Pennsylvania in Talks to Join Multi-State Gaming Compact

Harrisburg, PA — The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has initiated negotiations to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), following a request from Governor Josh Shapiro. The move, reported by PlayPennsylvania, could allow Pennsylvania's online poker players to participate in tournaments with competitors from other MSIGA states, potentially boosting the state's online casino market.

Key Takeaways:

• Pennsylvania has begun talks to join the MSIGA.
• If approved, it would become the sixth state in the agreement.
• Joining the MSIGA could strengthen Pennsylvania’s online casino market.

Typically, online casino and poker games are restricted to players physically present in the state offering the games. The MSIGA, however, allows poker sites to merge their player pools across participating states. This means players from multiple states can compete in the same poker tournaments, leading to larger pools, increased competition, and potentially higher prize amounts.

Entry into the MSIGA is seen as the final step in solidifying Pennsylvania’s status as a leader in the online gambling market. The state already holds a record for monthly iGaming (online slots and table games) revenue, surpassing $210 million, and consistently outperforms other states like Michigan and New Jersey in online casino earnings.

Shapiro’s Role in the Push to Join MSIGA

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“In order to remain competitive in the gambling sector, I am expressing my strong support for Pennsylvania to join the MSIGA alongside Michigan, Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, and West Virginia,” Shapiro wrote. “Pennsylvania should capitalize on our status as a leader in legalized gambling, and join this compact, which would bring in additional revenue for the Commonwealth and allow players more gaming options.”

PGCB Director Doug Harbach confirmed that Shapiro’s letter had been received but did not provide a timeline for when Pennsylvania might formally join the MSIGA. Currently, five states participate in the MSIGA: Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, and West Virginia. While Nevada focuses solely on online poker, the other states offer a broader range of online casino games. Michigan and New Jersey are the leaders in total online casino revenue among the participating states.

In August, Pennsylvania led the country in online casino revenue with $225 million, ahead of New Jersey’s $198.4 million and Michigan’s $196.7 million. Other iGaming states, such as Connecticut and West Virginia, trail behind, with Delaware and Rhode Island rounding out the lower end.

Though online poker generally represents a small portion of iGaming revenue—around 2% for Pennsylvania—joining the MSIGA could help to diversify the state’s gaming options and further strengthen its position in the online gambling market.

“In order to remain competitive in the gambling sector, I am expressing my strong support for Pennsylvania to join the MSIGA…which would bring in additional revenue for the Commonwealth and allow players more gaming options.”

Conclusion

Pennsylvania’s move to join the MSIGA signals a strategic effort to maintain its leadership in the competitive online gaming industry. If successful, it would mark a significant step toward expanding the state’s online poker community and enhancing its overall iGaming market. The outcome of the negotiations and the potential timeline for joining the MSIGA remain uncertain, but the decision could have lasting implications for both Pennsylvania’s players and the broader online gambling landscape.