Sweepstakes online poker site Global Poker has announced that it will soon cease doing all operations with customers from Nevada in 2025.
Players were informed via email over the weekend about a phased withdrawal schedule, beginning January 15, 2025, and culminating in a complete exit by April 15, 2025.
“We understand that this news may be disappointing and want to assure you this decision was not made lightly, but made as part of our continual evaluation of our operations in the interests of all our stakeholders,” the operator stated in the email.
Global Poker operates on a sweepstakes poker model, available in most US states, which differs from traditional online poker rooms by not offering direct cash prizes. Instead, its virtual currency, Sweeps Coins, can be redeemed for real money at a rate of 1 SC to $1 USD.
Although online poker is regulated in Nevada, with WSOP Online licensed to operate legally for real money, sweepstakes poker platforms like Global Poker have operated in the Silver State for nearly a decade. These platforms justify their presence under sweepstakes laws, which fall outside the traditional definition of gambling.
However, beginning in 2025, Global Poker will exit the Nevada market.
Third State Withdrawal in a Year
The operator has not provided a specific reason for its exit, though it may be due to Nevada’s strict gaming regulations or as a precautionary measure. In fact, Global Poker’s parent company, Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW), along with other sweepstakes operators, have faced increased scrutiny in the US amid the rapid growth of sweepstakes gaming. Critics argue that these platforms operate without proper licensing and effectively promote gambling.
Global Poker recently withdrew from Connecticut and Michigan after receiving cease-and-desist letters from their respective state regulators. Delaware authorities have also issued similar notices.
Besides these three states, the Australia-owned sweepstakes poker site also does not accept players from Washington, Idaho and Montana.
With Global Poker’s impending departure from Nevada, the only sweepstakes and subscription-based poker platforms currently available in Nevada are GGPoker’s subscription-based poker platform ClubGG, ClubWPT, and its modern sweepstakes platform, ClubWPT Gold. Whether these platforms will remain in Nevada or follow Global Poker’s lead in the future remains uncertain.
Clubs Poker, a new sweepstakes poker platform launched this year with a similar sweepstakes model as Global Poker, does not accept players from Nevada.
Sweepstakes Online Poker Sites in Nevada
| Operator | Accepted in NV |
|---|---|
| Global Poker | No longer from Feb 15, 2025 |
| Clubs Poker | No |
| ClubWPT | Yes |
| ClubWPT Gold | Yes |
| ClubGG | Yes |
| Stake US | No |
Global Poker’s exit will certainly be a blow to Nevada online poker players, who already have limited online poker options. The state currently offers only one fully regulated platform, WSOP NV, which shares its player pool with WSOP NJ and WSOP MI.
While there has been some development in Nevada’s online poker landscape, such as Real Gaming offering a peer-to-peer video poker-inspired option under South Point Poker’s license, it does not qualify as a traditional online poker experience.
For those seeking an expanded player pool across the US and gameplay resembling real-money poker, Global Poker served as a popular alternative. With its departure, Nevada players will be left with limited options, including subscription-based platforms like ClubGG, ClubWPT, and the upcoming ClubWPT Gold, set to launch in early 2025.
Starting January 15, 2025, Nevada players at Global Poker will no longer be able to purchase Gold Coins but can still use their existing Gold Coins and Sweep Coins to play. By February 15, 2025, gameplay will be disabled entirely, although players will retain the ability to redeem Sweep Coins for prizes.
The final phase will take effect on April 15, 2025, after which no redemption requests will be accepted, and Nevada residents will be permanently discontinued from accessing the site.
