The day has come! Pennsylvanians can now play legal online poker. Under the license of Mount Airy Casino Resort, PokerStars launches Pennsylvania’s first online poker room. In other words, PokerStars PA online poker is ready to launch its website on Nov 4. As a result, players can play real-money poker legally from within the state of Pennsylvania.
PokerStars PA Online Poker Launch
There are 7 land-based casinos that are licensed for online poker in Pennsylvania. Mount Airy Casino Resort is the first casino to start a legal online poker website – PokerStars PA online poker.
PokerStars, owned by The Stars Group, entered the US market by launching Online Poker in NJ. Since March 2016, PokerStars Online Poker is available in New Jersey. Now, the world’s largest poker room is now ready to launch in the second US state.
Initially, the PokerStars PA online poker launch is set with an initial testing phase which could last a couple of days. During the testing period, players have limited hours of access to the online website with only a few games available.
Douglas Harbach, a spokesperson of Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board said: “At this juncture, it would include the testing of a poker game. The caveat is always that if issues come up, then the beginning of the testing could slide”
Testing phase
During the testing phase, PGCB carries various tests to check the player experience, consistency and security of the website including geolocation services, payment processing, and responsible gaming measures.
In this phase, Cash games, Sit & Go’s, Casino games and Tournaments such as turbos, hypers, knockouts and time tournaments are available for a limited period of time.
Once the testing phase goes well, PGCB permits PokerStars PA online poker to go fully live with all poker games available similar to that of the PokerStars NJ website.
Legal Online Poker in the USA
Currently, online poker is legal in 5 states– Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
WSOP/888 US is currently the only poker site that shares online poker players between all three legal online poker states (NJ, Nevada & Delaware). Very soon, Pennsylvania Online Poker is expected to join with Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware to share online player pools.
New Jersey Online Poker
Nj is the largest of the regulated US online gambling markets. The Garden State is home to 7 poker sites across different networks:
- Caesars Interactive Entertainment: WSOP/888US
- Borgata: PartyPoker NJ, Borgata, playMGM and Pala Poker
- Resorts AC: PokerStars NJ
Nevada Online Poker
Nevada is the second-largest state with regulated online gambling. Whereas, its industry doesn’t include online casinos. Along with sports betting, online poker is the only form of legal gambling available over the internet.
WSOP NV is the only legal online poker website in Nevada that operates under Caesars Network.
Delaware Online Poker
Delaware is the smallest US state with legal online poker. All three casinos in Delaware operate their own branded skins on a shared 888Poker network.
PokerStars PA Online Poker FAQs
Is there any age requirement to play online poker?
In order to play online poker, you need to be 21 years or above. The websites ask you to verify age and identity while signing up for an account.
Should I be a resident of Pennsylvania to play on PokerStars Online poker?
No, you need not be a resident of Pennsylvania to play Online Poker. However, you need to be physically located within the state and can properly geolocate with PokerStars PA online poker website.
Is PokerStars PA Online Poker available on mobile platforms?
Currently, there is no clear news about the mobile app. However, after the testing period, we can expect PokerStars PA Online Poker mobile app on iOS and Android platforms.
Does PokerStars PA online poker allow you to play with other US states and the rest of the World?
Unfortunately, Pennsylvania hasn’t joined the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) yet. In addition, Online poker in PA is only legal on the intrastate level. Hence, PA players will only be able to play against those located within the state.
Which other online poker rooms are expected to launch in Pennsylvania?
WSOP.com, 888Poker, and PartyPoker are some of the online poker rooms which are very likely to go live by the end of 2019 or the first quarter of 2020.
