The pressure to reopen the economy of the United States continues to mount. Already, several states including the Keystone State are drafting plans to reopen with the responsibility of seeing this through delegated to special authorities. In the case of Pennsylvania, the state gaming control board has recently laid out measures and guidelines that the operators are supposed to adhere to as they prepare to reopen their doors to customers.
These measures are primarily meant to ensure the safety of both the customers and the casino employees that will be catering to them. It has been weeks since the pandemic ignited a nationwide slowdown and the reopening of such venues is very exciting for many people.
Now, even though the plans to reopen are far-reaching, poker rooms in the Keystone State are going to be an exception. These will remain closed for a while even after casinos reopen.
“Poker rooms are not authorized to operate due to players handling cards and chips. Poker room operations will be re-examined based upon changing CDC and PA DOH [Department of Health] guidance.”
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
Gamblers in the state will, therefore, have to settle for slots and dice games when they visit the land-based casinos. The directive has, of course, been met with a lot of mixed reactions but one thing is for sure, poker lovers are definitely not pleased. Still, it is quite understandable considering the nature of the pandemic.
Playing Online Is Still an Option
Now, while the fact that poker rooms will remain closed in the Keystone State, poker players in the state certainly have a great alternative – online poker rooms. Fortunately, Pennsylvania has been very accommodating of online poker operators and this has seen to the launch of poker platforms.
PokerStars is perhaps the most recognizable poker brand in the United States and if offers a ton of fun and exciting action to poker players. To date, it is the only online poker operator in Pennsylvania where it has built up quite a reputation thanks to its top-notch gaming products and services. However, this might change soon.
Other popular poker brands including PartyPoker and WSOP.com are also reportedly eyeing the Pennsylvanian market and it is likely that they already have plans in place to venture into the state. It goes without saying that this might take a while especially considering just how slow the development of poker in the state has been. Still, it is nice to know that there are options for anyone who is displeased with the fact that land-based poker rooms will remain closed for a while.