Pennsylvania Online Poker

2022 Update: Online Poker in Pennsylvania

Online poker is up-and-running in Pennsylvania. They became the fourth state to legalize online poker in 2017. After that, online poker went live in 2019. The Keystone state now has several poker sites running at full-steam with PokerStars leading the charge. PokerStars PA even hosted the Pennsylvania Online Poker Championship in November 2019. The series had 10 events and culminated with a $300 buy-in, $125,000 guarantee Main Event.

Similarly, other popular poker sites have partnered with land-based casinos in Pennsylvania. 888Poker and the World Series of Poker PA (wsop.com) launched a site and Party Poker partnered with MGM and Boyd Gaming. Additionally, several other land-based casinos will eventually provide online gaming too. Therefore, keep your eye on the state as several more sites start popping up.

Online poker is still pretty new in Pennsylvania. But the state has quickly become one of the largest poker markets in the United States through the sites and poker apps available. Poker is still growing in Pennsylvania, but one key question remains. Will Pennsylvania join New Jersey, Nevada and other states in a joint player pool?

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania skyline

History of Online Gaming in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is one of the more lenient states when it comes to gambling and its laws. For example, they allow charitable gaming, commercial casinos, pari-mutuel betting and state lottery games. Aside from being lenient, Pennsylvania has a history of expanding gaming. For example, the state passed several new laws in the last decades to pave the way for this.

Casino gaming is relatively new in Pennsylvania. This is thanks to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The board started in 2004 and quickly expanded gaming. In just a few years, they licensed slot machines, new casinos and table games, like Texas Hold’em and stud. The state also allows for sportsbetting.

Also, the state legislature opened up gambling to truck stops, airports, fantasy sports and of course, PA online poker. Governor Tom Wolf signed bill HB. 271 on Oct. 30, 2017. This made Pennsylvania the fourth state in the United States to legalize online poker.

Can I Play Poker on PokerStars in Pennsylvania?

Yes! Before 2011, you could play on PokerStars all over the US. Now it’s only available in two states and Pennsylvania is one of them. So whether you’ve been playing for years or are a new player in Pennsylvania, you’re in luck! PokerStars PA has gotten off to a good start in the state for online poker players, but the games and table tournaments aren’t as big as they used to be. That’s because it only has players from Pennsylvania. Sites like Ignition Poker and Americas Cardroom take players from all 50 states. This means bigger player pools, promos, bigger prize pools and freerolls! For more information, such as, poker tournaments, real money poker, and online poker bonuses, we’ve reviewed these sites and many more. So, to check out our reviews.

Ignition

$1500 Bonus

Rating: 5/5

Min Deposit $10

2500+ Players

Rating: 5/5

$1500 Bonus - Rating: 5/5
BetOnline

$2000 Bonus

Rating: 4.9/5

Min Deposit $25

1000+ Players

Rating: 4.9/5

$2000 Bonus - Rating: 4.9/5
Bovada.lv

$500 Bonus

Rating: 4.7/5

Min Deposit $10

2500+ Players

Rating: 4.7/5

$500 Bonus - Rating: 4.7/5
Intertops

$1000 Bonus

Rating: 4.6/5

Min Deposit $25

900+ Players

Rating: 4.6/5

$1000 Bonus - Rating: 4.6/5
SportsBetting.ag

$2500 Bonus

Rating: 4.5/5

Min Deposit $20

1000+ Players

Rating: 4.5/5

$2500 Bonus - Rating: 4.5/5
ACR Poker

$2000 Bonus

Rating: 4.4/5

Min Deposit $25

1500+ Players

Rating: 4.4/5

$2000 Bonus - Rating: 4.4/5
Black Chip Poker

$1000 Bonus

Rating: 4.3/5

Min Deposit $25

1500+ Players

Rating: 4.3/5

$1000 Bonus - Rating: 4.3/5

Regulating Gambling in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has a long history of gaming. They legalized betting at horse tracks a while ago and established the state lottery on August 26, 1971. With that being said, safety and close regulation is a priority.

In 2004, the state legislature passed the Race Horse Development and Gaming Act. That bill legalized electronic slot machines and allowed commercial casinos. In 2010, Governor Ed Rendell signed a law allowing non-electronic table games at casinos. In 2015, Pennsylvania’s casinos generated a record-breaking $3.17 billion in gross revenue. That number keeps rising and the state broke the $3.3 billion mark in 2019.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is the regulating gaming entity in the state. Their goal is to provide safe gaming across the state. Their mission statement reads:

To protect the interest of the public by ensuring the integrity of legalized gaming through the strict enforcement of the law and regulations, the licensing of qualified individuals and entities, and fulfilling the objectives of limited gaming in the Commonwealth to deliver a significant source of revenue, assist the horse racing industry, provide broad economic opportunities and enhance tourism.

Therefore, it’s safe to say that regulation is taken seriously when it comes to PA online poker.

State-by-State Laws

AlabamaAlaska Arizona ArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

Frequently Asked Questions

News

Joseph Sabe Banks a $507,978 Score at the Wynn Millions

Who Are The Biggest Poker Winners From Israel

Benjamin Diebold Reels In Career Best Score of $96,810