ClubWPT Gold on ‘Pause’ in Nevada, Poker X Community on Tilt

_{ClubWPT Gold has some big names behind it, but in the face of legal crackdowns on sweepstakes gaming, it’s putting a hold on operations in Nevada. (Image: via ClubWPT.com)}

LAS VEGAS – Sweepstakes model online poker site ClubWPT Gold has suspended operations in Nevada effective midnight on Monday, Sept. 28. An email was sent out this week similar to the one customers received when Arizona operations shuttered, the only reason offered being that it’s a “response to state regulatory action.”

All redemption requests for Nevada residents need to be submitted by Friday Oct. 2 at midnight.

The company’s messaging has evolved from these initial emails to customers describing the move as “winding down services” to now stating on its website that it is “pausing sweepstakes gameplay in Nevada” (emphasis added). “We are optimistic that with product modifications we can resume offering sweepstakes gameplay in the future.”

ClubWPT Gold online poker operates on a sweepstakes model, where “gold coins” with no monetary value are used to play online poker. “Sweeps coins” are also used as promotional currency to play poker for the chance to win cash prizes. However, sweeps coins are now termed as “chips.”

In addition to online poker play, ClubWPT Gold also offers Hand Analysis Credit Packages where an AI-powered tool evaluates a players’ past hands against Game Theory Optimal strategy. Each package includes coins to play on their site.

Poker Community is Confused, Frustrated

The reactions from the poker community were swift, mostly furious and confused with the lack of details on the site.

Dylan Linde, a professional poker player with over $15 million in live tournament earnings, commented that ClubWPT Gold kept putting the update for Nevada residents on and off of the website.

“ClubWPT Gold care to comment since you’ve now taken the page down?” he posted on X.

As of this writing the page is now back on their site. They will also not be taking any purchases effective immediately and ask customers to cancel their subscriptions to ensure they don’t get charged in the future.

ClubWPT Gold Struck Down in Infancy

ClubWPT Gold, now just “Gold” to many poker players, went live in December 2024 and had the respected World Poker Tour name attached. Its sweepstakes gaming model helped give online poker players a workaround in states where real-money online poker and casino gambling wasn’t allowed.

“The same thing happened in AZ,” J Bills posted about Nevada’s neighboring state going through the same thing about six weeks ago. “Felt to me like Black Friday trauma all over again.”

Some are speculating what states might be next.

“I am guessing Minnesota and California will be on here soon. So sad,” Rutland34 posted on X.

Currently, ClubWPT is available in all states except for eight:

• Arizona
• Connecticut
• Louisiana
• Michigan
• Montana
• New Jersey
• Tennessee
• Washington

Nevada will now make nine. It’s also available in Canada provided you’re over 18 and not in Quebec.

Pushing Regulatory Limits in Different States

Nevada gaming regulators have long held that unlicensed real-money-style gambling – including sweepstakes-model games – falls under the state's strict licensing requirements. And lawmakers sharpened the teeth behind that stance with SB 256, signed last June and effective Oct. 1, 2025.

That bill raised penalties for unlicensed operators to felony-level (up to 10 years in prison and $50,000 fines, plus forfeiture of profits) and extended the state’s reach over out-of-state operators serving Nevada residents.

The law doesn’t name "sweepstakes casinos" outright, but instead leans on Nevada's existing definition of gambling as anything wagered for "money, property, checks, credit, or any representative of value" to claim playing for dual-currency sweeps coins counts as gambling.

Meanwhile, ClubWPT Gold has continued to operate in California, despite the passage of Assembly Bill 831, which Gov. Gavin Newsone signed last year and went into effect Jan. 1, 2026.

AB 831 “makes it unlawful to operate, conduct or offer an online sweepstakes game in California” and specifically prohibits “online sweepstakes games … utilizing a dual-currency system of payment.”

But ClubWPT contends that they’ve changed their model enough to comply with the law.

“ClubWPT Gold is a poker education and training platform committed to operating in compliance with the laws of every jurisdiction in which it is available,” according to their California support page.

Currently, in California, you can redeem your winnings only on nine specific calendar days of the month, a window dubbed “California Game Days.”

What Other Online Poker Can You Play in Nevada?

Some players tried to keep a positive outlook while noting how the WSOP online will likely benefit.

“With some of the Nevada @ClubWPTGold action certain to move to @WSOPOnlinePoker, plus an online bracelet series starting in 3 days, WSOP Nevada might be a decent place to play for a couple of months,” opined WSOP bracelet holder Andy Bloch.

No doubt, in Las Vegas there was a demand for what ClubWPT Gold was offering. But with this latest action there’s now less supply.