ClubWPT Gold in California: the online poker Californians can actually play

California has more poker players than any state and no regulated online room, after two decades of failed bills. ClubWPT Gold fills the gap: a sweepstakes poker platform open to California residents from 18, with no deposit required, and with a special connection to the state — the WPT's LA Poker Classic at Commerce and Shooting Star at Bay 101 are among the live events its packages lead to.

Why sweepstakes, and is it legal?

California law forbids unlicensed gambling, and no online poker licence exists. Sweepstakes platforms operate under promotional-contest law instead: Gold Coins are a play currency with no cash value, Sweeps Coins are given free with purchases, daily bonuses or a mail-in request, and prizes won with Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for cash. No purchase is necessary. Sweepstakes gaming has drawn legislative attention in several states, so this page is reviewed regularly; this is general information, not legal advice.

What Californians get

No-limit hold'em and pot-limit Omaha cash tables, sit-and-gos and daily tournaments with Sweeps Coin guarantees, plus Passport packages to live WPT events. For California players the relevant stops are close to home: the WPT LA Poker Classic at Commerce Casino (January–March), the WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star in San Jose (October) and the WPT World Championship at the Wynn in Las Vegas (December).

Signing up

Register through the link on this page with your real name, address and date of birth (18 or over), claim the free welcome coins and play. Identity verification is required before redeeming prizes. Live poker in California is at cardrooms from 21 — see our California page for Commerce, The Bike and Bay 101. If gambling stops being fun, the California Problem Gambling helpline (1-800-GAMBLER) is free and confidential.