![A smartphone loaded on BetMGM’s online poker platform with a banner reading “Register Now” over it, and responsible gambling information running across the bottom of the image.](https://roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at/mgm/poker/en/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/04091533/legal-online-poker-header.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
The first step in playing online poker is to register for a new online poker account.
When new poker players start to consider account creation and look for a poker site, they are often inundated with many search engine results. Many of those sites are not legal in the United States, despite descriptions to the contrary. That’s why the best option is to use BetMGM Poker – an operator that has gone through the proper legal channels to register in the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Michigan.
BetMGM is one of the premier sites that offers online poker, as well as online casino games and sports betting. By simply selecting your BetMGM Poker state to play online, you know that you are on a legal, fully licensed, and secure website.
![A first-person view of a person holding a tablet while resting their arms on a casino poker table with several stacks of poker chips next to him.](https://roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at/mgm/poker/en/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/04091540/legal-online-poker-body-1.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1&fit=1080%2C610)
Is There a Poker Sign Up Bonus?
Yes, BetMGM Poker is offering a superior welcome bonus: 100% Deposit Match up to $1,000, plus up to $75 in Tournament Tickets.
Visit this online poker bonus code link, select the Poker tab, and choose the state you are playing from. This will bring you to the Registration page.
Follow the Site’s Poker Register Steps
It sounds official, but registering for an online poker account is free, simple, and quick. You can register by simply entering an email address, though there is also the option to register through an existing PayPal account or Yahoo! Sports account. Some states allow registration through an existing MGM Rewards account as well.
To choose a password, make sure it is between eight and 20 characters, contains lower case and capital letters, and includes at least one number.
The next bits of information are standard:
- Select a prefix (Mr. or Ms.)
- Type your first and last name as they appear on a driver’s license, state ID, or passport
- Enter the last four digits of your social security number
- Enter your date of birth to verify your age
- Enter a phone number to be used for security purposes
- Enter your address to be used for identification purposes only
Click the appropriate boxes to confirm your age and willingness to participate in legal real-money online gaming. This confirms that you are not self-excluded from gambling sites and not an employee of BetMGM. Agree to the terms of service, and then choose whether or not to receive marketing communications.
At this point, you can choose your screen name. It should start with a letter and contain five to 15 characters in total. If that name is available, you can then choose a payment method for depositing money into your real-money poker account. Then you can begin playing real-money cash games or register for real-money tournaments.
![A legal online poker concept image featuring handcuffs, poker chips, playing cards, and a judge’s gavel on and around a laptop.](https://roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at/mgm/poker/en/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/04091536/legal-online-poker-body-2.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1&fit=1080%2C610)
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Poker Account Creation
There are a few questions related to poker registration that we can address here.
Do I Need to Be a Resident of a State to Play Poker Online There?
You don’t need to be a resident of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Michigan to play online poker in those regulated states. However, you must be physically located in a state to play there. BetMGM uses geolocation technology, per state regulations, to verify your location before you can play for real money.
Can I Use a VPN to Play Poker in Those States?
No. The geolocation technology used to verify your location must detect your presence within the borders of a state to gamble online there.
What if I Register in Another State for Poker Online?
A person can register from anywhere to play poker online at BetMGM. However, you cannot play or gamble for real money until you are physically within that state.
Why Register Late for Poker?
This is actually not a question about account creation but tournament registration. Once you register for an online poker account, you can then register for any tournament for which you have the money to play. You can register late for many of those tournaments.
There are always ongoing tournaments and series to play at BetMGM Poker that you can explore after registration.