Is Online Poker Legal in Virginia in 2026?

No, Virginia doesn’t license any online poker sites. Sweepstakes poker rooms such as ClubWPT Gold and Stake.us still accept Virginia players, and so does the offshore site CoinPoker. A sweepstakes ban was put off to 2027 while the state studies the industry.

Last updated: October 29th, 2026

Where Virginia Players Can Play Online Today

Virginia doesn’t have a state-licensed poker site, but three rooms on our list accept sign-ups from the state.

4.55 / 5
United States is accepted
Sign Up Bonus
150% up to $2,000
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Card Bitcoin
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PC copy
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#1
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Promotions
green check Big welcome bonus
green check Rewards: $7M+/month
green check Action packed games
green check Card and crypto deposits
Visit https://pokercoaching.com/poker-sites/coinpoker-signup
4.45 / 5
United States is accepted
Sign Up Bonus
Free "How To Crush ClubWPT Gold Games" course
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POKERCOACHING copy
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#2
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green check Very soft games
green check Hand Analysis tool
green check Legal in the US
green check Trusted brand
Visit https://pokercoaching.com/poker-sites/clubwptgold-signup
4.3 / 5
United States is accepted
Sign Up Bonus
25 SC FREE welcome bonus
Payments
Bitcoin
Devices
Apple Windows Android
POKERCOACHING copy
Promo Code
Review
#3
Security
Software
Competition
Promotions
green check Super-soft games
green check 3.5% rakeback via our link
green check Quality web-based software
green check Great casino offer
Visit https://pokercoaching.com/poker-sites/stakeus-signup

CoinPoker is an offshore site. It runs cash games and tournaments around the clock, and you can deposit by card or crypto.

ClubWPT Gold is the World Poker Tour’s sweepstakes poker site. Virginia isn’t on its list of restricted states.

Stake.us is a sweepstakes casino with a poker room. Virginia isn’t on its list of excluded states.

The current offers and codes are in the boxes above.

CoinPoker is an offshore site. It isn’t licensed by Virginia or any other US state, so the Virginia Lottery can’t help you if you have a dispute. Only deposit what you’re comfortable having on a site without state oversight.

Virginia Online Poker at a Glance

State-licensed online pokerNo
Sweepstakes pokerAvailableNo ban yet. ClubWPT Gold and Stake.us accept Virginia players. A ban bill returns in 2027
Offshore sitesAvailableNot licensed in Virginia
Live pokerYesLegal at licensed commercial casinos
Minimum age21
RegulatorVirginia Lottery, which oversees casinos and sports betting
Last changeMarch 2026, online casino bills died, with a state sweepstakes study due December 1, 2026

How Sweepstakes Poker Works

Sweepstakes poker sites use two currencies. One is for fun only, and you can buy more of it in packs.

The other is a sweepstakes currency you get free with those packs, through promotions or by mail. Winnings in that currency can be redeemed for cash prizes once you’ve verified your account.

ClubWPT Gold works differently. It moved away from the two-coin setup in 2025 and now uses a single currency called Chips, tied to a poker training membership.

Because you never have to buy anything to play for prizes, the sites say they run legal sweepstakes rather than gambling. Virginia lawmakers have questioned that, which is why a ban is on the table for 2027.

What Changed for Online Poker in Virginia

Virginia came close to changing its online gambling laws in 2026. In the end nothing passed, but both online casinos and sweepstakes are back on the agenda next year.

  • March 2026. HB 161 and SB 118, which would have legalized online casino games through Virginia’s land-based casinos, died after the House and Senate couldn’t agree on a final version. Source, PokerNews, March 19, 2026
  • February 2026. The Senate Courts of Justice Committee voted 14 to 1 to carry SB 579, a bill to treat online sweepstakes games as illegal gambling, over to 2027 and ordered the study instead. The original bill set civil penalties of $10,000 to $100,000 per violation. Source, iGaming Today, February 13, 2026

The Virginia Lottery Board work group on online sweepstakes games is due to report to lawmakers by December 1, 2026. Source, Covers, August 17, 2026

For now, no Virginia law bans sweepstakes poker, and the state hasn’t sent cease and desist letters to the sites we list.

If a ban passes in 2027, the rooms that accept Virginia today could leave. We’ll update this page the day that happens.

Can I Play PokerStars, WSOP or GGPoker in Virginia?

No. PokerStars, WSOP Online and BetMGM Poker only run in states that license online poker, and Virginia isn’t one of them. GGPoker doesn’t accept US players at all.

You can play on licensed sites while you’re physically inside a state that has them. West Virginia borders Virginia and has licensed online poker. See our West Virginia poker guide. Delaware, a few hours from Northern Virginia, is another option. See our Delaware poker guide.

Live Poker in Virginia

Live poker has been legal in Virginia since commercial casinos were approved in 2020, after local votes in the host cities. Rooms we know of today include these.

  • Rivers Casino Portsmouth in Portsmouth
  • Caesars Virginia in Danville
  • Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Bristol in Bristol

Newer casino projects in Norfolk and Petersburg may add poker over time. Check with each casino before you go.

You need to be 21 to play.

Will Virginia Legalize Online Poker?

It’s possible, but not in 2026. Both chambers passed online casino bills this year, which is further than most states get. They died when the House and Senate couldn’t agree on a final version.

The 2027 session opens on January 13, 2027. Online casino gaming and the sweepstakes ban are both likely to come back.

Even if a bill passes, launch would take time. One House version in 2026 would have pushed it to 2028. We check this page every month and we’ll update it as soon as anything moves.

Nearby States

Train Now, Play Anywhere

Virginia’s online options could change in 2027, but your game doesn’t have to wait. Study now and you’ll be ready for the casino rooms in Portsmouth, Danville and Bristol, or whatever comes online next.

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FAQ

Is online poker legal in Virginia?

Virginia doesn’t license any online poker sites. Sweepstakes poker rooms and offshore sites accept Virginia players, but none of them is approved by the state.

Can you play online poker for real money in Virginia?

Not on a state-regulated site, because there isn’t one. Offshore rooms such as CoinPoker take real money deposits, and sweepstakes sites let you redeem prizes for cash.

Are sweepstakes poker sites legal in Virginia?

No Virginia law bans them today. A ban bill, SB 579, was carried over to the 2027 session, and a state study is due December 1, 2026.

Is Virginia banning sweepstakes casinos?

Not yet. Lawmakers put the ban off to 2027 and asked the Virginia Lottery Board for a study first.

Can I play ClubWPT Gold in Virginia?

Yes. Virginia isn’t on ClubWPT Gold’s list of restricted states.

Is Stake.us available in Virginia?

Yes. Virginia isn’t on the list of excluded states in Stake.us’s terms.

Is CoinPoker legal in Virginia?

CoinPoker isn’t licensed in Virginia. It’s an offshore site that accepts sign-ups from the state. Virginia’s gambling laws weren’t written with online players in mind, and we aren’t lawyers. What’s certain is that you don’t get state protection there.

Can I play PokerStars or WSOP Online in Virginia?

No. They only operate in states that license online poker. You can play licensed sites while you’re physically in a state such as West Virginia or Delaware.

What’s the legal gambling age in Virginia?

It’s 21 at casinos and for sports betting.

Where can I play live poker in Virginia?

At commercial casinos, including Rivers Casino Portsmouth, Caesars Virginia in Danville and Hard Rock Bristol.

When will Virginia legalize online poker?

Online casino bills passed both chambers in 2026 but died in the final negotiations. They’re expected back in the 2027 session, which starts January 13, 2027.

21+ only. Gambling can be addictive. If it’s causing problems for you or someone you know, call the Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-888-532-3500. This page contains affiliate links, and we may earn a commission if you sign up through them. That never decides which sites we list, which only depends on whether a site accepts players from Virginia.

author avatar
Jonathan Little
Jonathan Little is a two-time WPT champion and WSOP bracelet winner with $9M+ in tournament earnings, and the founder of PokerCoaching.com. He helps players identify leaks and turn strategy into consistent results through a structured system.
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