We have breaking news: WSOP.com is about to share liquidity between Michigan, Nevada, and New Jersey!
You heard that correctly. For the first time, players on WSOP NV and WSOP NJ — who, as an aside, have long suffered having to play an old “classic” version of poker software — will be able to sit at the virtual felt with their counterparts playing on WSOP MI.
Players in New Jersey and Nevada are expected to be upgraded to the newer Poker 8 client shortly.
The combination of the three states’ player pools is a big win for players. There will be bigger tournaments and bigger prizes — and more of both.
It could also lead to further changes in the industry. Topping the list of possible consequences — could we also finally see BetMGM NV launch after this? Maybe.
- Up to $100 in free play with first deposit*
- Top-quality software
- Compete for WSOP bracelets & rings
How WSOP Tipped Its Hand
Pokerfuse became aware of WSOP’s plans when the operator announced details of WSOP Online Circuit Series in all three states scheduled for May 11-22.
The announcement of the online circuit events in all three states included verbiage that the events will feature “shared liquidity with Nevada and Michigan (as permitted by law).”
While none of the T&Cs mentioned sharing liquidity with New Jersey, it is assumed that the Garden State will be included since it already shares liquidity with Nevada. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania will remain a segregated market because it is not a member of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA).
Another clue that the upgrades and shared liquidity are coming is that the WSOP Online Circuit Event includes a $100 buy-in, $100,000 guaranteed Mystery Bounty on May 12 — Mystery Bounty only runs on Poker 8.
There was otherwise no formal announcement of the upgrades or the shared liquidity by WSOP.
More Pressure to Launch BetMGM NV?
The upgrades are long overdue, but now that they appear to be at hand, it will mark a big change for the industry.
WSOP will, for the first time, be able to share liquidity between its player pools in Michigan, Nevada, and New Jersey — three of the five members of MSIGA. That will help it compete with PokerStars, which has already combined its player pools in Michigan and New Jersey.
It also signals that, moving forward, shared liquidity and bracelet series between WSOP MI, WSOP NJ, and WSOP NV will be common.
All of this could very likely also nudge BetMGM to make progress on its plans to launch online poker in Nevada. Regulators in the state reluctantly granted the operator a license extension (its 14th) last week.
Like WSOP, the industry has long anticipated plans by BetMGM to combine its player pools. But the operator, a joint venture between Entain and MGM Resorts International, has yet to announce any formal plans to either launch in Nevada, or to combine its player pools in Michigan and New Jersey — something that it could do at any time.
