Pennsylvania Set to Join Multi-State Online Poker Pool

Pennsylvania is on the verge of entering the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), a move that will allow online poker players in the state to compete against players in other MSIGA member states. According to a report Thursday by Corey Sharp of PlayPennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has confirmed that the rollout of multi-state poker games could begin within weeks—possibly even before the end of April.

PGCB Communications Director Doug Harbach told Sharp that “networked poker under the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) would launch within the next couple of weeks,” pending a final procedural step from Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Once the governor finalizes the agreement, Harbach said he expects some licensed operators in the state to begin offering shared player pool games without delay.

 

The Recent Developments

This development marks a significant shift for Pennsylvania’s regulated online poker market. Since launching in 2019, the state’s online poker platforms have operated solely within Pennsylvania’s borders. Entry into MSIGA would enable players to join larger, multi-state tournaments and cash games, increasing both game availability and potential prize pools.

Currently, five operators are licensed to offer online poker in Pennsylvania: BetMGM Poker, BetRivers Poker, Borgata Poker, PokerStars, and WSOP.com. While the PGCB has not confirmed which of these will be among the first to launch multi-state games, some of the platforms already have shared liquidity experience in other markets.

BetMGM Poker and its associated brand Borgata Poker, for example, already link games between Michigan and New Jersey. WSOP.com connects players across Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware. PokerStars is also operational in Michigan, although its Pennsylvania platform has remained separate to date. BetRivers, which launched its poker offering in Pennsylvania, has yet to expand into other states.

The addition of Pennsylvania could dramatically increase the scale of multi-state poker games. With a population of nearly 13 million, Pennsylvania is among the top five most populous states in the country. That figure rivals the combined population of existing MSIGA members Delaware, Nevada, and New Jersey, offering the potential for a major boost in traffic to online poker rooms.

This increase in player volume could help support larger tournament schedules and more frequent games with higher guaranteed prizes. While online poker remains a small portion of Pennsylvania’s iGaming market, the state itself leads the nation in overall online casino revenue. In February 2025, Pennsylvania reported $261.5 million in iGaming revenue, outpacing New Jersey’s $228 million and Michigan’s $222.6 million.

Industry observers say the addition of Pennsylvania to MSIGA could mark a new chapter for legal online poker in the U.S., where player liquidity has been a persistent challenge. Multi-state agreements are considered essential for long-term growth and stability in the sector.

For now, the timeline hinges on final action from Governor Shapiro. If approved, Pennsylvania could become the latest state to offer shared online poker games, joining a growing list of jurisdictions working to expand the reach of regulated internet gambling.

 

Networked poker under the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) would launch within the next couple of weeks.

 

Players in participating states can expect staggered rollout schedules, depending on each operator’s readiness. However, for platforms like WSOP.com and BetMGM Poker, which already run multi-state games, Pennsylvania’s entry could allow for an almost immediate expansion in their offerings.

As Harbach noted, “some operators are ready to go.” The coming weeks will show which platforms move first—and how Pennsylvania players will begin to shape the national online poker scene.