Pennsylvania Legal Online Poker Overview
Essential MI Online Poker Info
Status
📅 Online Poker Legalised:
October 30, 2017
🏛 Legal Online Poker Sites in PA:
BetMGM, Borgata, PokerStars, WSOP
💲 Available Online Poker Bonuses:
Deposit bonus, matched bonus, no deposit bonus, tournament tickets, welcome bonus
🃏 Permitted Online Poker Variations:
Omaha, open-faced Chinese poker, stud poker, Texas hold ’em, three-card poker
🔞 Legal Gambling Age in PA:
21+
💰 Accepted Payment Methods:
Mastercard, PayNearMe, PaySafeCard, PayPal, Play+, Skrill, Visa, Automated Clearing House (ACH), online bank transfer
⚖️ Pennsylvania Online Poker Regulator:
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB)
Pennsylvania Online Poker Laws Summary
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed the online gaming bill, HB 271, into law on October 30, 2017. This made Pennsylvania the fourth US state to legalize online and regulated gambling, following New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware. The comprehensive 900-page HB 271 bill legalized various forms of online gambling, including poker, slots, and table games. The initial cost for a license to operate an online gambling site in Pennsylvania was set at $10 million. The bill also permitted online lottery, daily fantasy sports, sports betting, and igaming terminals at rest stops. The gross gaming tax rate for online poker and table games was set at 14%, with 2% allocated for local share assessment.
In 2018, New Jersey’s legal battle with the US Supreme Court to legalize sports betting paved the way for other states like Pennsylvania to follow suit. The victory over the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) opened doors for multiple states to engage in legal sports betting. Prior to this, sports betting was limited to Nevada. Although no Pennsylvania poker sites are merged with other states yet, WSOP.com has an interstate merger agreement with New Jersey and Nevada, and there are plans for Pennsylvania to join the compact. The Department of Justice Hearings in January 2021 ruled in favor of allowing sites to operate across state lines, leading to potential shared liquidity poker player pools in the future.
Legal Online Poker Operators in Pennsylvania
As of now, there are four licensed online poker operators in Pennsylvania: PokerStars, BetMGM, Borgata, and World Series of Poker (WSOP). PokerStars launched in Pennsylvania on November 6, 2019, in partnership with Mount Airy Casino. It is the only official PokerStars live poker room in the United States. BetMGM and Borgata joined the market on April 27, 2021, under the licenses of Hollywood Casino Grantville and River’s Philadelphia, respectively. WSOP entered the market on July 12, 2021. These operators offer a wide range of traditional poker games, tournaments, promotions, and various payment methods.
Signing Up for an Online Poker Operator
Signing up for an online poker operator in Pennsylvania is a simple process. Follow these steps:
1. Choose a recommended Pennsylvania poker operator and visit their website or download their app.
2. Click on the “sign-up” or “register” button, which will prompt you to enter personal information such as your full name, date of birth, address, phone number, and email. You may also need to provide part of your Social Security number.
3. Create a unique username and password. Confirm your email and identity if required.
4. Make a deposit on the site by visiting the cashier section, choosing a payment method, and following the instructions to fund your account. Don’t forget to enter any relevant bonus codes to maximize your rewards.
5. Remember that you must be physically located within Pennsylvania to legally play online poker. Online poker sites use geolocation services to verify your location, so ensure that location services are enabled on your device.
Playthrough Requirements
Playthrough requirements, also known as wagering or rollover requirements, determine how many times you must wager the bonus amount before you can withdraw the bonus funds. It is important to check the specific playthrough requirements and terms and conditions before depositing any cash. Here are the playthrough requirements for some popular Pennsylvania online poker operators:
BetMGM Playthrough Requirements
BetMGM requires players to earn iRewards to clear the bonuses. Funds are cleared incrementally (10% at a time) and must be played through 14 times before being released. For instance, if you deposit $100, you would need to earn 140 iReward points to receive $10. In cash games, players earn 5.5 iRewards points for every dollar raked, and for tournaments, it’s 5.5 iRewards points per dollar spent on buy-ins. Players have 120 days to use these bonuses. BetMGM also offers a rewarding M Life Rewards Program that can be used nationwide for various casino rewards.
PokerStars Playthrough Requirements
PokerStars offers a deposit bonus of up to $600 for Pennsylvania players. The bonus is cleared by earning Redemption Points (RPs), with $10 released for every 180 RPs earned. Players earn RPs by participating in cash games and tournaments (5 RPs for every dollar spent on buy-ins or raked cash games). RPs must be cleared within 120 days from the deposit date.
WSOP Playthrough Requirements
WSOP.com allows players to earn Action Player Points (APPs) by playing cash games or real money tournaments. The first bonus of $10 clears at a rate of $1 per 10 APPs. After that, an additional $50 can be unlocked at a rate of $5 for every 50 APPs accumulated. The final release rate occurs at $10 for every 100 APPs. Similar to other operators, APPs are cleared on cash games and tournaments. The bonus must be cleared within 60 days.
Pennsylvania Poker Tournaments
Pennsylvania online poker sites offer a variety of tournaments for players to enjoy. The most popular poker variations include no-limit hold ’em and Omaha-style tournaments. Here are some tournament formats and features commonly found on Pennsylvania poker sites:
Knockout Tournaments (KO)
Knockout tournaments, also known as bounty tournaments, award players a cash prize for each opponent they eliminate from the tournament.
Progressive Knockout Tournaments (PKO)
In progressive knockout tournaments, a portion of each player’s bounty is added to the bounty of the player that eliminates them. This creates escalating bounties throughout the tournament, resulting in larger prize pools.
Live Tournament Satellites
Online players can participate in weekly satellites, which are smaller buy-in qualifying tournaments, to win seats in major live events such as the WSOP Main Event or Players Championship.
Turbos and Super Turbos
Turbos and super turbos are fast-paced tournaments with accelerated blind levels, allowing players to finish the tournament in a shorter time frame.
Guaranteed Prize Pools
Online poker rooms often offer tournaments with guaranteed prize pools ranging from a few hundred dollars to over $250,000. Regardless of the number of entrants, the sites guarantee that the prize pool will be available to win.
Special Formats
Pennsylvania poker sites occasionally feature special tournaments that include mixed games, pot limit Omaha, seven-card stud, and other unique poker variations.
Jackpot Sit & Gos
Jackpot sit & gos are small tournaments that combine elements of slots and poker. Players buy in for a set amount, and the tournament concludes with a special jackpot prize awarded to the winner.
Types of Poker Games Available in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania online poker sites offer various poker game variations. While no limit hold ’em is the most popular, players can also enjoy other exciting options. Here are some types of poker games commonly found in Pennsylvania:
Texas Hold ’em
Texas hold ’em is the most popular poker game in the US. It can be played in no limit, limit, or pot-limit fashion. Players receive two hole cards and use them in combination with the five community cards to make the best possible hand.
Omaha
Omaha is the second most popular poker variant, and it is available in no limit, limit, or pot limit. Players receive four hole cards and must use two of them in combination with three community cards to form their hand. Pot limit Omaha (PLO) is particularly popular.
Open-Faced Chinese Poker
Open-Faced Chinese Poker (OFCP) is a newer poker trend where players start with five cards and gradually receive additional cards until they have 13 in their hand. The goal is to arrange the strongest hands across three rows – front, middle, and back.
Three-Card Poker
Three-card poker is a table game where players compete against the house rather than each other. The objective is to have a better three-card hand than the dealer.
Stud Poker
Stud poker, particularly seven-card stud, is a classic form of poker. In this game, players receive seven cards, and four of them are revealed to the table. The goal is to create the best five-card hand using the revealed and hole cards.
Depositing and Withdrawing Funds
Pennsylvania online poker players have multiple options when it comes to depositing funds into their accounts. Some common deposit methods include:
– Credit or debit cards (Visa/Mastercard)
– Direct bank deposits
– Direct cash deposits at physical casinos
– eCheck bank payments (ACH transfers)
– eWallets such as Neteller and PayPal
– PayNearMe cash deposits at 7-Eleven and Family Dollar stores
– Prepaid/gift cards like Play+ and Paysafecard
To withdraw funds, players need a verified account, and they may be required to provide identification. Withdrawals can take up to 5-7 business days to be processed.
Live Poker Rooms in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania currently has nine legal live poker rooms. These brick-and-mortar poker rooms are regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) and offer various poker games and tournaments.
List of active poker rooms in Pennsylvania:
– Hollywood Casino Meadows (14 tables)
– Live! Casino Philadelphia (29 tables)
– Live! Casino Pittsburgh (7 tables)
– Mohegan Sun Pocono (9 tables)
– Mount Airy Casino (12 tables)
– Parx Casino (48 tables)
– Rivers Casino Philadelphia (28 tables)
– Rivers Casino Pittsburgh (30 tables)
– Wind Creek Bethlehem (14 tables)
Future of Online Poker in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has become the leading state for online poker in terms of revenue since its launch. With consistent year-on-year growth, live poker rooms, and established online operators, Pennsylvania’s prominent position in the gaming industry is expected to continue. The potential merger of player pools with other states, particularly through WSOP.com, will significantly boost poker popularity and prize pools. Additionally, Rush Street Interactive plans to launch its online poker room, which further establishes Pennsylvania as a major gaming state.
Pennsylvania Responsible Gambling Resources
Pennsylvania provides several resources for responsible gambling:
– The Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania offers a free helpline, resources on problem gambling, and educational events.
– The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board offers an online chat, helpline, and links to support organizations.
– Gamblers Anonymous PA organizes regular meetings in Pennsylvania for individuals seeking support.
Pennsylvania sports betting laws require sportsbooks to offer responsible gambling resources, including self-exclusion options, spending limits, and time management tools. Sportsbooks must also provide links to problem gambling support organizations.
FAQs
Is online poker legal in Pennsylvania?
Yes, online poker is legal in Pennsylvania. The state legalized online gambling in 2017.
What is the legal gambling age in Pennsylvania?
The legal gambling age in Pennsylvania is 21 years old.
Do I need to be in Pennsylvania to play online poker?
Yes, you must be physically located within Pennsylvania’s borders to play online poker in the state.
Are online poker sites in Pennsylvania safe?
Yes, online poker sites in Pennsylvania are safe and regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
Can I play poker online against people in other states and countries?
While in Pennsylvania, you can only play against other players located within the state.
Can I play poker online outside of Pennsylvania?
Outside of Pennsylvania, you can play online poker in other legal regulated states such as Michigan, New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware.
Can I compete in the WSOP in Pennsylvania?
Yes, you can compete for online poker bracelets in Pennsylvania through WSOP.com’s online events.
Do I have to pay taxes on online poker winnings in Pennsylvania?
Yes, players are responsible for declaring their online poker winnings in Pennsylvania on their tax forms.
Which online poker sites are available in Pennsylvania?
Popular online poker sites in Pennsylvania include WSOP.com, PokerStars, Borgata, and BetMGM.
Who regulates poker in Pennsylvania?
Online poker in Pennsylvania is regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB).
What are the future online poker sites planned for Pennsylvania?
Rush Street Interactive is expected to launch an online poker room in Pennsylvania, potentially under the BetRivers platform.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of legal online poker in Pennsylvania, including information on the state’s online poker laws, licensed operators, tournaments, deposit and withdrawal methods, live poker rooms, and the future of online poker in the state. Pennsylvania offers a safe and regulated online poker environment, and players can enjoy a variety of poker games and exciting tournament formats. Responsible gambling resources are also available to support players.
