Can You Play Online Poker in North Dakota?

No, you cannot play online poker in North Dakota. Although the state’s legislation isn’t explicitly clear about playing games on internet casinos, there are no state-regulated online poker rooms. This means poker enthusiasts within the state have very limited options as far as North Dakota online poker is concerned. 

Why Not? What Are the Online Poker Laws in North Dakota? 

Online poker laws in North Dakota are a bit of a technical gray area. The gambling laws in the state do not expressly prohibit players from playing in online casinos. However, since federal laws prohibit the establishment of online gaming sites, casino operators do not provide online gambling services to North Dakota poker players.  

Since there are no online poker sites licensed by the state itself, residents in North Dakota often take the risk of turning to offshore sites like Ignition and ACR Poker for real-money poker games. These are internationally-registered sites that provide various forms of gambling activities, including online poker. Since these sites are not under the jurisdiction of the authorities in North Dakota, it’s possible for ND residents to sign up and play on them.

But while they present an attractive alternative to poker fans in North Dakota, MyPokerCoaching does not recommend playing poker on offshore sites. Offshore poker sites do not play by the rules of federal and North Dakota gambling regulatory bodies. This means they cannot be held to the same standards of fair gameplay as registered and regulated casinos in the United States. 

Although it is technically not illegal to play poker on these sites, it comes with a significant risk to players. There are no guarantees that you’ll get your money when you play on offshore sites. These sites may also get shut down at any time, with no hope of recovering any money left in your account when they do. Plus, there’s no guarantee you’ll be playing a fair game (i.e., there may be cheaters at your table). You’re better off steering clear.

Potential North Dakota Poker Sites to Launch in the Future

Poker has been popular in North Dakota for many years, but the state is still to regulate online poker sites. There have been several attempts at it over the years, but so far, none have come to fruition.

It is a pretty safe bet that online poker in ND will be regulated at some point in the future, so the only real question is when. While it’s hard to give any definitive answer at this point in time, we continue to monitor the situation and will keep you updated with any important developments.

When online poker is finally legal in ND, there are a few sites that we can expect to go live. These are all operators with a major presence in the regulated US market, and they’ll likely jump at the opportunity to expand their presence.

BetMGM Poker North Dakota

BetMGM has established itself as a household name in the regulated US online poker space, and the operator will likely be among the first to stake a claim in such an attractive new market.

We expect BetMGM Poker will bring out a platform similar to that in other states like PA, MI, and NJ. A poker client powered by the PartyPoker technology offers a modern and very reliable solution for all online poker fans, even if it is not as rich in functionalities as some other platforms.

In terms of game variety, players can look forward to a nice mix of online tournaments, a wide range of cash game stakes, and, in all likelihood, BetMGM Poker’s staple SPINS – a hugely popular sit & go variation featuring a random jackpot.

It is also likely that BetMGM Poker ND will come out of the gate swinging, offering a generous welcome bonus. With what’s likely to be heavy competition in the state, all sites will look for ways to stand out, and this is generally a good thing for the players.

PokerStars North Dakota

Although the company couldn’t enter the US before 2016, PokerStars has established itself as a staple name of online poker in the country, just like they have done in the global market.

Once the regulation is finally passed, the launch of PokerStars is pretty much a guarantee. This is especially true if the state passes a law with the expectation of joining the MSIGA, as the operator seems eager to take advantage of opportunities provided by interstate poker.

But even without that particular element, ND is a big enough market on its own.

What PokerStars brings to the table is the operator’s experience in organizing major online series, first and foremost. US versions of ‘COOP events have been hugely successful in all states where the site currently has a presence, and there is no reason to think North Dakota would be an exception.

PokerStars also offers one of the best software solutions for desktop computers and mobile devices alike. This enhances the player experience and certainly helps push the site towards the top of the list when deciding where to play.

WSOP North Dakota

The third ND poker site likely to go live as soon as legal requirements are met is WSOP.com. Right now, WSOP is the only operator present in all regulated US markets with active poker sites, and the company is on the constant lookout for expansion opportunities.

WSOP.com has one trump card that no other operators can match, which is its ability to host bracelet-awarding events and exclusive satellites to live World Series of Poker tournaments. This has helped the operator remain competitive across the country.

A launch in a new state would likely mean an exclusive bracelet series, giving players in the state great opportunities to win some WSOP silverware from the comfort of their home, and if past experience is any indicator, this is an opportunity that players jump on.

WSOP should have no problem claiming its fair share of the new market despite competitors, with the operators’ numbers surging during major live and online events.