The journey to shared poker liquidity for Pennsylvania players is finally gaining momentum. After years of advocacy, debates, and a fair share of legislative setbacks, it’s starting to look like Pennsylvania may join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) in time for WSOP 2025. For the state’s online poker fans, the potential to compete with players from other states isn’t just an upgrade — it’s a game-changer.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro recently set things in motion with a directive to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) to start negotiations for joining MSIGA. This move, widely applauded by poker advocates and players alike, represents a significant step forward in transforming Pennsylvania’s online poker landscape.
As the fifth most populated state, Pennsylvania brings a hefty player base of nearly 13 million residents, making it a valuable addition for the MSIGA network and an exciting prospect for multi-state poker enthusiasts.
Streamlining Pennsylvania’s Entry into MSIGA
Joining a multi-state agreement like MSIGA can be a lengthy process, but Pennsylvania may have a few advantages. For one, the groundwork has been laid by other states, offering a “roadmap” that PGCB officials can follow. States like Michigan and West Virginia joined MSIGA more recently and worked alongside other compact members to ensure an efficient transition. In Michigan’s case, for example, the timeline from initial discussions to full membership was relatively short, taking only a few months in 2022. This could serve as a model for Pennsylvania as it embarks on the same path.
PGCB officials have already begun taking procedural steps, with recent meetings focusing on advancing the state’s MSIGA application. This familiarity with MSIGA processes and relationships with other state gaming regulators may allow Pennsylvania to sidestep some of the delays seen in previous state applications.
Governor Shapiro’s Role and the PGCB’s Next Steps
Governor Shapiro’s recent directive to the PGCB marks a critical turning point. By formally requesting that the board begin MSIGA talks, he has ensured that Pennsylvania’s entry into multi-state poker has a strong backing at the state’s highest levels. The PGCB has ratified a motion to expedite this process, meaning Pennsylvania’s application could soon be on MSIGA’s table, awaiting review and, hopefully, an invitation for admission. Should the compact’s current members accept, the final decision will head back to Shapiro’s desk for his signature.
One key difference in Pennsylvania’s approach is that operators won’t need additional permission from the PGCB to launch multi-state poker once MSIGA membership is secured. This can drastically shorten the timeline, allowing players to access multi-state games without the wait seen in states like Michigan, where regulatory clearance was needed at each step.
What WSOP 2025 Could Look Like for Pennsylvania Poker Players
If Pennsylvania joins MSIGA in time for WSOP 2025, the impact could be immediate and substantial. For starters, Pennsylvania poker players would have the chance to participate in the larger, multi-state tournaments, potentially doubling or tripling the player pool and boosting prize pools. Where previous WSOP events saw Pennsylvania players confined to a separate set of tournaments, multi-state poker would allow them to compete alongside players from Nevada, Michigan, and New Jersey. This shift could mean that the 2025 WSOP Online tournament schedule includes far more bracelet events, providing Pennsylvania players access to a robust series that includes dozens of online bracelets up for grabs.
With all eyes on Governor Shapiro’s next move and the ongoing discussions at the PGCB, Pennsylvania players could soon find themselves part of the country’s largest online poker network, ready to take on the competition from across state lines.
English