Pennsylvania Joins Multi-State Poker Network in Successful Connection with BetMGM and WSOP
Here We Go, PA Online Poker Enthusiasts! It's a big day for you all! Pennsylvania's long-awaited integration with other states' online poker networks is now a reality, thanks to the recent merger between BetMGM Poker, Borgata Poker, and the WSOP Online network. Free at last, PA players can join the action with their counterparts in New Jersey, Michigan, and beyond!
Following a brief overnight downtime, the combined player pools are up and running, marking the beginning of a new era for Pennsylvania's online poker scene. This is a huge leap from the state's initial dip into the online poker market on November 4, 2019, when PokerStars took the lead as the first operator to roll out regulated online poker in the state.
Governor Josh Shapiro signed the agreement on April 23, paving the way for this grand event, and it's now live as of today. It's crucial to note that operator BetMGM has been quick off the mark, connecting their networks in New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, whereas WSOP now boasts a four-state network, making it the first operator in the US to achieve this feat.
The combined network of BetMGM Poker now spans across New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, with operator BetMGM having connected its NJ and MI player pools around six months ago. WSOP's online network, meanwhile, includes players from Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. The operator initially launched its shared liquidity network in 2014, connecting Nevada and Delaware, before expanding to New Jersey in 2018, Michigan in May 2024, and most recently, Pennsylvania in April 2025.
Danielle Barille, Vice President of Online Poker at Caesars Entertainment, expressed excitement about the development, saying, "The addition of the Pennsylvania player pool to WSOP Online comes at the perfect time, and we're ready to give avid poker players in The Keystone State the opportunity to raise the stakes on their poker play."
Celebrating the Merger
WSOP has announced an online bracelet series, the first to feature players from all four states competing for bracelets in a unified event. Though the schedule remains similar to last year's, with 30 events, ten of these will have their final tables played out in Nevada. For more details, check out this article.
BetMGM intends to celebrate the merger with a special freeroll tonight, dubbed the "Free-Note" freeroll. Typically a $109 buy-in event, it'll be completely free for all players from the three participating states. The winner will receive a $5,000 BetMGM Poker package, which includes a $3,500 seat at a live event in Las Vegas, along with $1,500 in cash for travel and accommodations.
A BetMGM May Millions series is also on the cards, running from May 8 to 11. With 18 events and $1 million in guaranteed prize money, this series promises to be the operator's biggest weekend event to date. Highlights include a $1,000 Championship Event with a $400,000 guarantee, a $2,500 Super High Roller, and another freeroll offering a BetMGM Poker Championship package.
Angus Nisbet, BetMGM Vice President of Gaming, hailed the expansion as a boost for their poker platform, saying, "Pennsylvania represents the largest state to join the shared player pool and turbocharges our poker platform...BetMGM Poker is ready to celebrate the growth of our shared liquidity network throughout the spring and summer in a variety of ways."
A New Era for Pennsylvania Online Poker Market
April 28, 2025, is a historic day for not just Pennsylvania but the entire regulated US online poker market. Pennsylvania stands as the largest state with active online poker, and its integration into the multi-state compact marks a significant leap forward for the industry. Though state regulators expressed interest in joining the compact as early as 2019, legal uncertainty surrounding the Wire Act had delayed progress.
The Shapiro administration stepped in by January 2023, with the compact making its way to Governor Shapiro's desk by early 2024. However, additional legislative action, along with a grassroots campaign led by several online platforms, was required to push the issue forward. In October 2024, Governor Shapiro directed the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) to prepare for joining the multi-state online poker agreement, and since then, things have moved swiftly. The board unanimously approved the move, negotiations began, and by the end of the year, Pennsylvania was officially invited to join. As of now, the state stands as the sixth member, joining Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan, and West Virginia.
PokerStars, the first operator to launch online poker in Pennsylvania and the first to combine New Jersey and Michigan players, has yet to join the compact. The reason for the delay is unclear, but continued inaction could impact PokerStars' position in the US market.
Another key player, BetRivers Poker, which currently operates solely in Pennsylvania, is eyeing expansion into New Jersey and Michigan. The company also has a unique opportunity in Delaware and is obligated to bring online poker there. However, BetRivers has yet to comment on its plans regarding Pennsylvania's latest developments or when it might take advantage of the expanded player pool.
- The merger between BetMGM Poker, Borgata Poker, and the WSOP Online network, signed by Governor Josh Shapiro, marks the regulated online poker's launch in Pennsylvania, merging with New Jersey, Michigan, and other states' networks.
- The combined network of BetMGM Poker now spans across New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, while WSOP's online network includes players from Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia.
- WSOP has announced an online bracelet series, the first to feature players from all four states competing for bracelets in a unified event, reminiscent of the traditional live events at Las Vegas.
- To celebrate the merger, BetMGM will host a special freeroll tonight, the "Free-Note" freeroll, offering a $5,000 BetMGM Poker package as the winner's prize.
- Besides the freeroll, BetMGM also plans to launch the May Millions series from May 8 to 11, featuring 18 events, $1 million in guaranteed prize money, and another freeroll offering a BetMGM Poker Championship package.
- The integration of Pennsylvania into the multi-state online poker agreement signifies a significant leap forward for the regulated US online poker market, as it stands as the largest state with active online poker, joining Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan, and West Virginia.
