On April 23, Pennsylvania became the latest state to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), as announced by Gov. Josh Shapiro. This is good news for the state's online poker market and the MSIGA, opening up new opportunities for operators and players.
Key Takeaways
- Pennsylvania will be the sixth state to join the MSIGA
- Governor Josh Shapiro signed off on the deal, which starts April 28
- Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan, and West Virginia are the other members of MSIGA
First created in 2014 by Delaware and Nevada, the MSIGA aimed to allow licensed online poker sites to pool players across state lines. The goal was to enhance market liquidity, foster competitive play, and maintain high levels of fair play.
New Jersey signed up in 2017, followed by Michigan in 2022 and West Virginia in 2023. Pennsylvania's inclusion, the sixth to date, makes a significant contribution, being the largest state in the pact, adding over 150,000 online poker players and increasing the player pool by over 50%.
“This is a commonsense step to support hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians, grow our economy, and bring in more revenue to support our schools, our seniors, our small businesses, and more,” said Governor Shapiro.
“Three of our neighbors are already part of this agreement – and with this action today, we’re making sure Pennsylvania remains competitive in a rapidly growing online market.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) will oversee the Keystone State’s move into the multi-state network and closely coordinate with its licensed operators and other member state regulatory agencies to install a secure and fair gaming environment. All participating platforms must undergo rigorous platform testing, player protection, and responsible gaming.
First platforms to launch April 28
Pennsylvania players will have access to multi-state games on April 28. Online casinos, BetMGM and Borgata Online were revealed as the first platforms to introduce multi-state poker games in the state, with additional operators likely to follow as the market matures.
According to the PGCB, Pennsylvania's gaming industry is already the strongest in the U.S. It comprises 17 casino resorts and 22 approved internet gaming sites and helps fund over 15,000 jobs statewide.
Pennsylvania's legislative gaming also generates a significant amount of public funding, sending nearly $2.7 billion annually through tax refunds. Those dollars help to fund property tax relief for schools, agricultural programs, and neighborhood renovation projects throughout the Commonwealth.
The poker community has enthusiastically endorsed the switch to join MSIGA. Players have long been proponents of Pennsylvania's inclusion, citing benefits such as more competitive play, a greater variety of tourneys, and a safer, more-regulated alternative to offshore rooms.
By joining the compact, Pennsylvania helps to strengthen the legal U.S. online poker market and stimulate additional growth. With six states now in the mix, and Connecticut lawmakers debating similar legislation, the online gaming industry continues to make a comeback.
