Overall Thoughts About Legal Online Poker In Pennsylvania. Online poker in the state of Pennsylvania can be played legally at these offshore sites we mentioned. As far as the future of regulation at the state level, that is difficult to say. Online poker continues to be very popular in the United States and the future of legalizing. In the report, the analysts stated that if Pennsylvania legalized online gambling, including online poker, it could produce $307 million in additional annual revenue. The state of Pennsylvania is 45,055 square miles, containing, as of the last census, a population of just under 13 million.
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Last Updated January 29, 2020
In the fall of 2017, Pennsylvania became the fourth American state to legalize online poker. It took a little while but in late 2019 the first fully legal, regulated, online poker site opened for business in the state.
The state has been home to many famous poker players through the years, and with its burgeoning land-based casino market, more players than ever are flocking to the live poker rooms to play Hold’em or Omaha, cash games or tournaments…and now even tournament series. Due to the plethora of players in the state, online poker has remained popular through the years as well.
And in 2017, Pennsylvania followed New Jersey into the world of legalized and regulated online poker and casino games. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is currently accepting license applications from online gaming operators and partners, and the websites are expected to launch in the third or fourth quarter of 2018 and will join the other poker sites operating in PA.
Latest Updates for PA Online Poker
After online poker was legalized by the Pennsylvania legislature and governor in October 2017, there was a 60-day waiting period before regulations could be announced or implemented. After the holidays passed and the new year began, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board began to make announcements in February and March of 2018.
The entire process took much longer than most people anticipated, much to the dismay of players anticipating the launch of Pennsylvania online poker. There were few updates throughout 2018, with the exception of some comments about the future of the industry. One of the most notable came from Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) Director of Communications Doug Harbach, who said that the poker sites will launch individually at first. The notion of entering the multi-state online poker liquidity agreement with New Jersey, Delaware, and Nevada would be considered in the future. The other major 2018 event was the awarding of an online gaming license to PokerStars.
During a February 2019 meeting, PGCB Executive Director Kevin O’Toole noted that the gaming sites in Pennsylvania were “close” to launch, but the licensing process was nearly completed. At that time, he said sites could be running by the end of June 2019.
In April 2019, O’Toole revealed that there was a launch date of July 15 for interactive gaming sites. He said that all 10 online gaming certificate holders and three operators were informed about a coordinated live launch set for July 15.
However, as that date neared, it became clear that only a few of the internet gaming sites would launch on that date, and none of them would be poker sites. Three sites did launch – Hollywood Casino, Parx Casino, and SugarHouse Casino – with online casino games only. No poker sites launched, and little information was available as to their potential launch dates.
Finally, at the end of October, PokerStars announced that it would launch its online poker and casino product in Pennsylvania on November 4. Along with its land-based casino partner, Mount Airy Casino, the launch did happen on that day. And after only two days of limited-hour testing during the soft launch, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board gave its final approval for full operations.
On November 6, PokerStars PA opened for 24-hour online poker action. More than 500 players were in action during the first few hours, and the numbers grew quickly to eclipse the number of players online at the PokerStars New Jersey site.
The initial cash games offered NLHE, LHE, and PLO from $0.01/$0.02 to $25/50 ($50/$100 for LHE). Players eventually began to also try out more Omaha options, some Stud and Razz, 2-7 Triple Draw, and mixed games. Initial SNGs began with $1 buy-ins and NLHE and PLO tournaments at $3. There was also a Sunday MTT schedule established for the first weekend, and nearly every tournament significantly eclipsed the set prize pool guarantees.
Within two weeks of the site’s launch, PokerStars PA had already announced its first Pennsylvania Championship of Online Poker (PACOOP) for early December. The site is drawing significant players and consistently increasing offerings to meet the customer demand.
Despite PokerStars success in the state, no other online poker operator has announced their intention to launch in Pennsylvania. There will likely be announcements to that effect in 2020 but it remains in question whether PokerStars will get any competition for the PA market.
Pennsylvania Online Poker Rooms
The online poker operators and casino partners revealed as of early 2020 are as follows:
–Parx Casino via Greenwood Gaming (poker partner: GAN/Kambi)
–Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack via Chester Downs (poker partner: 888poker/WSOP)
–Mount Airy Casino Resort via Mount Airy #1 (poker partner: PokerStars)
–Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course via Mountainview (poker partner: IGT)
–SugarHouse Casino via Sugarhouse HSP Gaming (poker partner: Rush Street Interactive)
–Valley Forge Casino Resort via Valley Forge (poker partner: PartyPoker)
–Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem via Sands Bethworks Gaming (poker partner: unknown)
It is likely that Mount Airy/PokerStars will be the first site to launch, though Harrah’s/888 could be preparing for an early launch as well. Valley Forge/PartyPoker is another likely candidate. However, no sites are confirming launch dates or plans as of August 2019.
Pennsylvania Online Casino Launches
The following casinos have paid for initial internet gaming licenses, though some have yet to even reveal their partners for online casino slots and table games. What is known thus far is as follows:
–Parx Casino via Greenwood Gaming (partner: GAN/Kambi) – LIVE
–Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course via Mountainview (partner: IGT) – LIVE
–SugarHouse Casino via Sugarhouse HSP Gaming (partner: Rush Street Interactive) – LIVE
–Mount Airy Casino Resort via Mount Airy #1 (partner: PokerStars/StarsCasino) – LIVE
–Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack via Chester Downs (partner: 888/Scientific Games)
–Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem via Sands Bethworks Gaming (partner: unknown)
–Valley Forge Casino Resort via Valley Forge (partner: IGT/GAN/GVC/PartyCasino)
Legal Online Poker Sites In Page
–Presque Isle Downs Casino via Presque Isle Downs (partner: SBTech)
–Mohegan Sun Pocono via Downs Racing (partner: Scientific Games)
–Live! Philadelphia Casino via Stadium Casino (partner: unknown)
As noted, Parx, Hollywood, and SugarHouse casinos launched their online casino games, all on July 15, 2019.
Parx PA already offers more than 200 online slot games, along with a few table games like roulette, baccarat, and blackjack.
Hollywood Casino offers more than 60 online slots, video poker selections, and table games like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat.
SugarHouse launched the largest online casino with more than 300 slot games and a plethora of table games, such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and three-card poker.
Land-Based Casino – Supplier – Launch Date
- Harrah’s Phildelphia – 888 Casino, Scientific Games – July 15, 2010
- Hollywood Casino – IGT – July 15, 2019
- Mount Airy Casino – 888 Casino – Mid-Summer 2019
- Mohegan Sun Pocono – Unibet (Kindred Group, Pala) – July 15, 2019
- Parx Casino – GAN (Game Account Network) – Still Undisclosed
- SugarHouse Casino – Rush Street Interactive – July 15, 2019
- Valley Forge Casino – IGT/GAN – July 15, 2019
- Sands Bethlehem – Unknown – Sometime in 2020
Pennsylvania Online Sportsbooks
The online sportsbook partnerships known thus far are as follows:
–SugarHouse Casino via Sugarhouse HSP Gaming (partner: Kambi) – LIVE
–Valley Forge Casino Resort via Valley Forge (partner: FanDuel) – LIVE
–Rivers Casino Pittsburgh (partner: Rush Street Interactive) – LIVE
–Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack via Chester Downs (partner: 888)
–Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course via Mountainview (partner: William Hill)
–Mount Airy Casino Resort via Mount Airy #1 (partner: Fox Bet/BetStars)
–Mohegan Sun Pocono via Downs Racing (partner: Kindred)
–Parx Casino via Greenwood Gaming (partner: GAN)
–Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem via Sands Bethworks Gaming (partner: unknown)
The three sportsbooks listed atop the above list launched in May 2019. The online sports betting options now complement more than a handful of land-based live sportsbooks in casinos around Pennsylvania.
Land-Based Casino – Supplier – Launch Date
- Harrah’s Phildelphia – 888 Sports – Late Summer 2019
- Hollywood Casino Sportsbook – William Hill – Late Summer 2019
- Mount Airy Casino – Fox Bet (Stars Group) – Late Summer 2019
- Mohegan Sun Pocono – Unibet (Kindred Group, Pala) – Before NFL Season Begins
- Parx Casino – GAN (Game Account Network) – Could Launch Anytime
- SugarHouse Casino – Kambi Gaming – Before NFL Season Begins
- Valley Forge Casino – FanDuel Group – July 2019
- Sands Bethlehem – Unknown – 2020 or Later
- Rivers Casino – No Online Sportsbook – Note: SugarHouse is a sister site.
Pennsylvania Gambling Laws
Pennsylvania gambling laws have undergone a radical change since October 2017. Gov. Tom Wolf signed a bill into law which approved online poker, online casinos, daily fantasy sports, truck stop video lottery terminals, airport tablet computer betting, and satellite casinos. In 2018, sports betting and online bookmaker sites were approved. Here’s a full rundown of the laws.
| Type/Code | Summary |
|---|---|
| State Code Section(s) | 58.161-190; 58.401-1209; 61.901; 61.1001 |
| Definition of Interactive of Game | A gambling game offered through the use of communications technology that allows a person utilizing money, checks, electronic checks, electronic transfers of money, credit cards or any other instrumentality to transmit electronic information to assist in the placement of a bet or wager and corresponding information related to the display of the game, game outcomes or other similar information. |
| Definition of Interactive Gaming | The placing of wagers with an interactive gaming certificate holder or interactive gaming operator using a computer network of Federal and non-Federal interoperable packet switched data networks through which an interactive gaming certificate holder may offer authorized interactive games to registered players. The term includes the placing of wagers through the use of a multiuse computing device. |
| Definition of Interactive Gaming Device | The hardware, software and other technology, equipment or device of any kind as determined by the Board to be necessary for the conduct of authorized interactive games. |
| Definition of Interactive Gaming Operator | A person licensed by the Board to operate interactive gaming or an interactive gaming system, through the provision of an interactive gaming platform, on behalf of an interactive gaming certificate holder. |
| Definition of Interactive Gaming Skin | The portal to an interactive gaming platform or interactive gaming web site through which authorized interactive games are made available by an interactive gaming certificate holder or interactive gaming operator to registered players in this Commonwealth or registered players in any other state or jurisdiction which has entered into an interactive gaming reciprocal agreement. |
| Definition of Multi-state Agreement | The written agreement, approved by the Governor, between the Board and regulatory agencies in other states or jurisdictions for the operation of an interactive multistate wide-area progressive system. |
| Definition of Peer-to-Peer Interactive Gaming | An authorized interactive game which is nonbanking, in which a player competes against one or more players and in which the interactive gaming certificate holder collects a rake. |
| Online Poker/Gambling | Pennsylvania became the fourth state in the US to legalize online poker. It happened in late 2017 when the legislature also authorized online casino games as part of a larger gambling expansion package. Online poker is scheduled to launch in late 2018 or early 2019. |
| Live Poker | Most of the major casinos in Pennsylvania do host poker rooms, which offer live cash games and tournaments. |
| Casinos | There are more than a dozen land-based casinos in Pennsylvania, all of which are fully-functional casinos or racetracks turned into casinos with the capability to offer slots and table games. |
| Sports Betting | Sports betting was legalized in late 2017 with other forms of online gaming. Once the US Supreme Court overturned PASPA in 2018 to allow states to pursue sports betting, Pennsylvania began to establish regulations and move forward with its new industry. |
| DFS | Daily fantasy sports was a part of the 2017 bill that expanded gambling in Pennsylvania. It is now legal and regulated. |
| Other Forms of Gambling | Lottery, bingo, charitable gambling, video gaming terminals, horse and harness racing, on-track and off-track pari-mutuel betting, pull-tab games, tavern raffles. |
Pennsylvania Online Poker Sites
Everyone and their mother has lists of the “best” online poker rooms for Pennsylvania, but no one wants to tell you what their lists are based on. We don’t have any problem telling you how we generated our list of Pennsylvania’s top poker sites online; the formula is a combination of the site’s reputation (including holding a legal license), the value a site offers to players (through things like deposit bonuses and VIP programs) and the game variety at the room (number of games in terms of both volume and type).
After all, isn’t that what poker players are looking for? We think so, and that’s why we used this model to construct our top-ranked poker rooms for Pennsylvania players.
| Bovada | $500 Bonus | 3-4 Day Payouts | Accepts Visa, Bitcoin, Wires |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ignition | $2000 Bonus | 3-4 Day Payouts | Accepts Visa, Bitcoin, Wires |
| Intertops | $600 Bonus | 5 Day Payouts | Accepts Visa, Wires |
| BetOnline | $2500 Bonus | 5-7 Day Payouts | Accepts Visa, Bitcoin, Litecoin, Wires |
| Sportsbetting | $2500 Bonus | 5-7 Day Payouts | Accepts Visa, Bitcoin, Litecoin, Wires |
Can Poker Players from Pennsylvania Play Online Poker?
Can Rocky run up the stairs of the Philadelphia Art Museum? If you’ve never seen the movie, the answer is yes. Same for aspiring online poker players from PA; you can charge right on up those stairs. In fact, it would probably take you less time (depending on what kind of shape you’re in) to get your PA online poker account set up, funded and to sit in at your first game of poker online than it would to struggle your way up the multiple flights Rocky made famous.
Real Money Poker and Pennsylvania Law
Gambling laws are complicated. Each state in America has its own language and code for gambling activities, so any questions about the legality of any particular activity should be directly addressed to a legal professional. None of us here are that person.
As far as poker and Pennsylvania law, however, we can give you a basic understanding of what is legal and not legal. And as of 2017, live and online poker are now both legal.
Progress for Pennsylvania online poker sites began to gain momentum in 2016 when a bill passed the House of Representatives to expand gambling with a number of measures, including internet poker. The estimated revenue was even put into the budget that year, but the Senate allowed the bill to die.
More momentum came in 2017, as casino operators, lottery officials, and legislators began talking as early as January. Several bills were introduced by March, though one of them – HB.271 – was the primary target. As the bill moved around through committees, State Senators wrote the details of the bill to include online lottery sales, daily fantasy sports (DFS), and online poker and casino games. Several problems impeded progress at various points, however, as tax rates were very high and controversial video gaming terminals (VGTs) were pushed by the Senate.
That bill went back and forth, from the House to the Senate and back, with VGTs remaining the most contentious part of the bill. Debates continued through the summer, and gambling expansion was again added to the state budget. This time, however, the state was in dire need of a passable budget and additional revenue. Throughout the month of September and October, a flurry of activity surrounding that legislation made it difficult to follow, but the bill ultimately passed with a compromise on VGTs in October.
On October 30, 2017, Governor Tom Wolf signed the law, making it official that Pennsylvania became the fourth state to legalize online poker.
Pennsylvania FAQ
Which companies hold online gaming licenses in Pennsylvania?
The first licenses for online gaming in Pennsylvania were awarded in August 2018, with more awarded through October 2018. The list of casinos with internet gaming licensees is:
–Parx Casino via Greenwood Gaming
–Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack via Chester Downs
–Mount Airy Casino Resort via Mount Airy #1
–Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course via Mountainview
–Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem via Sands Bethworks Gaming
–SugarHouse Casino via Sugarhouse HSP Gaming
–Valley Forge Casino Resort via Valley Forge
–Live! Philadelphia Casino via Stadium Casino
–Presque Isle Downs Casino via Presque Isle Downs
–Mohegan Sun Pocono via Downs Racing
While most have yet to launch online gaming sites, there is no deadline to prepare and launch their gaming platforms in Pennsylvania.
What games are available?
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has authorized online poker, online casino games like slots and video poker, and table games like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. There will likely be a plethora of casino games available. As for online poker, it will be available in cash game and tournament formats, likely starting with Hold’em and Omaha games with more variants in the future.
What are the taxes, licensing fees, etc.?
Initial applicants for online gaming licenses had the opportunity to apply for a bargain rate of $10 million, which pays for online poker, online casino and table games, and slots. The three categories of licenses cost $4 million when sold separately, but operators applying for all three licenses at the start of the process in 2018 were able to obtain a $2 million discount. Each license will be valid for five years.
Gross gaming revenue from online poker and online table games will be taxed at 14% as a state tax, plus an additional 2% local tax. The online slot games tax is much higher, though, at 54%. The high rate matches that of the land-based casinos, but operators have been lobbying to reduce the rate for online gaming providers to give the industry a better chance for growth and overall success.
All Poker and Gambling Laws by State
The path of 888 and the WSOP.com poker site to the Pennsylvania internet gaming market has been a confusing one. And there has been no evidence of expediency whatsoever. Nearly three years after Pennsylvania legalized online gaming and nearly one year after PokerStars became the first – and still only
Read FullAfter a year of waiting and watching the Pennsylvania online gaming market come together, the pieces of the puzzle are beginning to fit. PokerStars, partnered with Mount Airy Casino in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, received its license to offer online poker. The awarding of the license happened at a Pennsylvania Gaming
Read Full- November 30th, 2018
Online poker isn’t the big selling point for internet gaming that it once was. Not only has it been showing in the New Jersey revenue numbers each month, where statistics show online casino games growing continually and poker declining nearly every month, it is becoming evident in the upcoming Pennsylvania
Read Full PokerStars has taken its time returning to the US market. The company painstakingly follows the gaming rules of each state, especially after its return via New Jersey to offer online poker to Americans – some of them – once again. And it plans to enter the new Pennsylvania market as
Read FullIn the several weeks since our last Pennsylvania online poker update, several things have taken place. Some land-based casinos inked deals with online partners, while other licenses were approved by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). Online poker has been included in some of these plans, but five licenses remain
Read FullThe road to Pennsylvania online gaming has been paved with some confusion, at least for the general public. In the offices of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, it is likely running like a well-oiled machine. There are essentially three types of licenses available for new industry participants: online poker, online
Read Full
Pennsylvania Gambling Research: Additional Resources
AGA State Guide: Pennsylvania . Get all of the basics on Pennsylvania’s regulated gambling industry in this resource from the leading national trade group for commercial casinos.
PA Council on Compulsive Gambling Resources (in multiple languages) for helping problem gamblers, along with links to additional sites and information regarding gambling in the Keystone State.
Sands Bethlehem. One of the more unique intersections of gambling and Pennsylvania history, the Sands Bethlehem (the only remaining casino in the US to bear the Sands name) sits on the site of former industrial powerhouse Bethlehem Steel.
Sources & Citations For This Article on Pennsylvania Online Poker
Pennsylvania has made strides to make online gamblinglegal over the last few years, and despite some bumps along the way, it becamethe fourth state to open its doors to legal online poker in 2019. This pagewill cover everything you need to know about the ever-changing online pokerlandscape and how you can find the best place to play.
Legal Online Poker Sites In Pak
History of legal Online Poker in Pennsylvania
Given its proximity to New Jersey, it is easy tounderstand why Pennsylvania moved quickly to legalize online gambling once theprecedent was set by its neighbors. The state wanted to reap the benefits oftaxing online gaming, and take advantage of the hole left in the online pokermarket after the DoJ seizure of major poker sites in 2011.
The legislation was introduced in 2017, and in October ofthat year, it passed into law, allowing all forms of online gambling to belegalized. It was in 2018 that the regulations were finalized and applicationswere being accepted. However, there wasn’t a mad rush from the 13 land-basedoperators that were given a first chance at the licenses. This was mainly dueto the cost of the application, which was $4 million per discipline (sports,casino, poker) or a combined price of $10 million for all three. Also, the taxrates for online gaming, which range from 32% to 51% depending on the game, areprohibitive to a company being profitable.
Finally, many of the casinos relented and applied forlicenses, including 7 online poker sites.
Online Poker sites in Pennsylvania
For now, this is a very short list. As of December 2019,the only site open to players from Pennsylvania is Poker Stars. There have,however, been several companies that have been given the approval to launchonline poker, including:
Harrah’s Casino Philadelphia
Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course
Parx Casino
Sands Bethlehem Casino Resort
SugarHouse Casino
Valley Forge Casino Resort
It is expected that all of these casinos, which havechosen online partners, will be live in 2020 and as they launch, we will expandthis page with reviews of each of the sites.
Poker Stars PA
Poker Stars remains the largest online poker site in theworld. While the play in Pennsylvania is currently limited only to residents ofthe state, that isn’t stopping the gaming giant from launching with many of thecompany’s great marketing and software features.
For fans of online poker tournaments, Poker Stars PA haslaunched with a great series of weekly guaranteed tournaments, featuring theirSunday Majors to make someone a big winner each week. The company is also wellknown for its Championship of Online Poker series, and Pennsylvania residentsgot their first taste of that action with the November 2019 PACOOP. You canexpect more of these special tournament events spread out across 2020 andbeyond.
Cash game experts or newbies will find something thatfits them at PokerStars PA. You can try games for free or play cash tables aslow as 1c/2c to cut your teeth. Cash games are spread across all the majorpoker disciplines, such as Omaha and Hold’em. Some of the tables are reservedfor those with larger bankrolls, but there is something for every skill levelat this site.
Online Poker Tournaments in Pennsylvania
If you love to play poker tournaments, then playingonline in Pennsylvania is something you are going to want to join! Some eventsrange in entry fees from mere pennies to hundreds of dollars, and there areeven lots of freeroll tournaments where you can build your bankroll withouthaving to make a deposit. Sit and Go Tournaments allow you to play with smallergroups of players without having to wait for a scheduled time, and with Turboand Hyper Turbo events, you can play an entire tournament in a very shortperiod. Check out the review pages for tournament overviews for each of theonline poker sites in Pennsylvania.
Online Poker Cash Games in Pennsylvania
Cash games tend to be made for much longer sessions thana tournament, and for those who are looking to play online cash games in Pennsylvania,you will find a wide range of games available. These games start atmicro-stakes and make their way all the way up to tables that will require youto sit down with thousands of dollars. The difference between cash games andtournaments is that your chip stack is not finite – if you bust at a cash gametable, you can just add more money to your account.
Payment Options in Pennsylvania
Online poker players in Pennsylvania will be thrilled toknow that there are multiple ways for you to get your money to and from thesites. This is such a relief for many players who were playing in theunregulated market, as the options are faster, safer, and much easier tonavigate. Here’s a sample of the payment methods that are available in theregulated gambling environment:
- Credit and Debit cards: This is the mostcommon form of payment at an online poker site. Some banks still reject thetransactions from online gambling companies, so your card may not work, but forthe most part, VISA and Mastercard are now approving regulated gamblingtransactions at online poker rooms.
- Land-based Casinos: Given that each ofthe online poker sites has to have a land-based partner (those are thecompanies that were awarded the licenses), you can actually head to a localfacility and make your deposits in cash. Not all the casinos will allow forwithdrawals via this method so you should doublecheck with our review pages asnew sites come online.
- Money order/check: For those of you thatare Luddites, this method is for you! It will take longer for the transactionto complete but has an excellent paper trail.
- eWallets: e-Wallet companies like PayPal,Neteller and Skrill became very popular payment methods for online gamblingsites in the 2000s. Despite being shut down by the U.S. government during thecrackdown on online poker, these are now approved methods once again in statesthat have regulated online gaming. Each site may offer one or all of these,butthey each provide a safe, efficient way to process deposits and withdrawals.
- eChecks: This is a common form of paymentwhich takes money directly from your bank account.
- Prepaid cards: If you don’t want to useyour personal accounts for online gambling, you can use one of the approvedprepaid methods to make your deposits at some of the sites.
- Bank wire: This can be a costly method ifyou are making a smaller deposit but will work well for those wanting to put alarger bankroll online.
Pennsylvania Online Poker FAQ
Why are there so few legal online poker sites in Pennsylvania?
There are several reasons why this is the case today, butit all starts with money. As mentioned earlier, the entry fee for anyonewanting an online poker license in Pennsylvania is USD 4 million, which is whymany of the land-based casinos turned down the opportunity. Add in a very hightax rate on the revenues generated from online poker and the system is set upfor many to fail. This was the case early on in New Jersey, so it seems thatoperators are taking a more conservative approach to the Pennsylvania market.
When will there be more sites open to me in this state?
This is difficult to pinpoint precisely, but it is safeto say that with the initial success of PokerStars PA, the interest inlaunching sites will increase into 2020. We will also look for more interstateagreements to share liquidity so that the pools of players are larger andtherefore easier to maintain. Check back on this page regularly as we willupdate it with any news that arises.
How old do I have to be to play online poker in Pennsylvania?
As per the rules and regulations set out by the state,all online players must be at least 21 years of age and be able to prove thatbirthdate to play online poker. It is not likely to be changed anytime soon asthis is also the minimum age for land-based gaming in the state.
Can Pennsylvania residents play sites from other countries?
You cannot access pools of players from other states orcountries, like Canada, for example, from Pennsylvania. There are still acouple of rogue operators that were not caught up in the Department of Justicecrackdown in 2011. However, while Americans can play at these sites, they are acontinued risk of being shut down at any time by the government. Also, becausethey are based offshore, it is increasingly difficult to get money to and fromthe site, with many of the sites opting for cryptocurrency-only transactionswhich are very volatile in nature.
Where can I learn more about online poker?
There are so many places that you can learn about onlinepoker, but if you are starting out in the game, look no further than this site!We have dedicated part of the site to giving players an overview of the mostpopular games and the basic strategy so that you feel comfortable logging onand playing some free games or micro-stakes tournaments.
Legal Online Poker Sites In Nevada
Why can’t I access my account when I am traveling outside Pennsylvania?
All online poker (and other gambling) activities aregeo-fenced in the U.S. This means that if you try to log into your account fromoutside the state line, you are likely going to receive an error message. Noneed to panic, though – this is only to protect players in the state and meantto have operators live up to the letter of the law. If you are playing with asite that has an agreement with another state for shared liquidity (none yetexist in PA, but no doubt is coming soon), then you would be able to log in andplay from any of the states in the agreement.