US Poker Deposit

Playing US poker online for real money is a grey area for online poker sites, millions of US players download and deposit at US online poker sites every day. Traffic has risen steadily at poker rooms that allow US players since the UIGEA was passed in 2006, which some say made real money online poker deposits in the United States illegal. One thing is for sure, in 2010 we are seeing a lot of debate emerge and it certainly seems like the conversation has shifted towards legalizing online poker in the USA.

US Poker Deposit Options

Some players continue to have a tough time depositing and funding poker site accounts. It certainly seems that online poker in the United States will be completely regulated and legalized soon, but until the situation involving online poker in the US is reasonably clarified, we are committed to keeping this page updated with a current list of US poker sites, deposit options at US poker rooms, and current cashout situations at USA poker websites that accept real money deposits.

Depositing At US Online Poker Sites

In addition to tracking current US deposit methods I will also use this page to issue any player warnings regarding poker rooms that are having a tough time cashing out poker winnings for players from the US in a timely manner. I keep a current list of "reccomended US poker sites", and I only reccomend poker rooms that are easy and safe to deposit at. Scroll down to find the best US poker deposit methods listed, on each deposit option review page, you will find details on fees and cashout times at each wallet or US accepted poker site.

Not every poker site allowing US player deposits makes our list, instead we will only list the "Top US poker rooms" based on easy deposit options with fair fees, and cashout methods that are fast and reliable with reasonable fees.

Best US Poker Sites

Below is my list of the best US poker sites to play at, there is a couple dozen other USA poker rooms but traffic is so low they really aren't worth depositing on for most players. Each site reccomended below is easy to deposit at and issues fast payouts of withdrawals.   We verify withdrawals regularly at each of these poker sites for US players.

PokerStars.com and FullTiltPoker.com remain the most popular sites in the entire world (and the USA) due mostly to frequent player promotions and great first deposit bonuses, and both sites continue to offer Instant E-check payments and withdrawals.  The best sites to deposit with Credit Cards from the United States continues to be Ultimate Bet and Absolute Poker, both sites also accept echecks.  Doyles Room and Bodog are improving deposit methods and payouts month to month. All US poker sites I mentioned above are providing cashouts faster than ever before.   Click on any link below to read reviews on games, deposit bonus information, and accepted payment methods for US players.

There is several other poker rooms accepting US players, but the deposit and cashout situation is marginal and network traffic to low to really be worth reccomending playing at when US players have so many solid options to choose from above.  We might update this page with more information on each of the rooms accepting US poker deposits - with specific reccomendations on whether these rooms are safe as a US poker option for the players.

Current US Poker Deposit Options

Deposit options for US poker players come and go, but for the most part US poker players are able to get money into online player accounts without too much hassle.  Instant echeck poker deposits and rooms with credit card approval rates continue to lead the pack.  Below is a current list of deposit methods for US poker players, I try to keep it as current as possible.  In general, I reccomend using a Visa debit card to deposit, but there is a few ewallets and cash transfer services players can use who have difficulties with echecks or using a card.

• Echeck Poker Sites
• MoneyGram Poker Sites
• Diners Club Online Poker
• Western Union
• Cash Transfer

Credit Card Deposit Options At US Poker Sites

Credit cards work most of the time when depositing at a US poker room, players occasionally use a bank that flags gaming transactions because of a high rate of fraud.  Debit cards have a much higher rate of success but since credit card poker deposits are extremely convenient it's always the first thing I try to use.   US Players who's credit cards are still getting rejected should try www.betonline.com

US poker Players who want to make a poker deposit with American Express can do it at www.betonlinepoker.com

I haven't tested personally in awhile, but Doyles Room and Bodog both report to us that credit card deposits are working well and approved most of the time.

Debit Card Deposit Options At US Poker Rooms

Debit cards seem to be working at all sites, including Poker Stars.  Greatest success comes with using debit cards with Visa logo, and not issued by Bank Of America. Debit cards are working great at www.bodog.com as well!

Prepaid Credit Card Deposit Options At USA Poker Sites

All Access PrePaid Gift Cards  are working as a deposit option at FullTilt and PokerStars.

Not all of these US Poker Deposit Options are reccomended, the above list is just what is actually available for US poker players looking to deposit funds into online poker rooms. The echeck option at PokerStars is free, and is definately the best current option for US poker players to for depositing.

US Poker Cashout And Withdrawing Options

Now, onto cashout options at US poker sites - most of these methods charge a fee we think is a bit too high. However, paper checks are coming fast and anywhere from free to $25 charges - with most poker sites charging $5 or $10 to issue a check (pokerstars check cashouts are free and fast, usually arriving in just 3-4 days). Players who like to move money around from site to site will find a couple of the e-wallets useful, and we hope to update this page soon with more information on deposit fees at each site and option, as well as any cashout or transfer fees so you can maximize the money you play with and concentrate on winning, not wasting time figuring out how to deposit and play poker from the U.S.

Current US Poker Sites Cashout Options

Cashing out and withdrawing your winnings is not being affected by the current situation it seems, the temporary glitch PokeStars and FullTilt Poker had was from the processor that handled the echecks started having problems.  Both sites have quickly paid players back plus a cash bonus for the hassle.  Remind your congressman that poker is not illegal on election day.

• Check By Mail
• Check by Courrier (Fedex)
• Bankwire
• Click2Pay - no new accounts allowed, but still in use by old US clients.
• EwalletXpress
• UseMyWallet
• MoneyGram
• Western Union
• Cash Transfer
• echeck

Right now we're going to get back to work on researching and updating this page on US poker deposit options to make it a solid point of reference for all US poker depositing players. We hope to have more info daily, until then feel free to bookmark us and click around the site. If you would like to help us by submitting information or reviews on US poker sites and US poker deposit options - we'd be really happy to post the information and help other players out, just don't hesitate to drop us a line to let us know.

Is US Poker Depositing Legal?

Playing Poker is not illegal from the United States, except in a few states where it is considered by many an unenforcable law. It is a felony to play online poker in Washington, but several professionals play there openly, one man recently played online poker on the capital steps to make a point. There is 12 other states in the US that  are rough on poker players, but it is not illegal to deposit and play online poker in the US. There is an argument that it's illegal for your bank to allow the deposit yes, but it's hazy at best. Please check with your local laws before playing online poker, by viewing this website you agree not to break any laws at our reccomendation, as we are not advising you to break the law in the event that online poker is actually deemed to be illegal - which is flat out not the case.  US poker regulation and laws are largely seen as a state by state issue, but nobody has EVER been prosecuted for playing online poker that we know of, and if you know of a case we'd like to hear about it.  As always, play at your own risk and please don't consider anything said here is legal advice or an endorsement of any illegal activities.  Always check your local laws before playing poker online for real money.

More US Legal Poker Info And Resources:

UIGEA - Wikipedia entry on the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act Of 2006 (otherwise known as the safe port act).

To submit info email us at PokerDepositOptions (AT) Gmail.com, this page was last updated March 30th, 2010

Disclaimer: PokerDepositOptions.com is not associated with any company listed on our pages, we only operate as a directory and informational source for players interested in online poker.  Nothing said on our pages should be read as law or even claimed as fact, gambling may be illegal in your jurisdiction.  We do not condone any illegal behavior or activity on this website.