Pennsylvania has officially joined the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), following in the footsteps of New Jersey, Nevada, and Michigan. Online poker operators in the state may now begin connecting their systems with those in other MSIGA member states, thanks to Governor Josh Shapiro’s signature.
According to the governor, all Pennsylvanians will reap the benefits of the deal. He called it a prudent, forward-thinking choice. Not only does the move put the state in line with regional competition, but it also boosts the local economy, generates income for public programs like schools and elder services, and encourages small company development.
The road to this accomplishment was far from easy. Under previous Governor Tom Wolf, there was talk of joining MSIGA, but nothing came of it. Only after Shapiro had been in office for almost two years did the program take off. State lawmakers even went so far as to propose a bill to mandate an investigation into the issue at one point.
Now that Pennsylvania which is one of the fastest-growing iGaming markets has officially joined the larger US online poker scene, things are changing again. More players, more stakes, and a more community-oriented gaming experience are all on the table.
BetMGM and Borgata First in Line
We are now officially in the countdown. The first two platforms to launch interstate player pools are BetMGM Poker and BorgataPoker, and Pennsylvania-based poker enthusiasts will have their turn on Monday, April 28 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
BetMGM Poker is going all out to celebrate its launch. It all starts with the C-Note Tournament, a freeroll event with no buy-in required and a cash prize pool of $35,000 guaranteed on April 29. In addition to the cash prize, the lucky winner will get $5,000 to go toward a summer trip to Las Vegas to play in the BetMGM Poker Championship at the five-star ARIA Resort & Casino.
That marks the beginning of the BetMGM May Millions, which will happen from May 8 to May 11 and is billed as the company’s largest online poker celebration to date. With 18 events and a $1 million prize fund, this series is sure to be a hit. A $1,000 Championship tournament with a $400,000 guarantee and a $2,500 Super High Roller are noteworthy events for anyone looking to be part of the action.
Beyond high-stakes action, casual players can get in on the fun through daily prize wheel spins on the BetMGM Poker app, unlocking chances to win free tournament tickets valued at up to $500. Online qualifiers for the Vegas championship are already underway every Thursday and Sunday through June 22, with over 100 full prize packages up for grabs.