At long last, the wait is over.
Pennsylvania, the largest regulated US online poker state, has officially joined the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), clearing the way for operators to link their player pools with other member states.
Governor Josh Shapiro signed the agreement today, making Pennsylvania the sixth state to enter the compact alongside Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan and West Virginia.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has confirmed that shared liquidity online poker will go live on April 28, with BetMGM Poker and Borgata Poker named as the first operators to launch cross-state poker networks.
- Up to $100 in tournament tickets on top of the bonus
- Frequent MTT series with good guarantees
- Combined player pools in Michigan and New Jersey
Terms & Conditions apply. Must be 21+. PA Only. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable site credit, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Terms. If you or someone you know has a Gambling Problem, help is available, Call 1-800-GAMBLER. In Partnership with Hollywood Casino Penn National Race Course.
Visit BetMGM.com for Terms and Conditions. Must be 21+. NJ only. New Customer Offer. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable site credit and/or tournament entries. Rewards subject to expiry. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Terms & Conditions apply. Must be 21+. MI Only. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable site credit, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Terms.
Bet With Your Head, Not Over It. Must be 21 or over and in Michigan to play. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call the MDHHS Gambling Disorder Help-line at 1-800-270-7117 or visit the MDHHS website.
That means players on BetMGM Poker PA and Borgata Poker PA will soon be able to compete directly against players in Michigan and New Jersey, a significant leap forward for the platforms and the players alike.
Other operators, such as PokerStars PA and WSOP PA, are expected to follow shortly, although the regulator has not provided a specific timeline.
The Shapiro administration emphasized that this move is a “commonsense step” that supports players, boosts the state’s gaming industry, and strengthens the economy.
“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 the press release.
“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.
Years in the Making
The move marks a long-anticipated breakthrough for Pennsylvania poker, home to an estimated 150,000 online poker players as per the PGCB and now the largest state to join the shared liquidity network. With its entry, the combined player pool grows by over 50%, paving the way for bigger prize pools, greater game variety, and a more robust online poker ecosystem.
That timeline marks one of the fastest MSIGA rollouts seen to date. For comparison, it took Michigan several months to launch its first shared liquidity network after joining the compact in 2022.
The journey to interstate online poker membership has been years in the making. Pennsylvania legalized online poker in 2017, with the first operator launching in 2019. At the time, officials expressed interest in joining the multi-state agreement, but progress stalled due to legal uncertainty stemming from a reinterpreted opinion of the Wire Act, which cast doubt over the legality of interstate poker.
That uncertainty persisted until 2021, when courts confirmed that the Wire Act applied only to sports betting. Other states moved ahead with MSIGA membership, but Pennsylvania remained on the sidelines.
The breakthrough finally came in October 2024, when Governor Shapiro directed the PGCB to begin the process of joining MSIGA. The move followed a public push by former State Rep. George Dunbar, who introduced HB 2078 to advocate for shared liquidity. Around the same time, pokerfuse launched the #GrowPAPoker campaign, urging lawmakers to act, efforts that rallied players and helped tip the scales.
With the agreement now signed, Pennsylvania regulators will begin coordinating with other MSIGA member states and in-state operators to complete the integration process. The PGCB has already set April 28 as the official launch date.
PokerStars and WSOP are also expected to follow closely behind. PokerStars previously merged its Michigan and New Jersey player pools just six months after Michigan joined the compact. WSOP, meanwhile, already has software tech ready between its PA, NJ, and NV platforms, positioning it well for a smooth rollout.
BetRivers Poker, which is actively preparing to launch in several other MSIGA states, may also join the shared liquidity network later this year.