The waiting game for online poker players in Pennsylvania may soon be over.
The state appears to be set to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement shared liquidity market within the next few weeks.
With the World Series of Poker approaching in May, the move could mean Keystone State players could compete in online bracelet events in a shared player pool with Nevada, Michigan, and New Jersey. A merged WSOP online event in all four states would mean larger player and prize pools than in previous years.
Pennsylvania players previously played several bracelet events that were only available to players within that state.
According to a report from PlayPennsylvania, “networked poker under the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement would launch within the next couple of weeks.”
PGCB communications director Doug Harbach told the outlet that some operators may be able to launch almost immediately when the state officially joins the MSIGA.
However, whether WSOP is ready to move forward with shared liquidity immediately isn’t known. The company upgraded its software in 2022 after Michigan joined the MSIGA and PlayPennsylvania reported that the new platform “can share liquidity relatively quickly.”
From a provider perspective, WSOP.com would have the most incentive to launch as soon as possible.
Pennsylvania joining the MSIGA would also allow PokerStars and BetMGM to share player pools. Both currently operate shared liquidity in New Jersey and Michigan but are not in the Silver State. BetRivers launched an online poker product in 2024 and is also interested in expanding to other states.
Pennsylvania could bring significant player and prize pool boosts to the MSIGA states, adding a population of almost 13 million people. Michigan’s population is 10 million, New Jersey has 9.3 million, and Nevada has 3.2 million. That brings the total population of all four states to 35.5 million.
West Virginia, with a population of 1.8 million, and Delaware, with 1 million residents, are also members of the MSIGA but have yet to see any poker operators launch. Connecticut is also currently considering a bill to join the agreement after legalizing online poker in 2021, but also hasn’t had an operator launch in the state yet.
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