Poker is legal in Puerto Rico only in licensed casinos operating under strict government regulations. Card games including poker are authorized in gambling rooms operated under licenses issued according to the Games of Chance and Gambling Devices in Casinos Authorization Act, subject to specific conditions and limitations (1). Any person who plays poker outside of these licensed establishments for money, checks, credit, or chips representing value is guilty of a misdemeanor under Puerto Rico law.
The Government of Puerto Rico Gaming Commission, established under Act No. 81-2019, serves as the regulatory authority governing all gambling activities on the island (2). This commission has jurisdiction over games of chance, sports betting, the horse racing industry, and all betting-related matters through a centralized regulatory framework (2). The commission's responsibilities include licensing, oversight, enforcement of regulations, and ensuring proper tax collection while preventing underage betting, gambling addiction, money laundering, and tax evasion.
"The games of chance of roulette, craps, cards, and bingo are hereby authorized in gambling rooms operated under a license issued according to the terms of this title, subject to the conditions and limitations thereof and the regulations prescribed hereunder."
Online poker remains illegal in Puerto Rico, as current legislation has not extended to authorize internet-based casino games beyond sports betting. Federal laws including the Wire Act and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act apply to Puerto Rico as an unincorporated territory, making interstate online wagering illegal (2). While sports betting was legalized both online and at physical locations in 2019, online casino games including poker are still under consideration for future regulatory expansion, potentially within the next three years.
Source:
https://law.justia.com/codes/puerto-rico/title-fifteen/subtitle-1/chapter-5/71/
https://bvirtualogp.pr.gov/ogp/Bvirtual/leyesreferencia/PDF/2-ingles/0081-2019.pdf
Last updated: 10-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
