Poker world
Online poker
The established, licensed poker sites where most of the world plays online, and how to choose the right one for you.
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Online poker lets you play any time, at any stake, and win seats to the world's biggest live events. We only list established, licensed operators with a long track record. Availability depends on where you live, so always check that a site accepts players from your country before you sign up.
In short
- Biggest: GGPoker has the most cash-game players by far, then PokerStars and WPT Global (2026 traffic).
- Check the licence: PokerStars, Winamax, 888poker and partypoker are licensed by strict regulators. GGPoker, Natural8, WPT Global and the crypto sites run their international sites on lighter-touch licences.
- Check your country: many sites run a separate, locally licensed site (for example in the UK, US states or Ontario), and some countries are not served at all.
Compare the sites
| Site | Licence | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| PokerStars | Strict regulator | Tournament players and live-tour qualifiers |
| Winamax | Strict regulator | Players in France, Spain and Portugal |
| 888poker | Strict regulator | Beginners and recreational players |
| partypoker | Strict regulator | Recreational players in Europe |
| GGPoker | Offshore / lighter-touch | Players who want the most traffic and the biggest tournaments |
| Natural8 | Offshore / lighter-touch | Players in Asia |
| WPT Global | Offshore / lighter-touch | Cash-game players and WPT qualifiers |
| CoinPoker | Offshore / lighter-touch | Players who want to play with crypto |
| ACR Poker (Americas Cardroom) | Offshore / lighter-touch | Tournament players in the Americas |
| Ignition Poker | Offshore / lighter-touch | Casual players in the US |
What the licence tells you
| Licence | Examples | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Strict regulator | UK Gambling Commission, Malta (MGA), France (ANJ), Spain (DGOJ), Gibraltar, US states, Ontario | Player money kept separate, audited games, and a regulator you can complain to. |
| Lighter-touch licence | Kahnawake (Canada), Tobique (Canada), Anjouan (Comoros) | Less oversight and fewer formal protections. These sites often accept more countries and crypto. |
Sites licensed by strict regulators
PokerStars
PokerStars · since 2001The most famous name in online poker: Chris Moneymaker qualified for the 2003 WSOP here and started the poker boom. PokerStars also runs the EPT and APPT live tours.
- Huge tournament schedule (SCOOP, WCOOP)
- Spin & Go
- Satellites to EPT and APPT
- Separate licensed sites in many countries and US states
- Licences
- PokerStars.com: Malta Gaming Authority, MGA/B2C/213/2011. Separate local sites are licensed in the UK, several US states and other markets.
- Available in
- Worldwide in many countries; some countries play on a separate local site
- Best for
- Tournament players and live-tour qualifiers
Winamax
Winamax · since 2006The leading poker site in France and Spain, famous for its fun brand, huge Sunday tournaments and the Winamax Poker Tour live events.
- Huge French and Spanish player pool
- Expresso (Spin-style) games
- Winamax Poker Tour live events
- Licences
- France (ANJ) and Spain (DGOJ)
- Available in
- France and Spain (one shared player pool)
- Best for
- Players in France, Spain and Portugal
888poker
888 · since 2002One of the longest-running poker sites, known for a beginner-friendly player pool, low buy-in tournaments and the 888poker LIVE festivals.
- Beginner-friendly games
- Low buy-in tournaments
- 888poker LIVE events
- Licences
- Gibraltar (Remote Gaming licences 112 and 113) and the UK Gambling Commission (888 UK Limited, account 39028)
- Available in
- Many countries; check your country on the site
- Best for
- Beginners and recreational players
partypoker
partypoker · since 2001One of the original giants of online poker, part of the Entain group. Known for its recreational-friendly approach and its live tour, which has ten stops in the UK and Spain in 2026.
- Recreational-friendly cash games
- Online qualifiers to live events
- Licences
- Gibraltar (ElectraWorks Limited, RGL No. 050), plus local licences such as Spain
- Available in
- Many countries in Europe and elsewhere
- Best for
- Recreational players in Europe
Sites with offshore or lighter-touch licences
These sites' international websites are licensed by a lighter-touch authority rather than a strict regulator like the UK, Malta or a US state. Some of them, such as GGPoker, also run separate sites with strict licences in particular countries. We only list sites with a long track record of paying players, and we name each licence exactly as the operator states it on its own website.
GGPoker
GGNetworkThe world's largest online poker site by cash-game traffic (about 36% of tracked cash-game seats in 2026). Its parent company also owns the WSOP brand, and GGPoker hosts the WSOP Online bracelet events every year.
- Biggest tournament guarantees online
- WSOP Online bracelets
- PokerCraft hand history and stats
- Spin & Gold, All-in or Fold, Rush & Cash
- Licences
- GGPoker.com: Kahnawake Gaming Commission (Canada), licence No. 927 · Puretech International Limited, Belize. Separate local sites hold licences in regulated markets such as the UK and Ontario.
- Available in
- Many countries worldwide (not the US, except via state-licensed sites)
- Best for
- Players who want the most traffic and the biggest tournaments
Natural8
GGNetworkGGNetwork's main brand for Asia. You play in the same player pool as GGPoker, with Asian payment methods, local-language support and promotions aimed at Asian players.
- Same games and traffic as GGPoker
- Local payment methods and support for Asian players
- Asia-focused promotions and online series
- Licences
- Anjouan (Comoros) licence ALSI-192407036-FI2
- Available in
- Mainly Asia-Pacific; check that it accepts players from your country
- Best for
- Players in Asia
WPT Global
WPT GlobalThe official online platform of the World Poker Tour, and in 2026 the third-biggest poker site by cash-game traffic, behind GGPoker and PokerStars. It offers online qualifiers to WPT live events around the world.
- Satellites to WPT live events
- Fast-growing cash-game traffic
- Cashback-style rewards
- Licences
- Tobique Gaming Commission (Canada), licence No. 0000005 · Everstronglink Limited, Costa Rica
- Available in
- 60+ countries (not the US; closed to players in India since September 2025)
- Best for
- Cash-game players and WPT qualifiers
CoinPoker
CoinPoker · since 2017The best-known crypto poker site, co-founded in 2017 by poker pro and businessman Tony G (Antanas Guoga). You play with cryptocurrency (USDT, Bitcoin, Ethereum and more), and it was the fifth-biggest poker site by traffic in September 2026.
- Crypto deposits and fast withdrawals
- Cash games and tournaments
- Rakeback rewards
- Licences
- Anjouan (Comoros) licence ALSI-202412004-FI1 · Precise Interactive Inc., Panama
- Available in
- Many countries; check the restricted list in CoinPoker's terms
- Best for
- Players who want to play with crypto
ACR Poker (Americas Cardroom)
Winning Poker Network · since 2001One of the longest-running poker sites, and the biggest that accepts players from the United States. Known for big tournament guarantees, including the Venom series, and same-day crypto payouts.
- Large tournament guarantees
- Crypto and card payments
- Rakeback programme
- Licences
- Anjouan (Comoros) licence ALSI-202607066-FI2 · International Processing Services SA, Panama
- Available in
- Mainly the Americas, including US players (not licensed by any US state)
- Best for
- Tournament players in the Americas
Ignition Poker
Ignition · since 2016A popular poker room for US players, spun off from Bovada in 2016, with anonymous tables: nobody can track you with a HUD, which keeps the games friendly for recreational players.
- Anonymous tables (no HUDs)
- Fast-fold Zone Poker
- Crypto withdrawals
- Licences
- Anjouan Gaming Board (Comoros) · Bamboo Media, Anjouan
- Available in
- Mainly US players (not licensed by any US state); check the restricted list in its terms
- Best for
- Casual players in the US
How to choose a poker site
- Licence first. A licence from a strict regulator (for example the UK Gambling Commission or Malta Gaming Authority) means your money is protected and the games are audited.
- Traffic. More players means more games at your stake and bigger tournament guarantees.
- Game types. Some sites focus on tournaments, others on fast-fold cash games or Spin & Go-style jackpot games.
- Payments and support in your currency and language.
- Networks share players. Natural8 and GGPoker are the same player pool, so pick the brand that serves your country best.
Practise for free first: learn how positions and pot odds work in our Poker 101 guide, then play a free match against a legend in Heads Up with Legends.
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest online poker site?
GGPoker is the largest online poker site by cash-game traffic, followed by PokerStars and WPT Global.
Is Natural8 the same as GGPoker?
Natural8 is a brand of GGNetwork, the same network as GGPoker. Players on both sites sit at the same tables; Natural8 focuses on Asian players with local payments and support.
How do I know if an online poker site is safe?
Check who licenses it: the licence is usually named at the bottom of the site. A strict regulator, years of operation and independent audits of its card shuffling (RNG) are the best signs.
What is an offshore poker site?
A poker site licensed in a lighter-touch jurisdiction, for example Anjouan in the Comoros or Kahnawake and Tobique in Canada, rather than by a strict regulator such as the UK Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority or a US state. Offshore sites often accept crypto and players from more countries, but offer fewer formal player protections.
Can I win a seat to the WSOP or EPT online?
Yes. GGPoker runs satellites to the WSOP, PokerStars to the EPT and APPT, and WPT Global to WPT events.