Washington DC Poker – Compare the Best Real Money Poker Sites in WA

Can I play poker online in DC?

Yes. Players in DC will be able to enjoy online poker at a number of legit casinos such as the ones we’ve listed in this guide.

Is poker legal in Washington DC?

No. Online poker casinos are not permitted to operate from within the state.

Can you gamble online in Washington DC?

Yes. There are a lot of offshore casinos that openly accept players from Washington DC.

Comparing Poker Sites in Washington DC

When we started looking for the best Washington DC online poker sites we took a number of things into consideration. For example, we looked at whether or not players have access to qualifiers and freerolls as well as how many virtual poker games are available and what rewards can be claimed by newly registered users. Below we’ve provided more information about the casinos on our list to give you an idea about what to expect when you decide to register.

Is Online Poker Legal in Washington DC?

Although the legal gambling age in Washington DC is 18, many players are forced to wait until they turn at least 21 before they will be allowed to enter certain land-based casinos in WA which is one of the reasons players have started exploring the world of online gambling. Over the last few years, we noticed that more and more players are starting to become curious about the various offshore sites available to poker fans in Washington. However, there are a few that remain skeptical due to the laws around online gambling in the state.

In 2010, a bill was introduced that if passed would legalize online poker, however, it failed in the Supreme Court which means that online poker casinos are still not permitted to offer services to players in this state. But what you probably didn’t know is that although there are federal laws that state offshore casinos may not offer services to those living in certain states, there is no mention of it being illegal for players to place bets at these sites.

Even though WA’s laws have made it clear that online gambling at local online poker sites is illegal, you will still be able to enjoy online games, tournaments, and bonuses without fear of breaking the law when you register at the best offshore casinos that welcome Washington DC players, like the ones we’ve reviewed, for example.

Washington DC Poker Laws

Despite the attempt to legalize online gambling in 2010, there seems to be no indication that this state will allow online poker casinos to launch any time soon. However, players still have a number of legal gambling opportunities they’re able to participate in. To help you get an idea about what is and isn’t permitted when it comes to gambling in this state, we’ve listed a few important laws below.

• Land-Based Casinos: Land-based tribal casinos are legally allowed to operate within the state.
• Online Poker: No online poker sites are legally allowed to operate from within the state.
• Social Gambling: Players in this state can legally enjoy social gambling online.
• State Lottery: Lottery has been legal in this state since it was founded on the 15th of November, 1982.
• Charitable Gambling: There are a number of charitable gambling options that are legally allowed to be offered by qualifying organizations.

Can I Play at an Offshore Poker Room from Washington DC

When it comes to internet-based poker, you will find that there are hundreds of different options available to players all over the world. However, not all of them are able to offer legal online poker opportunities to players who live in Washington DC. In order to stop players who live in specific locations from registering, online operators use geolocation checks to track IP addresses. If this technology finds that you’re attempting to create an account from a location that is specifically mentioned as a restricted area in the site’s terms and conditions you will find yourself blocked from accessing the casino.

However, many players that don’t know about the number of legal offshore casinos that accept WA gamblers choose to risk using a VPN to access a restricted site. Even though this may work at first, if you get caught you will lose any money you’ve won and perhaps your deposited funds as well. This is why it’s a better idea to register at legal online poker sites that encourage players in Washington DC to register, such as the ones we’ve listed in this article.

Legal Poker Sites vs Offshore Poker Sites

Players who live in this state will need to take extra care when searching for the best online poker casino as there are many scam sites out there that operate without a casino license. Here we look at how to tell which sites are legal as well as what the best offshore casinos do to make sure your information is always protected.

How Can I Tell the Difference Between a Legal and Offshore Poker Site?

At the moment, there are no state-regulated Washington DC poker rooms available online. This means that gamblers won’t be able to play it safe by simply seeking out online casinos that have the stamp of approval from local authorities. However, this doesn’t mean that you won’t get to enjoy exciting poker games at legitimate Washington DC online poker sites.

Most online casinos will have their license information displayed somewhere on the site and if not, you will be able to get this information from customer support. Although certain casinos allow players to view information about their gambling license by clicking on the logo itself if you play at a site that doesn’t give players this option you will be able to confirm whether or not they are truly legitimate by getting in touch with the regulatory body they claim to be licensed by.

Online Poker Safety & Fairness – Who Regulates Legal Poker Sites in Washington?

Being able to get the help you need when it comes to gambling online is important which is why you will find that all of the best Washington DC poker casinos as well as WA itself offer a number of ways for you to get assistance. For example, if you’d like to get in touch with a treatment provider in your area, you will be able to do so by making use of the Washington State Problem Gambling Helpline that can be found on the official Washington State Health Care Authority.

If you’d prefer to take part in online counseling sessions you will find that loads of professionals all over the world offer help via the internet. If you feel like all you’d like to do is control your gambling by setting spending and/or time limits, by closing your account for a specific time or indefinitely you should be able to get more information on how to go about doing this by getting in touch with customer support or by visiting your Washington DC online poker casino’s “Responsible Gambling” page.

Offshore Poker Sites in Washington DC – Are Offshore Poker Sites Safe for WA Players?

Many players have found themselves wondering if all offshore casinos are safe for players in Washington. Even though there are quite a few legal online poker casinos in Washington DC, there are a few out there that you should steer clear of. By playing at any of the offshore casinos we recommend you can rest easy knowing that they’ve put a number of features in place to make sure your information is protected at all times.

For example, these sites all use encryption technology to make sure that when you make payments, register for an account, or send documentation through to verify your account, no unauthorized third parties will be able to access your details.

Although DC laws state that those who knowingly transmit or receive gambling information over the internet are committing a felony, there seems to be confusion as to whether or not it extends to placing bets at offshore casinos. We believe that it’s because of this gray area that offshore sites are able to openly accept players from this state.

Will Washington DC be Ring-Fenced or Shared Player Pool?

If ever Washington made it legal for state-regulated poker casinos to open their doors to local gamblers, they’d need to determine whether they’d restrict players by ring-fencing or if they’d opt to become an official member of the MSIGA (Multi-State Internet Gaming Association). By choosing to ring-fence player pools, poker fans will only be legally allowed to compete against others living in Washington.

Although there are a number of reasons more and more states have begun exploring the possibility of becoming members of the MSIGA, there are a few advantages that come with ring-fencing. To help you determine which you personally think would be a good move for this state, we’ve provided a few pros and cons of ring-fencing below.

Perks of Ring-Fencing Player Pools

Although there are many that see ring fencing as a downfall because technically players face a number of restrictions, there are a few advantages that could make it worth it for the state. For example, operators can easily ensure that they adhere to specific state laws without worrying about the possibility of legal contradictions. This will also allow operators to offer payment options that are most popular in DC, and when it comes to site themes, bonuses and events they will easily be able to keep track of local trends that will give them the information they need to create a personalized poker experience specifically designed for WA players.

Drawbacks of Ring-Fencing Player Pools

The main problem players will face when it comes to ring-fencing is the lack of exposure as well as fewer tournaments and smaller prize pools. This is because local operators will find that their customer base is a lot smaller which makes it difficult to offer massive prizes and bigger tournaments as there will be only a select few people in DC that will actually participate in online poker events.

How to Play Online Poker in Washington DC

If you’re ready to start playing exciting games available at Washington DC poker rooms online but aren’t too sure which site is the most rewarding or how to go about creating an account then you’re in luck. Here we’ve provided a set of easy step-by-step instructions to guide you through the registration process at our number one recommended casino, BetOnline.

Step 1: Visit the BetOnline Casino Website

Open your desktop’s browser, make your way to the BetOnline Casino website and click on the “Join” button that can be found at the top-right part of the screen.

Step 2: Create Your Casino Account

To set up your account, enter the details required on the pop-up form including your date of birth and full name. Note that if you make any mistakes while entering details that will need to be verified at a later stage, you could face delays when the time comes to withdraw your winnings. Once you’re sure that no mistakes have been made, continue by clicking the “Create Account” button.

Step 3: Make a Deposit & Claim Your Bonus

To make your first deposit and claim that rewarding bonus, head on over to the “Banking” section of the casino where you will find a number of excellent payment methods under “Deposit Options”. Once you’ve chosen your preferred method, click the “Deposit Now” button, enter your information along with your promo code, deposit amount, and finalize the transaction.

Step 4: Start Playing Online Poker

You’re now ready to make your way to the “Poker” section of the site where you will find a number of rewarding ways to enjoy your favorite casino game.

Making Deposits & Withdrawals at Washington DC Poker Sites

The best Washington DC online poker casinos will always make sure that their players are able to make quick and easy transactions using a number of different options. Below we’ve provided a few examples of the methods you’ll find the next time you decide to gamble at the best WA poker sites.

Crypto at Poker Sites

Using crypto like Bitcoin and Ethereum to gamble online means that you will not only be able to enjoy instant deposits and withdrawals that come with zero transaction fees, but when you play at the best crypto Washington DC online poker sites, you can also expect to receive exclusive bonuses that won’t be available to players who opt for traditional methods.

eWallets at Poker Sites

Even though there are a few sites that will not allow deposits made using specific E-Wallets to qualify for deposit bonuses, many players still choose to gamble with methods like Neteller and Skrill. This is because no financial information needs to be shared, payments are processed quite quickly and each transaction comes with little to no fees. This is also an excellent option for players who prefer to set a gambling budget aside to avoid accidentally dipping into funds that were meant to be spent elsewhere.

Traditional Payment Methods

Almost all Washington DC online poker casinos will accept traditional methods like bank transfers and Visa/Master cards for both deposits and withdrawals. This is because it’s one of the main ways players make online transactions when they first begin exploring online poker. These methods boast excellent security features and because they’re so widely available, it’s a convenient way for many players to gamble online.

Poker Site Bonuses available for Washington DC Players

One of the major reasons that players in WA have decided to gamble at online casinos is because they’ll have access to the best online casino bonuses specifically designed for poker fans. And when you decide to register at any of the legal online poker casinos we recommend to players in Washington, you can be sure to find a wide variety of excellent offers, a few examples of which can be found below.

Match Deposit Bonuses

When you register at a new poker casino, most of the time you will have the chance to claim a signup bonus that will reward you with a deposit match. By claiming an offer like this, you will receive a portion of your initial deposit back in the form of bonus funds. For example, if you deposit $500 to claim an offer of 100% up to $2,000 you will receive $500 in bonus funds which gives you a total of $1,000 to enjoy. These bonuses can also be offered as a casino reload bonus to reward existing players and although it will work the same way, rewards for reloads are often a lot smaller compared to welcome bonuses.

No Deposit Bonuses

Even though no deposit bonuses are mostly used by new casinos as a way to compete for players’ attention, there are also Washington DC online poker casinos that will allow you to exchange loyalty points for rewards such as no deposit bonuses. This could reward you with anything from free bonus funds to free roll tickets. You should note that just because no deposit is needed to trigger these offers, you will probably still need to meet wagering requirements unless the bonus terms specifically state your offer is also a no-wagering bonus.

Free Roll Tickets

When it comes to participating in events, many Washington DC poker rooms online will require players to pay an entry fee. Although this is pretty standard and many players don’t mind paying the small fee, those who are new to online poker might end up shying away from participating specifically because of the fee. This is why there are loads of offshore sites that offer free roll tickets to players which allows them to participate in tournaments without having to pay an entry fee.

Playing on Washington DC Poker Apps & Mobile Sites

Many online gamblers will simply not consider a Washington DC online poker site that doesn’t offer them the chance to access games using their mobile device. This is why one of the first things we consider before recommending specific casinos is whether or not it offers one of the best real money casino apps. But even gambling on the go comes with a certain number of advantages and disadvantages that need to be taken into account before deciding to download the best poker app. Next, we take a look at a few of these points as well as how to download the app available at our number one recommended poker casino.

 

Mobile Poker Apps – Advantages & Disadvantages

Although there are many players out there who prefer to gamble on their mobile devices, no two people are the same and what could be seen as a small disadvantage to one player could be a deal-breaker for another. This is why we always recommend weighing out the pros and cons to determine whether or not it’s truly the better option for you. To help you out, we’ve listed a few of the common advantages and disadvantages you can expect if you choose to play poker on a downloadable app.

How to Download Poker Apps or Software

One of the main things we enjoyed most about our top Washington DC online poker casino is the fact that players will be able to take advantage of the numerous poker games and bonuses using their mobile browser or they can choose to download the mobile poker app for iOS and Android. If you’ve decided that you’d like to try gambling on the best poker app simply follow the step-by-step instructions below to get started.

• Make your way to BetOnline Casino’s website using your iOS or Android browser.
• Click on the “Poker” tab where you will find the “Download & Play” button.
• After clicking on the button, select either iOS or Android and wait as the ‘pokermobile.apk” downloads.
• Once downloaded, click on it and select “Install”.
• As soon as you’ve installed the app, you will be able to access the best poker games by simply clicking on the BetOnline logo on your home screen.

Tips for Playing Online Poker for Real Money in Washington DC

Poker is an exciting game that can be enjoyed at almost every online casino you stumble across, however, not every casino that offers poker will provide you with the best experience. If you’d like to play real money poker for the first time there are a number of points to think about before you get started. So, when you’re ready to enjoy gambling at Washington DC online poker casinos using real money, take the time to consider the following tips.

• Choose Your Casino Wisely: You should always take the time to compare various casinos to make sure you will be able to get the most out of your online poker experience. Make sure the site you register at offers a range of tournaments, cash games, virtual poker games as well as bonuses for both new and returning poker players.

• Make Use of Poker Bonuses: If you’d like to get more for less then the best thing to do is make sure you claim the poker bonuses available to online players at your chosen casino. Although these offers will usually come with wagering requirements, the best sites will offer reasonable requirements that can be met within a realistic period of time.

• Understand the Variants: Although most poker games require you to get the highest-ranking hand in order to win, there are a few key differences between poker variants that you should be aware of before you attempt to play them using real money. To get a better understanding of the rules of your chosen variant, look for a casino that offers that specific game as a virtual poker option that can be played for free.

• Don’t Play at Sites Using a VPN: There are so many different Washington DC online casinos that openly welcome poker players and these are the ones we recommend trying out. This is because registering at a restricted site using a VPN could result in you losing any deposited funds or winnings if you’re caught. And because official documents are required to confirm players’ identities, chances are you will be caught when the time comes to withdraw your winnings.

• Set Aside a Gambling Budget: This may seem pretty obvious, but you’d be surprised by just how many players end up spending more than they should have when they realize just how exciting online poker is. To avoid putting yourself under any unnecessary financial stress, ensure that you know exactly how much you can afford to gamble and if you exceed that amount, fold and walk away.

Playing Online Poker vs Poker Live in Washington DC

Online casinos know that in order to compete with the atmosphere that comes with playing poker at land-based locations they need to make sure there’s a lot more on offer for players. This is why you will find that by playing at the best Washington DC online poker casinos, you will have access to a wider variety of poker variants that can be played at any time of the day, the sites are always making sure that you have a number of ways to claim rewards and when it comes to tournaments you can expect to enjoy some of the most entertaining events with massive prizes up for grabs.

Online poker games are a lot more fast-paced compared to what you’ll experience at land-based poker casinos, and as an added bonus, you won’t need to reserve your spot way in advance just to enjoy a few quick rounds. What makes gambling online even better is the fact that it’s super convenient and instead of having to make your way to a physical casino, you can enjoy the ultimate poker experience within seconds from anywhere you are.

Live Poker in Washington DC – Casinos With Poker Rooms

Compared to other states, there aren’t many land-based live casino poker rooms available in WA. However, a few of the state’s tribal casinos do offer a number of popular poker games, and below we’ve listed more details about a few of them.

Lucky Eagle Casino

• Address: 12888 188th Ave, SW Rochester, WA 98579
• Opening hours: Sun-Thur: 2 p.m. – 12 a.m.; Fri-Sat: 12 p.m. – 4 a.m.

There may not be a designated poker room at this casino, however, there is still a lot to enjoy for local poker fans. When you decide to visit Lucky Eagle Casino, you’ll have the chance to play games like ultimate Texas hold’em and fortune pai gow poker. As an added bonus, these are progressive table games with jackpots that reach as high as $170,000.

Ilani Casino Resort

• Address: 1 Cowlitz Way, Ridgefield, WA 98642
• Opening hours: 24/7

Ilani resort is known for having the most table games in the region which is why you will find that there are over 74 table games available for Washington DC players. This means that you’ll get to enjoy a number of poker variants including ultimate Texas hold’em and pai gow poker. What makes it even better is that, unlike many poker casinos we’ve come across, these games can be enjoyed 24/7.

7 Cedars Casino

• Address: 270756 Hwy, 101 Sequim, WA 98382
• Opening hours: Wed, Thur + Sun: From 2 p.m.; Fri=Sat: From 4 p.m.

This casino does offer a few exciting variants for players to enjoy, however, when it comes to actually participating in these games you will need to sign up at specific times. For example, players who wish to play on a Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday will need to sign up from 9 a.m. to play from 2 p.m., and gamblers who wish to wager and win on Friday and Saturday will need to sign up at 9 a.m. to play at 4 p.m.

Northern Quest Casino

• Address: 100 N. Hayford Rd, Airway Heights, WA 99001
• Opening hours: Mon-Sun: 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.

This casino actually does boast a quality poker room for gamblers in Washington DC and what’s great is that you will be able to enjoy games all week. By choosing to play poker at this casino you will get to enjoy variants such as Texas hold’em and Omaha poker. However, to get your name on the Live List, you will need to call the number displayed on the “Poker” page that can be found on the casino’s official website.

Silver Reef Casino

• Address: 4876 Haxton Way Ferndale, WA 98428
• Opening hours: Mon-Thur: 7 a.m. – 2 a.m.; Fri-Sun: 24 Hours

At this tribal casino, you will find that there are 15 table games available to Washington gamblers including a number of poker variants including Texas hold’em, four card poker, and pai gow poker. If you’re a new poker player you will be pleased to find that on the website there are guides on how to play these variants so that you’re fully prepared when the time comes to start your gambling fun at Silver Reef.

Famous Washington DC Poker Players

Because land-based poker isn’t as popular in DC as it is in many other states due to the limited number of quality poker rooms, it probably comes as no surprise that there aren’t a whole lot of professional poker players that have managed to become some of the best players in the world. However, there are a few well-known poker players from this state and below we’ve provided a little more information about them.

• Scott Clements: Scott is one of the most well-known poker players in DC and since he started playing has had 62 money finishes in the WSOP, won 3 bracelets and as of 2018, his total live tournament winnings were well over $7,650,000 with 56 cashes at the WSOP accounting for $2,800,000+.

• Cole South: This poker player is not only an up-and-coming professional gambler but also an author. He’s enjoyed two cashes at WSOP events and has managed to rake in over $76,000. Although this isn’t as much as what seasoned professionals have received over time, it seems like a pretty good start for this young player.

• Adam White: With just over $609,375 in live tournament winnings, this DC player started exploring poker back in 2004. Although the young gambler has only just started gaining attention in the poker community in DC, if he continues playing professional poker he may become the next Washington poker star in the future.

The Best Poker Site in Washington DC

BetOnline has become one of the most popular online poker casinos in the US, and after exploring all of the rewards and entertainment options available specifically for poker players, it’s safe to say that it deserves its spot at the top of our recommended poker casinos for DC gamblers. You will be able to enjoy a variety of poker games, tournaments, and rewarding bonuses by downloading the poker app for iOS and Android.

This is also a really good site for beginners as you will be able to enjoy numerous variants in demo mode before deciding which to play for real money and if you’re not too familiar with the various hand rankings you will be able to learn all you need to know by checking out their in-depth guide. Whether you’re looking for generous bonuses, rewarding tournaments, or are keen on just playing a few virtual games you’ll find that BetOnline Casino has exactly what you’re looking for and more.