Is Poker Home Games Legal? Laws in All 50 States (2026)

Quick Answer

Poker Home Games is legal in 41 states as of 2026. It's banned in 7 states and restricted with conditions in 2. Laws vary significantly — what's perfectly fine in one state can carry criminal penalties next door.

41 Legal

2 Restricted

7 Illegal

Last verified: April 2026 · About our research

Poker Home Games Legality Map

Legal

Restrictions

Illegal

Unverified

All 50 States

State	Status	Summary
Alabama	LEGAL	Social poker home games are generally legal in Alabama when played among friends without a house rake.	Details →
Alaska	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in Alaska as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No significant cha...	Details →
Arizona	ILLEGAL	Poker home games exist in a legal gray area in Arizona. No significant changes to social gambling laws in recent years.	Details →
Arkansas	ILLEGAL	Poker home games exist in a legal gray area in Arkansas. No recent changes to the strict gambling laws.	Details →
California	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in California as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. California out...	Details →
Colorado	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in Colorado as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No significant c...	Details →
Connecticut	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in Connecticut as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No significan...	Details →
Delaware	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in Delaware as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No significant c...	Details →
Florida	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in Florida as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No significant ch...	Details →
Georgia	ILLEGAL	Poker home games exist in a legal gray area in Georgia. There have been no recent changes to Georgia's strict gambling l...	Details →
Hawaii	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in Hawaii as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No significant cha...	Details →
Idaho	ILLEGAL	Poker home games exist in a legal gray area in Idaho. No significant changes have been made to Idaho's strict gambling l...	Details →
Illinois	ILLEGAL	Poker home games exist in a legal gray area in Illinois. No significant changes have been made to Illinois gambling laws...	Details →
Indiana	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in Indiana as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. A 2026 law banned...	Details →
Iowa	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in Iowa as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No recent changes to...	Details →
Kansas	ILLEGAL	Poker home games exist in a legal gray area in Kansas. No significant changes to the laws regarding social gambling.	Details →
Kentucky	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in Kentucky as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No significant c...	Details →
Louisiana	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in Louisiana as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No recent chang...	Details →
Maine	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in Maine as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. Maine legalized onl...	Details →
Maryland	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in Maryland as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. The law legalizi...	Details →
Massachusetts	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in Massachusetts as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No signific...	Details →
Michigan	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in Michigan as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No significant c...	Details →
Minnesota	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in Minnesota as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No recent chang...	Details →
Mississippi	ILLEGAL	Poker home games exist in a legal gray area in Mississippi. No significant changes have been made to Mississippi's stric...	Details →
Missouri	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in Missouri as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No significant c...	Details →
Montana	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in Montana as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. Montana banned al...	Details →
Nebraska	RESTRICTED	Poker Home Games is legal with restrictions in Nebraska. Games must be among friends in a private setting.	Details →
Nevada	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in Nevada as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No significant cha...	Details →
New Hampshire	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in New Hampshire as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No signific...	Details →
New Jersey	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in New Jersey as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No significant...	Details →
New Mexico	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in New Mexico as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No significant...	Details →
New York	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in New York as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No significant c...	Details →
North Carolina	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in North Carolina as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. A bill to ...	Details →
North Dakota	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in North Dakota as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No recent ch...	Details →
Ohio	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in Ohio as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No significant chang...	Details →
Oklahoma	RESTRICTED	Poker Home Games is legal with restrictions in Oklahoma. Games must be among friends in a private setting.	Details →
Oregon	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in Oregon as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. A 2017 law require...	Details →
Pennsylvania	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in Pennsylvania as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No significa...	Details →
Rhode Island	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in Rhode Island as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. A bill to re...	Details →
South Carolina	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in South Carolina as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No signifi...	Details →
South Dakota	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in South Dakota as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No significa...	Details →
Tennessee	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in Tennessee as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No significant ...	Details →
Texas	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in Texas as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No significant chan...	Details →
Utah	LEGAL	Social poker home games are generally legal in Utah when played among friends without a house rake.	Details →
Vermont	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in Vermont as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No significant ch...	Details →
Virginia	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in Virginia as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No significant c...	Details →
Washington	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in Washington as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No significant...	Details →
West Virginia	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in West Virginia as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No signific...	Details →
Wisconsin	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in Wisconsin as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No significant ...	Details →
Wyoming	LEGAL	Social poker home games are legal in Wyoming as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. A new law in Marc...	Details →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hosting home poker games legal in the United States?

How many states allow poker home games?

As of 2026, poker home games is legal in 41 states, restricted with conditions in 2 states, and illegal in 7 states. Use the map and table on this page to check your specific state.

What happens if you get caught with poker home games in a state where it's illegal?

Penalties range from civil fines to felony charges depending on the state. Some states treat first offenses as misdemeanors with small fines, while others classify possession as a felony carrying prison time. Check the specific state page for exact penalties, charge levels, and enforcement likelihood.

Can you travel across state lines with poker home games?

Crossing state lines changes which laws apply. If poker home games is legal in your home state but illegal in the state you're entering, you can face criminal charges the moment you cross the border. Always check the laws of every state on your route.