If you’re looking to play poker online in Arkansas, it’s important to know that this state does not currently offer any regulated real-money online poker. Since there is currently no legislation being pushed on this matter, the issue is unlikely to change anytime soon.
Nevertheless, players can still explore online poker options such as sweepstakes poker or offshore poker sites that operate outside state regulations.
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Great casino offer Whether you want to explore real-money online poker or play for real-money prizes on sweepstakes websites, you’ve come to the right place. On this page, we’ll provide a comprehensive rundown of the best options on both fronts, along with other important details.
Can I Play Online Poker in Arkansas?
Yes, you can play online poker in Arkansas, albeit not on any state-licensed online poker platform, as there aren’t any yet. Instead, you can play on sweepstakes poker sites and offshore online poker platforms that operate outside of the state’s regulation and legislation.
Arkansas Online Poker Facts
| Available options | Sweepstakes operators & offshore sites |
| State-regulated poker sites | Not available |
| Age limit for Arkansas online poker | 18+ |
| Best AR poker site | CoinPoker |
Best Online Poker Sites in Arkansas
If you try playing at one of the big-name platforms like PokerStars, WSOP, or another big provider, you unfortunately won’t get far. That said, there are still luckily a number of reputable offshore poker sites and sweepstakes poker platforms you can play on.
#1. CoinPoker – Best Overall For Players in Arkansas
CoinPoker is a cryptocurrency-based online poker platform that offers a wide variety of real-money games to players in Arkansas. The site provides a rewarding welcome bonus for new signups, while ongoing users can earn a 33% weekly rakeback through its CHP token accumulation.
CoinPoker also emphasizes security and fairness, leveraging blockchain technology to ensure game integrity and transparency. Its combination of modern crypto mechanics, low fees, and reliable gameplay makes it the best overall choice for Arkansas players interested in a decentralized, secure, and innovative online poker experience.
#2 ClubWPT Gold – Customizable Software on a Trusted Platform
Operated by the World Poker Tour, ClubWPT Gold is a sweepstakes-style online poker platform. With very soft games, it’s a prime choice for players who want to relax and play for fun, without taking poker too seriously.
ClubWPT offers a highly customizable platform, with features such as customizable bet sliders, player statistics, and table management tools. The mobile and desktop versions work equally well, and you can find both cash games and tournaments around the clock.
#3. Stake US – Wide Selection of Games
Stake.us Poker is one of the best legal sweepstakes-style online poker platforms available to Arkansas players. It offers a wide variety of poker games, including cash games, sit-and-go tournaments, and multi-table tournaments.
It offers a generous welcome bonus, 5% lifetime rakeback, and a smooth web-based interface compatible with desktops and mobile devices. However, unlike many other sweepstakes poker sites, it accepts cryptocurrency-only payments, which may be a barrier for some users.
Free Poker vs Real-Money Games
The main difference between sweepstakes and real-money poker is that the latter is cash-based and legally undefined in Arkansas. Real-money poker games require strict state regulation, while sweepstakes sites are federally compliant and therefore widely available nationwide.
With that in mind, this is where the legal workaround sweepstakes poker sites offer comes into play, making these platforms available in states where online poker is prohibited or undefined.
Namely, on sweepstakes poker sites, players buy virtual currencies like Gold Coins for fun play and receive Sweeps Coins as bonuses, which can be redeemed for cash prizes. In other words, they are technically entering sweepstakes rather than wagering cash directly.
Sweepstakes Model Explained
The system typically uses two types of virtual currency, Gold Coins (GC) and Sweeps Coins (SC). Gold Coins are purchased or earned in-game and are used purely for entertainment purposes. They cannot be redeemed for cash. Sweeps Coins, on the other hand, are received as a bonus when you purchase Gold Coins or through certain promotions.
To illustrate, imagine you buy $50 worth of Gold Coins. Along with that purchase, the site provides 50 Sweeps Coins as a bonus. You can use Gold Coins to practice or play casual games, while the Sweeps Coins allow you to enter tournaments or cash games where real cash prizes are awarded.
Let’s say that you won a few games or won 100 SC in a tournament. If the site’s redemption rate is $1 per 1 SC, you can cash out $100. So while you might have withdrawn a real cash price, legally, the $50 spent was used only for entertainment currency. So, you weren’t directly wagering cash, which keeps the platform compliant with sweepstakes regulations.
Regulation Landscape in Arkansas
The state’s approach to gambling has historically been conservative, focusing primarily on land-based casinos operated by Native American tribes, the state lottery, and pari-mutuel horse racing. Real-money online poker does not fall under any of these regulated frameworks.
In early 2025, HB 1861 was introduced, proposing the legalization of online casino games, including online poker. However, it faced immediate opposition from influential state figures and was shelved before reaching committee hearings.
As a result, real-money online poker was left in a legal gray area for Arkansas residents. Given the state’s current political climate and the strength of tribal gaming interests, it seems unlikely that Arkansas will regulate online poker in the near future.