EloVault is a skill-based competitive chess platform. Due to varying state laws regarding skill-based wagering, the Platform is not currently available for deposits or wagered games in certain U.S. states.
What you can still do from a restricted state
- ✓Browse the lobby and view active games
- ✓View player profiles and game history
- ✓Spectate live games
- ✓Create an account (wagering features will be restricted)
What is restricted
- ✕Making deposits
- ✕Creating or joining wagered games
- ✕Withdrawing funds (existing balance can be withdrawn if you move to an allowed state)
Currently Restricted States
The following states are currently restricted based on our preliminary legal analysis. This list is subject to change as regulations evolve and upon completion of formal legal review.
| State | Reason |
|---|---|
| Arizona(AZ) | Requires 21+; complex tribal gaming compact |
| Arkansas(AR) | Prohibits wagering on skill-based contests |
| Connecticut(CT) | Strict gambling laws; skill game status unclear |
| Delaware(DE) | State-run gambling monopoly |
| Florida(FL) | Statute prohibits wagering on skill contests |
| Iowa(IA) | Requires 21+; strict DFS regulation |
| Louisiana(LA) | Requires 21+; parish-level gambling opt-outs |
| Montana(MT) | Gambling restricted to state-sanctioned operations |
| South Dakota(SD) | Broad gambling prohibition with limited exceptions |
| Tennessee(TN) | Prohibits skill-based wagering by statute |
Why some states are restricted
The legality of skill-based wagering varies significantly across the United States. Federal law (the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, or UIGEA) does not prohibit wagering on games of skill where the participant is the player. However, individual states regulate skill gaming differently.
Some states, like Florida and Tennessee, have statutes that explicitly prohibit head-to-head wagering on skill contests. Others have ambiguous laws where the legal status of peer-to-peer chess wagering has not been clearly established by courts.
EloVault takes a conservative approach: we restrict service in any state where skill-based wagering is clearly prohibited or where the legal risk is unacceptably high. We are working with gaming counsel to clarify the regulatory landscape and may expand availability as legal clarity improves.
VPN & Location Spoofing
Using a VPN, proxy, or any other technology to circumvent geographic restrictions is a violation of our Terms of Service (Section 10 & 13) and may result in account termination and forfeiture of funds. EloVault monitors for VPN usage and flags accounts for compliance review.
How we determine your location
EloVault uses IP-based geolocation to determine your physical state at the time of deposit, game creation, and game acceptance. We use the MaxMind GeoLite2 database for IP-to-location mapping. We do not use GPS, device location services, or any other precise location tracking. For more information, see our Privacy Policy (Section 2.2).
Questions or Updates
If you believe your state has been incorrectly restricted, or if your state has recently changed its laws regarding skill-based wagering, please contact us at support@elovault.gg.
We review this list periodically and upon legal counsel’s advice. Subscribe to EloVault updates to be notified when new states become available.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-522-4700 (NCPG, available 24/7).