**Pennsylvania Joins the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement for Online Poker**
Benefits of Joining the MSIGA
- More games to choose from and larger prize pools for players
- Support for smaller operators and reduced unregulated play
- Increased security and a more regulated online gaming environment
What This Means for Pennsylvania Online Poker Players
Pennsylvania’s long wait is over, and the state is now part of the MSIGA, which means online poker players can compete against players in Michigan, Nevada, and New Jersey.
Pennsylvanians will be officially added to the player pool at 9 a.m. ET on April 28, marking the beginning of a new era in online poker for the state.
“This is a commonsense step to support hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians, grow our economy, and bring in more revenue to support our schools, our seniors, our small businesses, and more,” said Governor Shapiro.
BetMGM Poker Leads the Way
BetMGM Poker will be the first to host games against players in other states, and they’re celebrating with a $35,000 freeroll on April 28 at 7:05 p.m. ET.
Payouts will include cash and a $5,000 package to the BetMGM Poker Championship at Aria Casino in Las Vegas.
“Pennsylvania represents the largest state to join the shared player pool and turbocharges our poker platform,” said BetMGM Vice President of Gaming Angus Nisbet.
Online Poker History in Pennsylvania
Online poker was legalized in Pennsylvania in 2017, but it wasn’t until 2023 that Governor Shapiro took action to join the MSIGA.
The first online poker platforms launched in Pennsylvania in 2019, including PokerStars, BetMGM, Borgata, and WSOP.com.
All four platforms offer bonuses for registering new accounts, and online gaming is regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
Pennsylvania’s Online Gaming Market
Pennsylvania’s online gaming market has been growing rapidly, with record igaming revenue in March.
The state’s net igaming revenue was $574.5 million, a 3.6% increase from the same month last year and a 20.4% increase from February’s total.
Online poker revenue was $2.6 million in March, with the majority of revenue coming from online casinos.
Pennsylvania Online Casino Welcome Bonuses
Pennsylvania’s online casinos offer some incredible welcome bonuses, including a 100% deposit match up to $1,000 and a $25 no-deposit bonus from BetMGM Casino.
Other online casinos in Pennsylvania offer similar bonuses, such as FanDuel Casino’s 350 bonus spins and $40 casino bonus.
Conclusion
Pennsylvania’s joining of the MSIGA is a major development for the state’s online poker market, offering a wider range of games and better prize pools to players.
As the state continues to grow its online gaming market, it’s clear that Pennsylvania online poker players will benefit from this expansion and have access to more exciting and competitive games.
| Online Poker Platforms in Pennsylvania | PokerStars, BetMGM, Borgata, WSOP.com |
| Online Poker Welcome Bonuses | 100% deposit match up to $1,000, $25 no-deposit bonus, 350 bonus spins, $40 casino bonus |
“This is a commonsense step to support hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians, grow our economy, and bring in more revenue to support our schools, our seniors, our small businesses, and more.” – Governor Shapiro
Expansion of Online Poker Games and Prize Pools
Pennsylvania online poker players will now have access to more games and larger prize pools, which is expected to increase the excitement and competition in the online poker market.
Small online poker operators will also benefit from the expansion, as it will provide more opportunities for them to compete with larger operators and attract more players to their platforms.
Regulated Online Gaming Environment
The MSIGA provides a regulated online gaming environment, which will increase player security and reduce the risk of unregulated play.
The agreement also establishes protocols for member states to share laws, rules, and regulations governing internet gaming and licensees.
Key Dates
- April 28: Pennsylvania online poker players will be officially added to the player pool and can start competing against players in other states
- April 28, 7:05 p.m.
