Global Online Poker

The global online poker landscape offers incredible opportunities for players across many countries. Whether you’re in a regulated market with international player pooling like the UK or Sweden, or in a region served by reputable offshore operators like Canada or Brazil, you have access to the world’s largest poker sites and player pools.

Many countries have local regulation that still permits international liquidity sharing, offering the best of both worlds: strong consumer protections plus access to global player pools. In other regions known as “gray markets,” international operators can legally offer their services through offshore licenses, providing access to the same global poker ecosystem.

This guide covers everything you need to know about playing online poker in the global market, from the best sites to sign up with to how deposits work, what games are available, and the biggest tournaments you can play in. We’ll help you navigate the international poker scene with confidence and find the best games for your budget and preferences.

The Best International Online Poker Sites

If you live in a country with local regulation, we recommend you play on a site with a local license. While this is slightly different, PokerStars and GGPoker are available in almost every regulated country under a local license, and smaller operators like Betsson, Unibet and 888poker may also be available to you.

If you live in a country without specific local online poker regulation but is served by major international operators, we recommend playing on established, trustworthy global poker sites. These platforms operate legally through offshore licenses while maintaining high standards of security, game integrity, and payment processing.

GGPoker

GGPoker has rapidly grown to become the largest online poker site in the world, offering an impressive selection of cash games and tournaments across all stakes. The site features innovative tools like PokerCraft for tracking your play, All-In Insurance to reduce variance, and SnapCam for adding video reactions at the table.

The platform is known for its modern, mobile-first approach and exceptional software quality. GGPoker hosts some of the largest tournament series online, including the GG World Festival with $250+ million in guarantees. The site’s rewards program is among the most generous in the industry, offering up to 60% rakeback for regular players.

GGPoker excels at payment processing for international players, with numerous deposit and withdrawal options available in most countries. Customer support is available 24/7 through live chat, and the site maintains high standards of game security.

PokerStars

PokerStars Global remains one of the most trusted names in online poker, with a long history of reliable service to players worldwide. The site offers the widest variety of poker variants and tournament formats, from standard No-Limit Hold’em to exotic games like Badugi and 8-Game Mix.

The platform is known for its stable, feature-rich software and industry-leading mobile app. PokerStars hosts the famous Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) and other major series, with tournaments at all buy-in levels. The ChestsFusion rewards program provides good value for regular players.

PokerStars has excellent banking options for international players, with numerous local payment methods available in most countries. The site’s customer support is responsive and professional, and its game integrity measures are among the best in the industry.

WPT Global

WPT Global is a newer entrant to the online poker scene, backed by the prestigious World Poker Tour brand. The site has quickly established itself as a quality option, particularly for recreational players looking for softer competition than the industry giants.

The platform offers a clean, user-friendly interface and excellent mobile app. WPT Global runs regular tournament series with good guarantees and provides numerous opportunities to qualify for live WPT events around the world. The site’s Diamond Rewards program offers solid value for regular players.

WPT Global is particularly notable for its generous welcome bonus and regular promotions. The site processes payments quickly and reliably for most international markets, though it operates in fewer jurisdictions than PokerStars or GGPoker.

Understanding Global Online Poker Markets

The international online poker landscape can be divided into several categories based on local regulation and market access. Understanding these distinctions will help you identify what options are available in your region.

White Markets with Open Liquidity

Some countries have established local licensing frameworks for online poker while still allowing operators to share player pools internationally. These include:

• United Kingdom
• Sweden
• Denmark
• Netherlands
• Malta
• Isle of Man

In these jurisdictions, major operators hold local licenses but can connect their player pools with international sites. This gives players the best of both worlds: local regulatory protection and access to global liquidity.

For players in the UK, we have a complete UK online poker guide that gets into more details.

Gray Markets

Many countries have no specific legislation addressing online poker, creating what the industry calls “gray markets.” In these jurisdictions, international operators can legally offer their services without local licenses:

• Canada (outside Ontario)
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Chile
• Uruguay
• Austria
• Finland
• Norway
• Ireland
• Monaco
• New Zealand

If you live in one of these countries, you can access the major global poker sites without restrictions. While these operators aren’t licensed locally, they maintain licenses in respected jurisdictions like Malta or the Isle of Man, ensuring game integrity and financial security.

Segregated Markets

Some countries require operators to segregate their player pools, limiting players to competing only against others in the same jurisdiction:

• France
• Spain
• Portugal
• Italy
• Ontario (Canada)

While these markets have legal online poker, the segregated player pools result in fewer game options and smaller tournament guarantees. However, many of these markets have formed liquidity sharing agreements (like the European shared liquidity pool between France, Spain, and Portugal) to partially address these limitations.

To learn more about segregated markets, check out our complete guide to online poker.

How Global Online Poker Works

Online poker in international markets operates differently from both segregated regulated markets and unregulated black markets. Here’s what you need to know about how the system works.

Licensing and Regulation

The major global poker sites operate under licenses from respected international gambling authorities, including:

• Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)
• Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission
• Gibraltar Regulatory Authority

These regulatory bodies enforce standards for game fairness, financial security, responsible gambling measures, and anti-money laundering procedures. While not providing the same local protections as a domestic regulator, these licenses ensure basic standards of operation and give players recourse in case of disputes.

Player Pool Structure

One of the biggest advantages of playing on international poker sites is access to shared global player pools. This means:

• More cash games running 24/7 across all stakes
• Larger tournament fields with bigger prize pools
• Better game selection and variety
• More active tables during your local peak hours

This global liquidity is particularly valuable for players interested in niche game variants like Pot-Limit Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, or mixed games, which require sufficient player volume to maintain active tables.

Currency Options

International poker sites typically operate in a few base currencies, most commonly:

• US Dollars (USD)
• Euros (EUR)
• British Pounds (GBP)

When you deposit in your local currency, it will usually be converted to one of these base currencies. Some sites allow you to hold balances in multiple currencies, while others require you to choose one. Consider potential conversion fees when selecting your preferred currency.

Banking Methods

Global poker sites offer numerous deposit and withdrawal methods, though availability varies by country. Common options include:

• Credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard)
• E-wallets (Skrill, Neteller, PayPal where available)
• Bank transfers
• Local payment processors
• Prepaid vouchers (Paysafecard)
• Cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum)

Most reputable operators process withdrawals within 24-72 hours, though the time to receive funds depends on your chosen payment method. E-wallets typically provide the fastest withdrawals, often within 24 hours of approval.

Gameplay and Software

The major global poker sites offer sophisticated software available on multiple platforms:

• Desktop clients for Windows and Mac
• Browser-based play (no download required)
• Mobile apps for iOS and Android
• Tablet-optimized versions

These platforms provide robust features including multi-tabling capabilities, customizable interfaces, hand history tracking, and detailed statistics. Mobile apps have evolved significantly in recent years, offering nearly all the functionality of desktop clients.

Popular Poker Formats and Games

International poker sites offer a wide variety of game formats and variants to suit all preferences.

Cash Games

Cash games (or ring games) are tables where you play with real money chips directly. You can join and leave at any time, and the blinds remain constant. Popular cash game variants include:

• No-Limit Hold’em: The most popular format, available at stakes from $0.01/$0.02 to $500/$1000
• Pot-Limit Omaha: Growing rapidly in popularity, available at most stake levels
• Fixed-Limit Hold’em: Less common but still available on major sites
• Omaha Hi/Lo: Split-pot variant popular with mixed game players
• Short Deck Hold’em: Newer variant where all cards below 6 are removed

Most sites also offer fast-fold formats like Zoom (PokerStars) or Rush & Cash (GGPoker), allowing you to immediately move to a new hand after folding.

Tournament Formats

Tournaments offer some of the best value in online poker, with fixed buy-ins and the potential for large returns. Popular formats include:

• Multi-Table Tournaments (MTTs): Standard format with gradually increasing blinds
• Progressive Knockout (PKO): Bounty tournaments where you win part of a player’s bounty when eliminating them
• Mystery Bounty: Tournaments where bounty values are revealed only after elimination
• Freezeout: Traditional format with no re-entries allowed
• Rebuy & Add-on: Tournaments allowing multiple entries and additional chips
• Satellite: Tournaments that award seats to larger events
• Sit & Go: Small tournaments that start when enough players register

Tournament buy-ins range from less than $1 to $25,000+ for high roller events, with most recreational players focusing on the $5-$55 range.

Specialty Formats

Global poker sites also offer several specialty formats:

• Spin & Go / Spin & Gold: Three-player hyper-turbo tournaments with randomized prize pools
• Flip & Go: Tournaments that start with an all-in preflop phase before transitioning to normal play
• Battle Royale: Tournaments with a gradually shrinking field as tables are randomly removed

These formats typically offer a higher variance experience with the potential for significant returns from small buy-ins.

Major Global Online Poker Tournaments and Series

International online poker sites host numerous prestigious tournament series throughout the year, offering massive guarantees and the chance to win significant prizes from the comfort of your home.

GG World Festival

The GGPoker World Festival has established itself as the largest online poker series in the world. The 2025 edition featured an unprecedented schedule of over 1,600 tournaments spread across four distinct buy-in tiers to accommodate players of all bankroll levels.

With total guarantees exceeding $250 million, the series offers opportunities ranging from micro-stakes events starting at just $2.50 to high-roller tournaments with buy-ins up to $25,500. The festival is anchored by three flagship $10 million guaranteed events: the $10,300 GGMillion$ Super Main Event, the $1,500 GG World Championship, and the $525 Global Mystery Bounty Festival.

What makes the GG World Festival particularly attractive is its comprehensive leaderboard system, which awards $3 million in additional prizes across all buy-in tiers. This gives both recreational and professional players something extra to compete for beyond individual tournament results.

PokerStars SCOOP

The Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) remains PokerStars’ flagship tournament series and a cornerstone of the online poker calendar since its inception in 2009. The 2025 edition offered more than 380 tournaments across three buy-in tiers with combined guarantees exceeding $60 million.

SCOOP stands out for its incredible variety of poker formats. While most online series focus primarily on No-Limit Hold’em, SCOOP embraces the full spectrum of poker variants, including mixed games like HORSE, 8-Game, and niche formats such as Badugi and Draw games. This diversity makes it a favorite among poker purists and players looking to test their skills across multiple disciplines.

The series accommodates all bankroll levels with buy-ins ranging from $5.50 at the low end to $15,000 for high-roller events. In addition to the prize pools, players compete for coveted SCOOP trophies and positions on the $100,000 leaderboard, adding prestige beyond the monetary rewards.

Other Major Series

The global online poker calendar is filled with major tournament series throughout the year, ensuring players always have something significant to look forward to. PokerStars’ World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) runs each September, offering over $100 million in guarantees across a schedule similar to SCOOP but with slightly higher buy-ins and larger guarantees.

GGPoker hosts several other notable series, including the official WSOP Online bracelet events each summer. These tournaments give international players the opportunity to win authentic World Series of Poker bracelets without traveling to Las Vegas. The site also runs the MILLION$ Superstorm during winter months and WSOP Circuit Online events throughout the year, offering official WSOPC rings.

WPT Global’s flagship WPT World Online Championships brings the prestige of the World Poker Tour brand to the online realm, while PokerStars’ MicroMillions caters specifically to low-stakes players with every tournament featuring buy-ins under $25.

Weekly Tournament Schedule

The backbone of the global online poker ecosystem is the regular weekly tournament schedule offered by the major sites. PokerStars’ Sunday Million has been running since 2006, making it the longest-standing major online tournament. With a $215 buy-in and $1 million guaranteed prize pool every week, it remains the standard against which all other regular tournaments are measured.

GGPoker counters with its GGMillion$, offering a slightly lower $150 buy-in but matching the $1 million guarantee. PokerStars’ schedule also includes the Sunday Warm-Up, while WPT Global features its Sunday Special as its weekly flagship event.

Beyond these Sunday majors, the global sites offer comprehensive daily tournament schedules with guarantees ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 at various buy-in levels. These tournaments provide consistent action for regular players, with peak hours often seeing dozens of tournaments running simultaneously across the major sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to play online poker on international sites?

For most countries without specific online gambling prohibitions, it is legal for players to access international poker sites. These sites operate under offshore licenses from jurisdictions like Malta or the Isle of Man. While the sites themselves may be in a legal gray area in some regions, players typically face no legal consequences for participating.

How do I know if a poker site accepts players from my country?

Most poker sites clearly list restricted countries in their terms and conditions. Alternatively, you can simply attempt to register – the site will inform you if your country is restricted. GGPoker, PokerStars, and WPT Global publish lists of accepted countries on their websites.

Are online poker games fair and random?

Reputable international poker sites employ certified Random Number Generators (RNGs) that are regularly tested by independent auditors like eCOGRA or iTech Labs. These sites also implement sophisticated security measures to prevent collusion, bot usage, and other forms of cheating.

Do I have to pay taxes on online poker winnings?

Tax obligations vary by country. In many jurisdictions, gambling winnings are not taxable unless you’re considered a professional player. However, you should consult a tax professional in your region for specific advice regarding your situation.

What deposit methods work best for international players?

E-wallets like Skrill and Neteller typically offer the most reliable service for international players, with fast processing times and reasonable fees. Cryptocurrencies are also becoming increasingly popular for their privacy and lack of geographical restrictions. Credit cards work in many regions but may be declined in countries with stricter banking regulations.

Can I play in US dollars if it’s not my local currency?

Yes, most international poker sites allow you to play in USD, EUR, or GBP regardless of your local currency. Your deposits will be converted at the current exchange rate, which may incur a small conversion fee. Some sites allow you to hold balances in multiple currencies.

What stake levels are available on international poker sites?

Global poker sites offer an enormous range of stakes, from micro-stakes as low as $0.01/$0.02 for cash games and $0.25 tournaments, up to high-stakes games with blinds of $500/$1000 and tournaments with $25,000+ buy-ins. Most recreational players find plenty of action in the $0.05/$0.10 to $0.50/$1 range for cash games and $5-$55 for tournaments.

How do tournament guarantees work?

A guaranteed tournament will pay out at least the advertised prize pool regardless of how many players enter. If enough players register to exceed the guarantee through their buy-ins, the actual prize pool will be larger. If there aren’t enough entries to meet the guarantee, the poker site covers the shortfall, creating value for players.

What happens if I have a dispute with an offshore poker site?

Reputable international poker sites have customer support departments to handle disputes. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, you can escalate to the licensing authority that regulates the site, such as the Malta Gaming Authority. Additionally, major poker communities and forums can sometimes help mediate disputes that gain public attention.

Can I play on multiple international poker sites?

Yes, there are no restrictions on creating accounts on multiple poker sites. In fact, many experienced players maintain accounts on several platforms to take advantage of different promotions, game selection, and tournament schedules. Just ensure you can meet the identity verification requirements for each site.

Are there any restrictions on how much I can deposit or withdraw?

Most sites have minimum deposit amounts (typically $10-$20) and maximum limits that vary by payment method. Withdrawal limits also vary by method and player status, with higher-volume players often receiving increased limits. VIP players on major sites generally have access to expedited withdrawals and higher limits.

How do I know my funds are safe on international poker sites?

Reputable international operators maintain segregated player funds separate from operational accounts, ensuring your money is protected even if the company faces financial difficulties. Sites licensed in jurisdictions like Malta, Isle of Man, and Gibraltar must adhere to strict financial requirements that include fund segregation and financial reserves.

What should I do if online poker becomes regulated in my country?

If your country introduces poker regulation, evaluate whether the new regulated market offers benefits over international sites. Consider factors like player pool size, game variety, taxation of winnings, and promotional value. In some cases, you may be required to switch to locally licensed sites, while in others (like the UK model) you may still have access to global player pools through locally licensed operators.