As a poker player from Connecticut, you might find the state’s current online poker landscape a bit frustrating. The state has taken steps in the right direction, legalizing online poker in 2021, but even years later, no state-licensed sites are operating.
Still, you can enjoy online poker by signing up with a sweepstakes poker site or an offshore poker platform.
Big welcome bonus
33% rakeback
Action packed games
Leading crypto site 
Very soft games
Free SC every day
Legal in the US
Trusted brand 
Super-soft games
5% instant rakeback
Quality web-based software
Great casino offer Both options present great alternatives, so picking between them only comes down to your preferences.
On this page, we’ve prepared our recommendations for the best online poker sites in Connecticut, along with everything you need to know about the legality of online poker in The Constitution State.
Can I Play Online Poker in Connecticut?
Connecticut law allows online poker, but no real-money platforms are active. Until one of the state’s two tribes legalized to launch an online poker site creates an online poker platform, Connecticut residents can only play real-money poker on offshore sites or on sweepstakes poker platforms.
Connecticut Online Poker Facts
| Available options | Sweepstakes operators & offshore sites |
| State-regulated poker sites | Not available |
| Age limit for Connecticut online poker | 21+ |
| Best CT poker site | CoinPoker |
Best Online Poker Sites in Connecticut
Since Connecticut poker players can’t explore state-regulated options, we’ve compiled the best sweepstakes/offshore poker site alternatives. Here are our top three picks for the best online poker sites in Connecticut:
#1. CoinPoker – The Best Pick for Connecticut Players
Until Connecticut introduces a state-regulated online poker site, CoinPoker will remain the top choice for players in this state to play real-money online poker. In our opinion, this offshore poker site has everything you would look for in a top provider, ranging from its rich tournament schedule, rewarding rakeback offer, and all-around great poker software.
The only potential drawback of the site is that it only accepts crypto transactions. While this might deter some potential signups, we’ve found that the selection of crypto payment options on CoinPoker still provides a great variety.
#2 ClubWPT Gold – Best Sweepstakes Pick For CT Players
ClubWPT Gold delivers a legal sweepstakes-poker experience in Connecticut, backed by the well-known WPT brand and offering very soft competition, making it ideal for recreational players. Although some players might find its software limiting, if you’re looking for an easy-to-access poker experience with loose games, it’s a strong choice.
The site’s platform is streamlined and easy to use, so deposits and withdrawals are hassle-free. It recently introduced a multi-tabling option, and since it is still a very young site, we can expect additional improvements that will only make it better.
#3. Stake US – Superb Cryptocurrency Sweepstakes Site
Stake US offers a sleek, modern sweepstakes experience with a huge variety of poker games and frequent bonus offers. As this sweepstakes poker site accepts only cryptocurrency, players praise its smooth deposits and fast withdrawals.
While it might not satisfy high-stakes competitors, Stake US is great for beginners due to its low prize redemption threshold and 5% lifetime rakeback. Moreover, it also features a great casino platform, providing additional value to players who like to explore more gambling games besides poker.
Free Poker vs Real-Money Games
Sweepstakes poker sites operate under U.S. sweepstakes law rather than gambling law. You don’t use real cash when betting, but the site’s virtual coins. From a legal perspective, this means that you are entering promotional contests rather than gambling with cash.
Offshore poker sites, on the other hand, function like traditional real-money poker rooms. Players deposit actual money into their accounts, use it to buy into cash games or tournaments, and withdraw winnings in the same currency.
These real-money poker sites typically offer larger player pools, more game variations, and larger prize pools than sweepstakes platforms, but they lack the consumer protections and oversight that regulated, state-licensed operators provide.
Sweepstakes Model Explained
When playing on a sweepstakes poker site, players purchase virtual currency instead of buying chips with cash. These are usually called Gold Coins and are used solely for entertainment. As a bonus with their purchase, they receive a second currency, Sweeps Coins, which can be used to play poker games offering real cash prizes.
You can use the Gold Coins for fun games that don’t award prizes, but if you switch to Sweeps Coin tables, you can win more Sweeps Coins. Suppose you start with 20 Sweeps Coins when you sign up and deposit, and after a few tournaments, you win 100 Sweeps Coins total.
At that point, you can redeem your Sweeps Coins for real money, usually at a 1:1 ratio, meaning that you would get $100 for 100 Sweeps Coins. The site then processes your withdrawal to your bank account, PayPal, or another method of your choice.
Regulation Landscape in Connecticut
Back in May 2021, Connecticut passed House Bill 6451, which legalized online gaming, including online poker, for the first time in the state. Under this law, the state’s two federally recognized tribes, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and the Mohegan Tribe, were granted exclusive rights to offer online casino games and poker.
Despite legal authorization, no licensed real-money online poker platforms are currently operating in Connecticut. One of the key obstacles to this coming to fruition is the size of the player pool. With a relatively small population compared to other U.S. states, Connecticut faces challenges making online poker commercially viable unless it can pool players with other jurisdictions.