PokerStars Lagging Behind in the Online Poker Shuffle
Interstate Poker Networks Extend to U.S., as BetMGM, WSOP Online Poker Welcomes Pennsylvania; PokerStars Continues Silence
The world of online poker in the States has been buzzing with excitement lately, as Pennsylvania officially joins the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA)! Now, Pennsylvania players can go head-to-head with their counterparts in other states, thanks to MSIGA. Joining forces alongside Pennsylvania in this agreement are Michigan, New Jersey, Nevada, Delaware, and West Virginia.
On Monday, April 28, shared liquidity for the Keystone State kicked off, marking a significant milestone. In response, both BetMGM (and its secondary brand, Borgata Poker) and WSOP Online widened their player bases, now connecting with Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New Jersey for BetMGM, and with those three states plus Nevada for WSOP Online.
However, a significant player is yet to join: PokerStars. Despite being the first operator to launch online poker in Pennsylvania back in November 2019, PokerStars has not yet stepped onto the shared liquidity stage in the Commonwealth. Although the reason behind their absence remains unknown, it's likely that they're hard at work ensuring everything gets squared away before pulling the trigger.
So don't fret, PokerStars players. Known for its dominant presence in the online poker scene, it's only a matter of time until they join the interstate party and deal with the repercussions as the last major player on Pennsylvania's online poker roster.
BetMGM and WSOP Ocean: Shared Liquidity Stars
In the meantime, both BetMGM and WSOP Online are enjoying the shared liquidity festivities. BetMGM hosted a special freeroll Monday night for players across the newly interconnected Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New Jersey. The event, which they creatively dubbed the "Free-Note," is similar to their standard "C-Note" tournament, usually costing $109 to enter. However, this time, the free event boasted a grand $30,000 prize pool, as well as a $5,000 Aria prize package for the winnerโconsisting of a $3,500 entry fee for a live tournament and $1,500 for travel and accommodations.
Meanwhile, WSOP Online made headlines by revealing its 2025 WSOP Online Bracelet schedule. In years prior, Pennsylvania residents were able to participate in WSOP Online bracelet events, but they played separately. Now, all 30 tournaments are open to those seated at WSOP Online in Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey, and Nevada.
Five of the online bracelet events will host live final tables in Las Vegas, while a first-ever Online Gold Bracelet Leaderboard will see over $30,000 in prizes being distributed.
BetRivers Poker: Aloha from the Sidelines?
For now, BetMGM, WSOP Online, and PokerStars are the only interstate poker networks in the U.S. online poker market. However, this trio may soon be joined by some new competition. Albeit without a specified timeline (so maybe "soon" is a bit optimistic), Rush Street Interactive (RSI) intends to introduce BetRivers Poker in numerous states and link player pools.
BetRivers Poker, the revamped U.S. spinoff of Phil Galfond's Run It Once Poker, made its Pennsylvania debut in late October 2024. RSI had already been working toward launching BetRivers Poker in Michigan and New Jersey, but no release date has been announced publicly.
Delaware, currently in limbo, may also receive some attention from RSI. Despite being the home to racinos offering online poker for about ten years using 888's platform, the Delaware Lottery shifted to RSI as its online gaming provider in early 2024, effectively shutting down online poker in the state. Given RSI's potential expansion, they could help connect Delaware to the other states and potentially bring West Virginia, which lacks poker rooms despite legalized online poker, into the online poker scene.
- PokerStars, known for its dominant presence in the online poker scene, is yet to join the shared liquidity platform in Pennsylvania.
- Although reasons behind their absence are unknown, PokerStars is likely working to ensure everything gets squared away before joining the interstate poker party in the Keystone State.
- Meanwhile, BetMGM and WSOP Online are enjoying the shared liquidity benefits, offering tournaments and events for players in Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey, Nevada, and Michigan.
- With PokerStars yet to join, Rush Street Interactive's BetRivers Poker may soon enter the U.S. online poker market, potentially linking player pools in Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey, Nevada, West Virginia, and even Delaware.
