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Pennsylvania Joins MSIGA for Shared Online Poker
Pennsylvania joins MSIGA for shared online poker, officially expanding its poker player pool across state lines and marking a major milestone for regulated poker in the U.S.
Governor Josh Shapiro signed the agreement on April 17, 2025, making Pennsylvania the sixth state to enter the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) alongside New Jersey, Nevada, Delaware, Michigan, and West Virginia.
By joining MSIGA, Pennsylvania connects its 150,000 online poker players to a larger, multi-state network—boosting liquidity, increasing prize pools, and expanding the range of available games.
“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 in a public statement.
With a population of over 13 million, Pennsylvania instantly becomes the largest state in the network, increasing the combined player pool by over half.
Key Highlights
| Pennsylvania Joins MSIGA | Officially signed in April 2025, becoming the sixth state to enter the compact. |
| Shared Liquidity Now Live | BetMGM Poker PA and Borgata Poker PA launched multi-state play on April 28, 2025. |
| Player Pool Growth | Pennsylvania’s entry increases MSIGA’s reach by more than 50%, connecting over 38 million players. |
| Bigger Games and Prizes | Players now access larger prize pools, faster tournaments, and more game variety. |
| More Operators to Follow | PokerStars PA and WSOP PA expected to join shared liquidity soon. |
Shared Liquidity Now Live
As of April 28, 2025, Pennsylvania players are officially part of the multi-state online poker network. BetMGM Poker PA and Borgata Poker PA were the first operators to launch, linking their player pools with New Jersey and Michigan.
Other major platforms, including PokerStars PA and WSOP PA, are expected to join the shared liquidity network in the coming months. Both operators have a strong track record managing interstate player pools and are well-positioned for expansion.
Want to know where to play? Check out the best online poker sites in Pennsylvania here.
What MSIGA Means for PA Poker Players
Shared liquidity brings several major benefits to Pennsylvania’s online poker community:
- Larger prize pools without higher buy-ins
- Faster game start times thanks to bigger player fields
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has confirmed that all games will continue to meet strict standards for fairness, security, and responsible gaming.
A Long Road to Shared Liquidity
Pennsylvania’s path to MSIGA membership has been years in the making. In fact, Pennsylvania legalized online poker in 2017. Even so, legal uncertainty around the federal Wire Act delayed progress. Ultimately, a key 2021 court ruling clarified that the Wire Act applied only to sports betting, clearing the way for interstate poker agreements.
Momentum picked up in October 2024, when Governor Shapiro directed the PGCB to formally pursue MSIGA membership. Backed by strong industry support and public campaigns like #GrowPAPoker, Pennsylvania finalized its entry just months later.
In fact, the rollout was one of the fastest to date. While Michigan took several months to launch its first shared player pools, Pennsylvania made the transition in under six.
Economic Impact
Pennsylvania’s gaming industry remains a key pillar of the state’s economy. It includes:
- 17 retail casinos
- 22 online casino platforms
- Over 15,000 gaming-related jobs
Legalized gambling generates nearly $2.7 billion in annual tax revenue, funding education, agriculture, small business grants, and public development projects.
By joining MSIGA, Pennsylvania is positioned to grow its gaming revenue further. A larger player base and expanded online tournament offerings are expected to fuel that growth.
A Major Win for Pennsylvania and U.S. Online Poker
Pennsylvania’s entry into MSIGA marks a milestone not only for the state but for the broader U.S. online poker landscape. As the largest state in the compact, Pennsylvania’s participation strengthens the case for interstate poker. It also sets a strong precedent for other states still on the sidelines.
As a result, with more players in the pool, operators can offer larger tournaments and bigger guarantees. In addition, traffic across markets is becoming more consistent. Looking ahead, the move could prompt states like New York and Connecticut to take a closer look at joining. This is especially likely if Pennsylvania’s rollout continues to build momentum.
The decision to join MSIGA has been widely welcomed by players across Pennsylvania. Shared liquidity offers:
- Larger, more competitive player fields
- Expanded tournament schedules
- Bigger prize pools
- Faster game start times
The move has also has been well received across the broader poker community. Operators are already reporting increased tournament activity and stronger cash game traffic across the shared network.
What’s Next?
With MSIGA now live in Pennsylvania, the network connects more than 38 million Americans.
Current member states include:
- Delaware
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- Michigan
- West Virginia
- Pennsylvania
Connecticut is currently exploring MSIGA membership, and advocates continue to push for larger states like New York and Illinois to follow. For now, PA poker players are enjoying the long-awaited benefits of shared liquidity—bigger games, faster action, and a faster-growing, more dynamic online poker community.
Want to hear more? PokerGo President Mori Eskandani recently sat down with Governor Shapiro to discuss Pennsylvania’s entry into MSIGA and the future of online poker.
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