by Mario Alfonsi | Published on Mar 15, 2023 | Updated on Mar 15, 2023
Summary
- iPoker operators interested to operate in Pennsylvania had to submit license applications before March 03
- PGCG confirms that it did not receive any new iPoker applications
- Pennsylvania is the online licensed poker state to not join MSIGA
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) was looking to boost its online poker market further as it encouraged new US iPoker operators to apply for a license.
The gaming regulator asked interested iPoker operators to send in their application before March 03, 2023.
No iPoker Operators Interested In PA For Now
Pennsylvania legalized online poker back in 2017 but it took a few years before the Keystone state could get its online poker market up and running. So far, online poker players in Pennsylvania have just a handful of options.
The PGCB confirmed that it had not received any new online poker applications before the 03 March deadline. There is no indication as of now if the gaming regulator will reopen the license application process for poker operators at a later stage.
The current list of licensed poker operators in Pennsylvania are online poker giant PokerStars, BetMGM and Borgata who run their operations on a platform from PartyGaming and WSOP.com.
The online poker market in PA in 2021 generated around $30 million and things got better in 2022 as revenues hit $35 million.
PokerStars which is the biggest online poker room in the world has continued to dominate the PA market with the lion’s share of nearly $22.5 million with WSOP.com behind with $8.3 million in revenue.
BetMGM is in third place bringing in just over $3.2 million in revenue while the Borgata is still trying to find its footing bringing in just $1 million in revenue.
More Interest Possible If PA Accepts MSIGA
It’s purely speculation as to why there is currently no interest from any other poker operators as the online poker market in Pennsylvania is in no way saturated. One of the main reasons for the lack of interest could be because Pennsylvania is the only state out of the licensed states that offer poker to have not signed the Multi-State Internet Gambling Agreement (MSIGA).
Michigan, Delaware and New Jersey are some of the states that have joined MSIGA and offered combined poker pools which make it more attractive to poker players. Pennsylvania has not given any clear indication as to if and when it plans to join MSIGA. If it does sign the MSIGA agreement, we could see a better response for online poker licenses in PA.
