Casinos in Pennsylvania are hotter than the July sun.
Just three months ago, Pennsylvania took a big step forward in online gaming. The Keystone State became the sixth to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA).
This move, pushed forward by Governor Josh Shapiro, allows online poker sites in Pennsylvania to connect with those in New Jersey, Michigan, Nevada, Delaware, and West Virginia.
BetMGM and Borgata Poker were the first to offer these multi-state games. By becoming part of this agreement, Pennsylvania is now in line with other major gaming states, providing more opportunities for online poker operators and players. Caesars Entertainment also expanded its WSOP poker platform in PA.
Key Advantages for Pennsylvania Online Poker Players
- Larger Prize Pools: The integration with MSIGA enables shared liquidity across states, allowing players to access bigger tournaments and higher prize money without the need for increased buy-ins.
- 24/7 Game Availability: With more players online, games are more readily available, and there is a wider variety of tournaments to choose from, including niche poker variants that were less feasible within Pennsylvania alone.
- Higher Cash Game Stakes: The expanded player pool facilitates higher cash game stakes, with more tables and greater liquidity ensuring larger pots and more exciting gameplay.
Economic Benefits for Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has clearly benefited since joining the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, both economically and in terms of industry growth and player engagement.
Record Revenue: Pennsylvania's gaming industry hit a new high of $6.4 billion in gambling revenue for the fiscal year ending June 2025, with tax revenue from regulated gambling —driven partly by expanded online poker— contributing over $2.7 billion annually. This marks a notable increase over previous years, and experts attribute a portion of this growth to MSIGA-fueled online poker expansion.
Enhanced Economic Impact: State officials, including Governor Josh Shapiro, highlight MSIGA's role in boosting revenue streams that support schools, seniors, small businesses, and public projects. Local technology providers, marketing firms, and customer service sectors are seeing increased demand as the multi-state poker market grows, resulting in more job opportunities and economic activity in Pennsylvania.
Player Pool Growth and Market Leadership: MSIGA has expanded Pennsylvania's online poker player pool by more than 50%, making it the largest state in the agreement and revitalizing its position as a national leader in online poker. Operators, such as BetMGM and Borgata Poker, report larger tournament prize pools, greater player engagement, and higher traffic on multi-state tables.
Broader Benefits: Shared liquidity means bigger tournaments, increased cash game activity, and more consistent market growth across all participating MSIGA states, with PA setting a strong precedent for future interstate agreements.
The net effect is seen in both measurable financial results and qualitative improvements to the gaming ecosystem, confirming that Pennsylvania’s entry into MSIGA has brought widespread benefits to the state’s economy, its workforce, and its online poker community.
The Journey to MSIGA Membership
Pennsylvania's decision to join MSIGA was the result of years of legislative and administrative efforts.
The turning point came in 2024 when Governor Shapiro directed the PGCB to prioritize membership in the agreement. Joining MSIGA places Pennsylvania alongside gaming powerhouses like New Jersey and Nevada, positioning the state as a key participant in the U.S. regulated online poker landscape.
Anticipated Developments
While BetMGM and Borgata Poker were the first to offer multi-state online games to players in Pennsylvania, other platforms such as PokerStars and WSOP.com are expected to roll out their MSIGA-enabled offerings soon.
The integration has been warmly welcomed by poker rooms and players across the state, paving the way for enhanced innovation and competition in the online gaming sector.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) is actively collaborating with other states to uphold fairness, security, and responsible gaming across the multi-state network. New security protocols and tax frameworks have been established to ensure smooth operation and regulation of the shared player pool.
Larger and More Attractive Prize Pools Are Being Offered
With shared liquidity across multiple states, Pennsylvania’s participation in MSIGA allows online poker operators to consolidate players from all member states. This integration has several benefits:
- Bigger Tournament Guarantees: More active players enable poker rooms to confidently offer higher guaranteed prize pools, reducing the risk of overlays and allowing for more ambitious events.
- Broader Tournament Variety: A larger player base means operators can host a diverse range of tournaments, catering to higher-stakes, mid-stakes, and niche poker variants.
- Sustained Growth and New Players: As more platforms expand their multi-state offerings, the prize pools are expected to grow annually. Large tournaments and prize pools attract new signups, creating a cycle that continually boosts liquidity and prizes.
Pennsylvania's entry into MSIGA heralds a new era for the state's casinos and online poker scene. With numerous benefits for both players and the economy, Pennsylvania is poised to become a major player in the U.S.-regulated online gaming industry.
