Poker Players Decry Losing ClubWPT Gold in Arizona

_{Online poker players no longer have access to ClubWPT Gold in the state of Arizona, and they are not happy about it. (Photo: Ievgen Chabanov / Alamy)}

ClubWPT Gold suspended operations in Arizona effective Aug. 8 after being forced out by the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG). 

Arizona pushed back at the sweepstakes model with a cease-and-desist order on July 10. It included four other operators such as BetOpenly and Bookmaker in addition to ClubWPT Gold. 

However, ClubWPT Gold has faced multiple allegations, including underage access to people under 21, the legal gambling age in the state. ClubWPT Gold initially responded by changing the age limitation to 21+ before ultimately deciding to withdraw from the state.

Poker Community Balks at Ruling, ClubWPT Pullout

The poker community had a swift reaction to this decision on social media.

“In the US, regulated online poker will play whack a mole with like 45 states from now until eternity,” Derek Kwan, poker player and analyst, commented on X as @kwansfull. “We will never ever be allowed, in one big player pool to play across all 50 states.”

"Horseshit, so pissed," wrote @brandonjreimer.

That frustration from poker players was felt from many on X. Johnnie “Vibes” Moreno, professional cash-games poker player, vented wondering how the government let people gamble in other areas of chance, but not poker which to him and many others is seen as a game of skill.

"It really is so dumb that the government lets people gamble their ass off in games of chance but blocks consenting adults from playing a game of skill," Moreno said. "Land of the free."

Some people tried to find a bright side. @RedDragonPokerz speculated: "Eh, I think we’re closer than most think. Obv we’ve all been saying that for years but GG just spent a whole boat load of money for a reason." 

To which Kwan insta-replied, "Bet."

Why Sports Betting and Not Poker?

With the popularity of online sports betting and its legality in Arizona for licensed companies and participants over 21, some poker players see this as hypocritical. @sharkslayerrr, who identifies as a former poker pro, wonders why poker continues to be treated so differently from sports betting.

"Honest question: why?," he asked. " Why is virtually every other form of gambling allowed, yet poker a game with a massive skill component is treated differently?And if the argument is that sports betting is acceptable, explain the logic: how exactly does sports betting require more skill than poker?"

Other states have previously explicitly banned sweepstakes casinos, including California, which passed Assembly Bill 831 signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom (AB 831) and went into effect January of 2026. They are also banned in Montana, New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, Tennessee, Delaware, Indiana, Louisiana and Maine.

“The issue is once you’ve played poker for money, you can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube,” Tyler Phillips, a player with over $1.9 million in live earnings, added to the thread.

Larry Landay, aka @platopoker, who shared the initial post on X that spurred so many comments, has his own dreams for online poker in the future.

“Sad day for AZ. I dream of a day where we have full freedom, country wide, to play online,” Landay wrote. "Considering all the other gambling online that is allowed, this skill game deserves to be available to those who choose to play."