On October 10, 2024, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro directed the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) to begin taking steps to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA). It marks a significant milestone not just for Pennsylvania online poker players but for the broader US online poker industry, as the Keystone State is the largest state where real money online poker is legal.
This move is a long-awaited step toward Pennsylvania joining the compact, allowing licensed online poker operators to combine player pools with other states that are part of the compact including New Jersey, Michigan, Nevada, Delaware and West Virginia.
For months, we have advocated for this outcome through our #GrowPApoker campaign, and now it feels like the collective voice of the Pennsylvania poker community has finally been heard.
While this achievement is just the beginning of what will be a process that could take months, it is important to pause and recognize everyone who made this happen. The road may not be over yet, but we are certainly heading in the right direction.
A Campaign Built by the Community
The #GrowPApoker campaign was nothing without the players, advocates, and supporters who rallied behind the cause. We saw countless tweets, emails, and messages sent to state representatives, lawmakers, senators, and the Governor’s office. The Pennsylvania online poker community stayed dedicated and made sure their voices were heard and they deserve immense credit for keeping the pressure on.
Thank you, Pennsylvania players — whether you reached out directly to lawmakers, participated in social media discussions, or simply kept the conversation going in your local poker circles, your engagement helped keep this issue in the spotlight.
We also want to acknowledge the poker operators who threw their weight behind this movement. Both PokerStars and GGPoker publicly supported #GrowPApoker, using their social media platforms to encourage players to get involved and push for the bill.
PokerStars PA went a step further by hosting a special freeroll with prize money tied to bill number $2078, further highlighting how important the state’s inclusion in the multi-state online poker compact would be for the poker ecosystem.
A Team Effort Across the Board
We would be remiss not to acknowledge the support from our fellow poker media outlets: PokerNews, Poker Org, and other poker-focused media platforms played a crucial role in amplifying the #GrowPApoker campaign.
Special thanks also go to Pennsylvania-based poker player and streamer Keith Becker, who tirelessly advocated for this cause, along with fellow state players like Jeff Stellwagon, Aaron Kramer, and many others who showed unwavering support across platforms, including the PA Discord servers.
We also appreciate the backing from industry voices like Steve Ruddock, Kevin Mathers, and Maureen for their contributions to the effort.
Rep. Dunbar’s Crucial Support
Last but certainly not least, our campaign would not have gained traction without the support of Rep. George Dunbar, a state representative from western Pennsylvania who also enjoys online poker.
Dunbar, alongside five other House lawmakers, introduced HB 2078 on March 5 — a concise, two-page bill aimed at making shared liquidity a reality in Pennsylvania by authorizing the PGCB to request joining MSIGA within 30 days of its passage. Although the bill was immediately referred to the House Gaming Oversight Committee and had bipartisan support, it ultimately did not pass.
However, Dunbar’s efforts kept the conversation alive in Harrisburg and gave the #GrowPApoker campaign a crucial boost. The governor’s recent directive to the PGCB feels like a direct result of that persistent legislative push.
Dunbar was always in touch with us and never hesitated to speak candidly. In an interview with Pokerfuse, he acknowledged the growing awareness of the #GrowPApoker campaign, crediting the PA poker community’s persistent efforts, including the barrage of tweets, emails, and public outreach, for getting the attention of key decision-makers, including the chairmen of the House Gaming Oversight Committee and other influential legislative leaders.
“The awareness level is up there,” Dunbar told pokerfuse. “That doesn’t necessarily mean things get done right away just because there’s awareness. As a group, we have to continue to push Leader Bradford on the Democratic side of the aisle to get the bill out of committee.”
Dunbar also noted how our May campaign even caught the governor’s attention, showing the impact of persistence and collective effort.
What’s Next?
The work is not done, and the PA poker community’s continued support will be essential in the coming months. While the PGCB now begins to take the necessary steps, we will be here advocating until Pennsylvania is officially part of MSIGA and players start benefiting from larger player pools, more tournaments, and a thriving poker ecosystem.
Let’s keep the momentum going! Together, we have made incredible progress, and the finish line is in sight.
Thank you again to everyone who helped in this effort — this is your victory as much as it is ours. Let’s keep pushing and ensure we see this through to the very end.
—The Pokerfuse Team
