I, unfortunately, live in NY and cannot play poker online at all that I know of. I am very interested in getting back into playing but I don't have the time to go to the casinos so online is my only possible option at this time.

I have VPN software and can use an IP in Vegas or another country and I understand it's against the TC on most, if not all, poker sites but I'm willing to take the chance if the punishments aren't really that extensive. I apologize if this is covered in another thread but I couldn't find it. I'm new on this forum and haven't used the search engine much. If there is another thread I'm not seeing could someone please link it in a reply? Thank you!

From what I'm reading, these are the ramifications of getting caught:

1. You won't be able to cash out.

I plan on using crypto currency that is free-ish money to me from mining. I'm not overly worried about losing a $500 deposit as long as I'm able to play poker for an extended period of time. In fact, i'm so out of practice I probably won't even deposit that much and start off at micro-stakes. If I can just get some solid practice in against real money players, that would actually be enough entertainment and practice for me at the moment.

2. You will get your account suspended.

Banned or suspended? I hear the word suspended a lot. I can deal with that. That reads to me like "yeah, we caught you but we really want your money when you can legally play in NY".

So my main question is ... do VPNs work or am I wasting my time?

Play money sites are not an option as that is just not poker as we all know. I'm fine with risking the loss of some money and even a good chunk of winnings. I'm not ok with prosecution or getting banned permanently across a network of poker sites that may be available to NY residents at a later date. Thank you all for your time!

poker aps solve

Consequences depend on laws where you live, but in a raw sense VPNs work at least as far as connections go. The bigger problem is - what do you do if the site wants KYC / id documentation?

There are lists of VPN providers IP addresses available to gaming companies and some of them reject connections from these addresses, so it isn't a given it will work.

You also might have to provide proof of physical address in the country corresponding to the IP address you are using, particularly if you are cashing out. You might have your balance seized and account closed. So it doesn't seem to be a good money making plan.

I'm a little surprised at the question, as I've never read anything saying that online poker is specifically banned in NY state. A quick search does not show anything suggesting that it is illegal in NY. So the real question would be whether a specific site bans players that reside in a particular state (which happens for people in Washington, which does ban online poker).

If all you want to do is play, sign up for Global Poker. I believe the only states for which they ban players are Washington and Idaho. I've played on many sites, and Global has been the easiest with respect to getting money in and out.

I play on ACR using VPN software. I don't use the VPN software specifically for ACR (and the server I use is in the same city I am in), but ACR has never given me any issues with running at the same time as an active ExpressVPN client.

Why not just play on Ignition? They accept us players for real money.

It's great for practice

Ignition is banned in NY.

OP you can play GlobalPoker and ACR without a VPN.

I wouldn't recommend using a VPN to play on any of the legal licensed sites for NJ/NV/DE/PA/MI (might be forgetting a state or two,) because in all likelihood legal poker is coming to NY in the next few years, and getting a permaban from the legit sites for using a VPN now seems shortsighted to me

What is ACR an acronym for?

America's Card Room, I'm pretty sure.

Dont use a VPN for online poker, you will probably get caught at some point.


Neither Global Poker or Americas Cardroom ban players from NY State. Ignition does though.


Global Poker is a solid site especially if you play micro/small stakes. Cashouts directly into bank account or you can cash out via gift cards. No crypto deposit or withdraw. No rakeback but they splash cash game pots every now and then with 5bb dead money to give back.

ACR has more volume and larger MTTs but also better players on average. Crypto deposits and withdraws.

You're mistaking the fact that Ignition is not licensed to operate in NY to mean it's illegal to play there. Not true. You can play on ignition in all US states except for the 2 or 3 that have specific laws criminalizing playing online. NY is not one of those.