While North Dakota has yet to regulate online poker or online casino gambling, plenty of offshore North Dakota online poker sites are available to players. These sites offer the top poker variants in cash game and tournament formats in a safe environment for North Dakota residents.
In this guide, you’ll learn the laws governing online poker and gambling in the Peace Garden State. If you’re not sure which poker room is best for you, we will help you with recommendations and information.
Online Poker Legality Snapshot
Online Poker:
Available
Land Based Poker:
Available
Legal Gambling Age:
21
Poker Regulator:
North Dakota Lottery
Can You Play Online Poker for Real Money in North Dakota?
Yes, there are numerous sites in North Dakota where you can play online poker for real money. Offshore poker rooms offer a secure and safe environment where you can play online poker at a variety of stakes.
You'll discover a plethora of cash game options, tournaments with massive guarantees, and lucrative promotions that will help you build a sizeable bankroll.
Top Sites for Online Poker in North Dakota
There are numerous offshore North Dakota poker rooms offering juicy cash games and large tournament guarantees. Picking the best one can be challenging, so to help you get started, here are our picks for the top online poker rooms for North Dakotans.
High traffic with active cash games and tournaments.
100% up to $1,000 bonus with tournament tickets.
Fast crypto payments with no fees.
Many tournament options, including PKOs and Sunday Majors.
Min Deposit
10
Payout Speed
1 Day
Best for Poker Promotions
Promotions are front and center in North Dakota, and BetOnline makes the most of them. New players start with a $1,000 match bonus and eight step-tournament tickets. The Bad Beat Jackpot 2.0 offers 20% of the pot to anyone losing with Aces Full of Kings, and even those at the same stake level get a piece. Extras like the Weekly Poker Powerball, daily leaderboards, and Windfall sit & gos with jackpots up to $75K add lasting value for frequent grinders.
Large player pool, especially for cash games and tournaments
Best customer support and prompt payouts
Soft games
Min Deposit
10
Payout Speed
15 days
Best for Beginners
Getting started with online poker feels less intimidating in North Dakota when using Bovada. The interface is clean, and the Quick Seat feature simplifies table selection. Anonymous tables ensure fairness by using seat-based identifiers, reducing pressure. The site offers smooth deposits and withdrawals, with crypto payouts processed in 1–24 hours. The mobile web client retains all essential features, allowing focus on learning. With cash game stakes from $0.02/$0.05 to $10/$20 and a variety of tournaments, it’s great for mastering the basics.
Ignition brings balanced value to North Dakota with reliable tournament traffic, fast-fold Zone Poker, and 24/7 anonymous tables. Hold’em and Omaha cash games are always running, while weekly MTT guarantees exceed $2 million, including Sunday Triple Header events with solid overlays. Anonymous play keeps HUD users at bay, and mobile performance is smooth. For users wanting a mix of steady action and privacy, it’s one of the most consistent options on the market.
Comparing Online Poker Rooms Available in North Dakota
There are many sites where you can play online poker for real money in North Dakota. Here’s a chart of our top picks to help you decide if one of these sites is for you:
How We Select the Best Online Poker Sites in North Dakota
When reviewing which North Dakota online poker rooms to recommend, we focus on the most important areas to players. We know what to look for because we play online poker as well. Here are the things we look for when reviewing North Dakota poker rooms.
Availability in North Dakota - The most important thing we look for is whether the poker room accepts North Dakotans.
Player Traffic - We look at cash game and tournament traffic for each poker room offered to ND players, focusing on sites with the most traffic during peak hours.
Poker Bonuses and Promotions - We look at all bonuses and promotions, looking for generous welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions that offer long-term value.
Game Variety and Availability - We check which poker variants are offered for ND players and how often they run. The best sites offer the same games for both cash games and tournaments.
Is Online Poker Legal in North Dakota?
Online poker is legal in North Dakota, but only at offshore online casinos. The state has yet to regulate online poker or other forms of online gambling. Live poker is allowed in Native American casinos or by licensed charitable organizations.
When looking at North Dakota gambling law, let's look at how the state determines what qualifies as gambling and what does not. Section 12.1-28-01(1) contains the definition of gambling as
"risking any money, credit, deposit, or other thing of value for gain, contingent, wholly or partially, upon lot, chance, the operation of gambling apparatus, or the happening or outcome of an event, including an election or sporting event, over which the person taking the risk has no control."
However, gambling does not include “Lawful contests of skill, speed, strength, or endurance in which awards are made only to entrants or to the owners of entries.” Online poker, particularly online poker tournaments, could qualify as a contest of skill under this section.
Small Stakes Gambling Largely Unpenalized
So, what constitutes a gambling crime in North Dakota? From a player's perspective, it depends on how much money is involved in the activity.
The key phrase in North Dakota law is "hand, game or event." As certain thresholds are passed, the charges escalate in severity.
For example, there's no charge if the total involved in the "hand, game, or event" is under $25. From $25 to $500, you're looking at an infraction. Over $500, and it's a class A misdemeanor (Section 12.1-28-02(2)).
Law enforcement aims the toughest charges at the people behind the operation of illegal gambling activity. In North Dakota, running, profiting from, or owning illegal games can lead to felony charges.
Will North Dakota Regulate Online Poker?
Based on the current legal climate in the state, it is unlikely that North Dakota will regulate online poker or online gambling in the near future. Efforts to regulate online sports betting failed in 2023 and earlier in 2025. Until there is sufficient support in the state Legislature or ample pressure from tribal interests, this position is unlikely to change.
Play Online Poker Responsibly in North Dakota
Online poker is intended to be a fun activity and for entertainment only. When gambling stops being fun, it is time to step away and stop playing.
If you find yourself unable to stop or if gambling is negatively impacting your life, there is help available. Several organizations in North Dakota offer help to problem gamblers and are available 24/7/365. Don't hesitate to reach out for help when needed, and please gamble responsibly.
GamberND - A comprehensive all-inclusive resource to help players diagnose and treat problem gambling. The site offers self-assessment tools, counseling resources, and even an online course to help treat problem gambling.
FirstLink 2-1-1 - FirstLink 2-1-1 is a confidential service available 24/7, giving referrals and links to help resources for North Dakotans. Dial 211, text your zip code to 898-211, or visit the website.
Gamblers Anonymous - Nationwide peer counseling organization that helps problem gamblers and those suffering from addiction. Local and virtual meetings are available.
GamblerND Helpline - 1-877-702-7848
National Council on Problem Gambling Helpline - 1-800-273-8255
National Suicide Prevention Hotline - Dial 988
Poker Players from North Dakota
North Dakota isn't known as a hotbed of live poker, but there are a few notable players from the state, including Mitch Schock, who became the state's first, and so far only, WSOP bracelet winner. Here's a look at the top live poker players from North Dakota.
Tom McCormick - $2,397.920
Rodger Johnson - $1,994,206
Mitch Schock - $1,506,835
Chad Himmelspach - $762,449
Brook Lyter - $732,477
Harlen Miller - $608,088
Daniel Ryan - $559,202
Corey Dodd - $484,482
Curtis Vierstraete - $460,515
Jesse Haabak - $418,929
North Dakota and Online Poker
North Dakota may not have regulated online poker yet, but players can still access offshore sites offering secure and competitive gameplay. While lawmakers continue debating regulation, poker enthusiasts can continue to enjoy a diverse range of cash games, tournaments, and promotions.
We've provided a list of the best poker rooms and information to help get you started. Bovada is the best option for beginners, while Ignition Poker provides the best all-around poker experience.
If you’re ready to get started, register today at one of our recommended North Dakota online poker rooms and start enjoying safe and secure online poker.
Jennifer Newell is a freelance writer at LegalUsPokerSites. She has two decades of experience in the iGaming industry. She is a respected poker media member, contributing to publications and websites like USA Today, PokerStars, and PokerScout. Her knowledge spans gambling legislation and the broader online gaming world. She has spent years advocating for diversity, most notably gender equity in the traditionally male-dominated poker sphere.
Sources & Citations For This Article on North Dakota Online Poker
