After years of inaction, Pennsylvania is finally taking steps to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA).
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) confirmed that Gov. Josh Shapiro instructed Executive Director Kevin O’Toole via letter to move forward with the process on Oct. 10.
Shapiro penned letter greenlighting MSIGA participation
“In order to continue to remain competitive in the legalized gambling sector, I am expressing my strong support for Pennsylvania to join the MSIGA alongside Michigan, Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey and West Virginia. Pennsylvania should capitalize on our status as a leader in legalized gambling, and join this compact, which would bring in additional revenue for the Commonwealth and allow players more gaming options,” he wrote.
“My administration is prepared to do our part to help Pennsylvania compete in the gaming sector and continue to build a strong economy that works for everyone. My staff stands ready to assist you with this effort to ensure Pennsylvania’s joinder to the MSIGA as soon as possible.”
Gov. Tom Wolf was in office when the far-reaching gambling expansion bill passed in the state in 2017. Wolf was very supportive of the measure but failed to take in interest or push in online poker compacting even though it was written into the bill as something the PGCB could pursue.
Shapiro took office in 2023 and, to date, had not expressed any opinion on online poker.
PA online poker generated $29M in revenue last FY
Pennsylvania is currently the only active regulated online poker state that is not part of the MSIGA compact. Currently, WSOP Online is running two online poker series, one for residents of Nevada, New Jersey and Michigan and a separate one purely for Pennsylvania players.
West Virginia joined the MSIGA in 2023 but no operators have launched an online poker product in the state.
During the past fiscal year, Pennsylvania online poker generated $28.9 million in revenue compared to $525 million in table games revenue and $1.4 billion in slots revenue. Accordingly, online poker has always been a relatively low priority for both operators and states seeking gambling tax revenue.
With the increased liquidity MISGA provides, poker revenue is expected to grow but the industry remains stymied given the small number of states with legal online poker.
Meanwhile, one of the most popular brands in poker, the World Poker Tour, announced last month that it is planning to launch a sweepstakes poker product, ClubWPT Gold, in more than 40 states sometime in early 2025.
