 100% up to $2,000 | 27% flat or up to 65% | NLH, PLO, PLO5, PLO Hi/Low, AoF, Blitz Poker, 7 Card Stud |
| Anonimous play | Ignition Poker | up to $3,000 | up to 20% | NLH, FLH, PLO, PLO Hi/Low, Zone Poker |
| Crypto-friendly | CoinPoker | 150% up to $2,000 | 33%+ | NLH, PLO, PLO5 |
| Sweepstakes poker | Stake Poker | $100,000 Daily Races | up to 3.5% | NLH, PLO, PLO5, PLO6 |
As there is no regulated online poker market in Virginia, players in the Old Dominion will not find any state-licensed platforms here. So the practical alternative is offshore poker rooms. To help you choose, our team has evaluated the available options and compiled a list of reliable poker sites for Virginia — we’ll look at these in more detail below.
BetOnline is one of the oldest online poker rooms serving the U.S. market and continues to accept players from Virginia. The poker site’s key strengths include a relatively weak player pool, a user-friendly app across all platforms, and a broad selection of leaderboard races catering to players at different limits.
BetOnline Poker offers cash games ranging from $0.05/$0.10 up to $5/$10. The majority of traffic is focused on 6-max No-Limit Texas Hold’em tables, though 9-max tables are also available, along with multiple Omaha variants, including PLO4, PLO Hi-Lo, PLO5, and PLO6. Fast-fold action is available through Boost Poker, with the highest activity concentrated at NL10$ and NL50$ tables.
BetOnline’s poker promotions include a 100% welcome bonus of up to $1,000, a VIP program offering approximately 10%–30% rakeback depending on volume, and regular races across cash games, Sit & Go, and MTT formats.

CoinPoker is a modern cryptocurrency-based poker site that accepts players from Virginia. Its core advantages include anonymous accounts with no identity verification, a high fixed rakeback model, and the use of decentralized blockchain technology for its RNG and payment processing.
Most of the action at CoinPoker is concentrated around 7-max No-Limit Hold’em tables, with additional options for Omaha and PLO5. Stakes range from $0.01/$0.02 up to $2,500/$5,000, making the platform accessible to recreational players while still appealing to high-stakes grinders.
CoinPoker’s promotional structure includes a 150% first-deposit bonus of up to $2,000, unlocking one of the industry's highest rakeback rates of up to 50%. All players receive a 33% rakeback through the loyalty program, with the possibility of earning higher returns via WPD deals and strong performance in rake races.
ACR Poker is one of the largest online poker rooms focused on players from the United States and continues to accept players from Virginia. The platform is best known for its massive tournament guarantees, competitive rakeback structure, and broad selection of cash game formats.
The poker client supports NLH tables in both 6-max and 9-max formats, along with fast-fold Blitz Poker, cash games in PLO, PLO5, All-in or Fold, and even 7 Card Stud. Stakes span a wide range, making the room suitable for both beginners and high-stakes players.
Tournament play is a major strength of ACR Poker. The room regularly hosts large-scale series with total guarantees reaching up to $50 million, including The Venom tournament, which features an $8M GTD and runs multiple times per year. In addition, ACR offers hundreds of weekly MTTs with combined guarantees exceeding $9 million.
ACR Poker’s bonus ecosystem is designed to maximize long-term rewards. New players can claim a 100% welcome bonus of up to $2,000, two VIP program options: a flat 27% rakeback model or a progressive system offering up to 65%. Weekly rake races with prize pools of up to $500 further supplement player rewards.
As of 2026, online poker is not legalized in the state of Virginia. Under Virginia Code § 18.2-325, gambling is broadly defined as wagering or betting money or anything of value on an outcome that depends, at least in part, on chance. While online poker is not explicitly mentioned, it generally falls within this definition due to its element of chance.
Furthermore, § 18.2-326 classifies participation in illegal gambling as a Class 3 misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500. More severe penalties may apply to individuals or entities that organize or operate gambling activities, including poker sites.
As a result, Virginia residents who choose to play at offshore online poker sites do so at their own risk, even though prosecutions are rare.
Meanwhile, Virginia lawmakers have considered a bill that would legalize online casinos and online poker. However, as of early 2026, it has not been passed, and the legal status of online poker in the state remains unchanged.
At present, the only clearly legal online poker format available to Virginia residents is sweepstakes poker. These platforms operate using virtual currencies. Sites such as Global Poker, Stake US, and Clubs Poker allow players to participate without real money bets, which is legal.
| Type of gambling | Is Eligible? |
|---|---|
| Online poker sites | ❌ Not regulated / no state-licensed sites (offshore + sweepstakes/social alternatives) |
| Online casinos | ❌ Not legal/regulated |
| Land-based poker rooms | ✅ Eligible (if operating in licensed casinos) |
| Sports betting | ✅ Eligible |
| Casino | ✅ Eligible (land-based, licensed) |
| Lottery | ✅ Eligible (state-run) |
| Charitable gaming (bingo, raffles) | ✅ Eligible |
| Horse pacing, Pari-mutuel | ✅ Eligible (licensed) |
In 2022, Virginia lawmakers attempted to partially address the status of online poker through House Bill 77. The bill proposed exempting internet poker played within private residences from the state’s definition of illegal gambling. However, HB 77 failed to pass and did not lead to any regulatory changes.
A more substantial legislative initiative emerged in 2025 with the introduction of House Bill 161. The bill proposes the legalization of online casinos and online poker in Virginia within a fully regulated market. Under HB 161, operators would be required to obtain licenses through the Virginia Lottery and comply with strict standards related to player protection, responsible gambling measures, and financial reporting. The proposal also calls for taxation of online operators and a ban on unlicensed platforms.
As of the beginning of 2026, House Bill 161 has not been passed, and online poker remains illegal in Virginia. Nevertheless, the introduction of a standalone bill specifically addressing online poker signals growing legislative interest in regulating the sector. And creates a realistic, albeit not immediate, prospect for legalization.
If you want to join poker sites from Virginia, crypto payments are the only option available to you. Therefore, you must acquire a crypto wallet. What’s good about coin payments is the fact that they’re very quick and charge minimal fees.
Other deposit options like Skrill and Neteller are unavailable. These e-wallets comply with local laws, which is why they won’t allow transactions on illegal gambling sites.
Another poker-playing option that is legal in Virginia (as long as you’re 21 years old) is land-based casinos. The state has recently authorized a limited number of them:
| City | Live Casinos | Number of Poker Tables |
|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth | Rivers Casino Portsmouth | 24 |
| Danville | Caesars Virginia | 21 |
| Richmond | Pop's Poker | 10 |
Playing in a room against real people entails several benefits that are unavailable during the online experience. For example, you can use your body language to bluff. It provides an extra layer to your playing, allowing you to multiply your income with a smart approach.

Justin Bonomo is Bryn Kenny's main rival for the title of the world's most successful tournament player. At the start of 2026, the Fairfax native has more than $64 million in earnings to his name.
Justin is one of those poker players who started his online poker career playing at the lowest stakes and went on to become a top high roller.
Justin won his first bracelet in 2014 in a $1,500 tournament for fifteen hundred entrants. The most successful year of the player's career was 2018. It earned Bonomo $25 million:
Bonomo's closest competitor in the Virginia state rankings is John Patgorski. In 2019, he took home $5,821,826 for 1st place at the Triton Poker Series tournament in London.
Online poker is not legalized in Virginia, and players don’t have access to regulated online poker rooms. Playing on offshore platforms remains legally uncertain and carries potential risk, while sweepstakes poker sites continue to represent the only clearly legal online poker alternative under current state law.
At the same time, the expansion of land-based casinos in Old Dominion and the general trend toward online poker regulation in the US have positioned the state as a potential future candidate for legalization.
There isn't a specific timeline yet though.
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