Can You Play Online Poker in Oklahoma?

No, you cannot play online poker legally in Oklahoma. Since as far back as 2013, lawmakers have been proposing bills to legalize online poker, but their efforts so far have been unsuccessful. Live poker laws are less stringent as there are over 110 tribal casinos in Oklahoma with many of them offering in-person poker action. Despite this, online poker sites remain illegal and unregulated based on current Oklahoma laws. 

Why Not? What Are the Online Poker Laws in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma has more casinos than almost any other state. Many of these casinos have poker rooms where Oklahomans can play live poker games in person. Yet, the state’s laws don't really support playing poker over the internet. 

According to Section 21-982  of Oklahoma statutes, Commercial gambling carries a felony charge punishable by up to 10 years of jail time. This law mainly applies to those who organize or promote gambling, not to players. The implication of this is that poker fans in Oklahoma can still play Oklahoma online poker on offshore gambling sites without getting into trouble with the law. But there are other risks that come with playing on these sites.

Offshore poker sites like ACR Poker are registered outside the US and do not fall under the gambling laws that prohibit gambling across the United States. Many offshore sites happily accept Oklahoma-based poker players.

However, players need to be careful when playing poker on offshore sites. Generally, MyPokerCoaching does not recommend playing poker on these sites. Offshore sites are not under the jurisdiction of US authorities. You may not even be playing a fair game (cheaters and bots abound) when you’re hitting the virtual felt on these sites. There are also no guarantees of getting your money, and, with no legal backing by US laws, it's hard to hold anyone accountable when you fail to get your payouts on these sites. 

Potential Oklahoma Poker Sites to Launch in the Future

Poker has been popular in Oklahoma 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 OK 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 OK, 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 Oklahoma

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 OK 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 Oklahoma

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, OK 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 Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma

The third OK 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.