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Pennsylvania Online Poker Set to Join Shared Liquidity Network Within Weeks?
Pennsylvania is on the verge of joining the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), with online poker operators preparing to merge player pools across multiple states. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board reportedly confirmed that the launch of shared liquidity is expected within weeks.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has reportedly confirmed to Pokerfuse.com that online poker shared liquidity involving Pennsylvania is nearing launch.
As per a report by Pokerfuse, PGCB Director of Communications Douglas Harbach stated that operators are preparing to merge Pennsylvania’s player pools with other states in the coming weeks, pending final approval.
The key regulatory milestone remaining is the signature from Governor Josh Shapiro to finalize Pennsylvania's participation in the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA). Once completed, operators will be permitted to implement cross-state player pooling.
“Our staff has already been working with those operators who wish to participate in the [Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement] when it has final approvals,” Harbach said, confirming that deployment could begin shortly after the final sign-off.
Timeline of Pennsylvania’s Online Poker Developments
Pennsylvania launched its regulated online poker market in 2019. Although there was initial interest in joining a multi-state compact, a revised interpretation of the federal Wire Act created legal uncertainties that delayed progress.
Subsequent clarifications by the U.S. Department of Justice determined that the Wire Act did not extend to online poker, allowing states like Michigan and West Virginia to proceed with MSIGA membership. Despite being the largest regulated online poker market in the U.S., Pennsylvania remained outside the compact for years.
In March 2024, a legislative effort to reinitiate the state’s engagement with MSIGA took shape. Former State Representative George Dunbar introduced House Bill 2078, designed to push the state toward joining the agreement. Dunbar, now a member of the PGCB, had been a longstanding advocate for shared liquidity.
The online poker community also mobilized around the issue through campaigns such as #GrowPAPoker, which highlighted the benefits of multi-state liquidity, including larger tournament prize pools, increased game variety, and more consistent player activity.
Public and legislative attention increased, culminating in Governor Shapiro directing the PGCB to proceed with MSIGA membership by late 2024.
Operators Preparing for Integration
While the PGCB has not officially named the operators preparing for shared liquidity integration, industry history suggests that PokerStars PA is the most likely to lead.
The operator previously linked its Michigan and New Jersey markets within six months of Michigan’s entry into MSIGA in 2022. Notably, PokerStars PA completed a significant server upgrade in January 2025, which may have been in anticipation of shared liquidity expansion.
WSOP PA is also technically positioned to move early. Its platform architecture is already compatible with its New Jersey and Nevada counterparts, enabling potential four-state player pooling that includes Pennsylvania.
BetMGM Poker, which connected its Michigan and New Jersey markets in November 2024, could act quickly to include its Pennsylvania operations.
However, the operator may delay until it is fully operational in Nevada to maximize integration across all available jurisdictions.
BetRivers Poker, currently live only in Pennsylvania, has confirmed plans to expand into MSIGA states including New Jersey, Michigan, Delaware, and possibly West Virginia.
Given its broader market entry timeline, BetRivers is expected to join the shared liquidity pool later in the year, potentially by summer.
Projected Rollout Sequence
If timelines proceed as confirmed by PGCB and implied by recent operator activities, PokerStars and WSOP are expected to be the first to implement shared liquidity involving Pennsylvania, potentially by the end of April 2025.
BetMGM may follow shortly thereafter, with BetRivers completing the network expansion later in the year.
This development positions Pennsylvania to become a key contributor to the national online poker landscape, enhancing both player experience and operator performance through multi-state liquidity.
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