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On Thursday, Sept. 24, ClubWPT Gold users in Nevada received an email saying the online poker site would wind down services in the state. Sweepstakes gameplay ended Monday, Sept. 28, and the Oct. 2 deadline to redeem balances has passed.
The email read:
“As part of changes to our operations in response to state regulatory action, ClubWPT Gold will be winding down services in Nevada.”
Purchases and postal requests were disabled immediately. Gameplay ended at 12 a.m. PDT on Sept. 28, and players were encouraged to submit redemption requests by 12 a.m. PDT on Oct. 2.
The restrictions apply only to customers physically located in Nevada, who can still use the site, buy hand analysis and redeem balances in permitted jurisdictions.
Why sweepstakes poker keeps drawing scrutiny
ClubWPT Gold operates in a legal gray area, and sweepstakes poker has drawn heavy pushback from regulators over the past couple of years. Sweepstakes models let operators work without a state gaming license, which is a major reason states have targeted them.
The site has since changed its approach. According to Card Player, ClubWPT Gold repositioned itself as a poker training site to stay within the law, including in California, where it still operates. Players buy a hand analysis product and receive Chips, which can be redeemed for cash at a 1-to-1 ratio.
California lawmakers moved to ban the sweepstakes model in October 2025, and ClubWPT Gold pledged to adjust its platform before the law took effect Jan. 1.
Exit lands before WPT World Championship
The exit comes at an awkward moment as the site’s Crown Series runs through Oct. 11. The WPT World Championship Festival, with more than 80 events, is scheduled for Nov. 27 to Dec. 21 at Wynn Las Vegas.
One of the new events is the $400 Super Gold Million, a Mystery Bounty tournament with a $3 million guaranteed prize pool. It is a spinoff of the Gold Million hosted on ClubWPT Gold. The operator has not confirmed whether the Nevada pause will affect the event, according to Poker.org.
Nevada online poker, but WSOP.com is the only licensed platform in the state, so it stands to gain players from its direct competitor. The site operates around the clock and hosts WSOP bracelet and WSOP Circuit ring events. The Fall WSOP Online Poker Festival, with 33 bracelet events, began Sept. 27 and runs through Nov. 10.
ClubWPT Gold hints at Nevada return
In a second email, ClubWPT Gold described the exit as a pause and struck a hopeful tone:
“We are optimistic that with product modifications we can resume offering sweepstakes gameplay in the future.”
Card Player reported the hint of a return, but the company has not released a timeline or said what the modifications would be. Poker.org said the site directed questions to its updated statement.
Nevada and other states are taking action against sweepstakes models, so the future of sweepstakes poker sites and casinos remains uncertain.
