Pennsylvania Expands Online Poker Horizons by Joining MSIGA
In late 2024, Pennsylvania made a historic move in online poker by accepting the invitation to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA). Doug Harbach, Public Affairs Director of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), announced the decision, which allows the state’s poker platforms to share traffic with five other MSIGA members: Delaware, New Jersey, Nevada, Michigan, and West Virginia.
A New Era for Online Poker:
Pennsylvania becomes the sixth state to join the agreement, standing out with its population of 12 million—the largest among members. This demographic advantage significantly increases the potential player pool, promising exciting opportunities for the poker community.
Impact on Players and Platforms:
For Players:
- Increased traffic and more active tables.
- Larger tournament series with higher guarantees.
- Greater competition by facing opponents from multiple states.
For Poker Platforms:
- Enhanced promotions and higher guarantees for events.
- Opportunities to expand multijurisdictional presence, especially for leaders like WSOP.com, PokerStars US, and BetMGM Poker, which already operate across multiple states.
When Will the Integration Begin?
While there is no exact launch date, the platforms’ technical readiness will determine the timeline. The first multi-state pools are expected to be operational by Q2 2025.