The US online poker market received some welcome news on Monday with WSOP.com announcing a launch into Pennsylvania on July 12.
The move comes after months of anticipation and now means three operators in the state. Players will find a third option in the form of the online arm of the World Series of Poker.
What can players expect from WSOP.com in Pennsylvania?
The announcement comes at a busy time for WSOP.com. The site is currently running the WSOP Online for players in New Jersey and Nevada.
Players in those states as well as 888poker in Delaware can also compete in the Summer Online Circuit Series alongside the Online Championships in July.
The WSOP.com platform makes use of 888poker’s online poker software client and mobile app. The international 888 site has made major improvements to its software in recent months with the “Made to Play” software.
WSOP hinted that players can expect a similar experience now to carry over to the US.
HUGE NEWS: https://t.co/k6cF9BfdmO is coming soon to PA 😍 🚨 The #1 poker site in the nation will be launching on July 12. Expect the best sign up offer, the largest guarantees, and new a new and improved https://t.co/k6cF9BfdmO poker client. pic.twitter.com/tlky8SsyZB
— WSOP (@WSOP) July 5, 2021
An additional option
Online poker has seen some major momentum in the US in recent months. The COVID-19 pandemic brought increased numbers of online players.
While that has ebbed in recent months, traffic and revenue remain at record highs. Online poker is now legal in these states:
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Michigan
- Delaware
- West Virginia (no operator has launched)
- Connecticut (recently legalized, still in regulation stage)
PokerStars launched in the Keystone State in November 2019 and remained the only operator until this year. Partypoker US Network launched via the BetMGM and Borgata Poker skins in April.
To launch in PA, WSOP partners with Harrah’s Philadelphia, which is operated by Caesars Entertainment. Caesars ie the company behind the WSOP including the online version.
Bracelets and championship rings coming to PA?
WSOP.com now fills out a more competitive market in Pennsylvania. Players hoping to join the company’s All American Poker Network may have to wait a bit however.
Initially, players should expect a “ringed-in” poker market as seen in other states. However, the Department of Justice recently let the deadline expire on appealing a January federal appeals court ruling regarding the Wire Act.
The court had ruled that the act applied only to sports betting. This now opens the door for more interstate compacts among states.
With a population of 12.8 million, Pennsylvania would be a nice addition to the All American Poker Network. Adding that to New Jersey (8.9 million), Nevada (3.1 million), and Delaware (1 million) would bring the network’s reach to about 25.8 million.
In the meantime, what can PA players expect? There may not be time to put together a WSOP online bracelet series. However, a WSOP Online Circuit Series, if not a few, is almost guaranteed.
WSOP officials even hinted at such an event in January. The company announced that the entire WSOP Circuit schedule would be played out online in 2021.
While not part of that initial plan, the WSOP also included a possibility for an addition at a later date.
“An additional 13th online circuit event is earmarked pending launch of the WSOP.com service in a newly regulated market,” a news release announcing the circuit launch noted.
That could offer players in the state a shot at some hardware sometime soon. This is a breaking story and USPoker will continue to update the situation.
* Photo courtesy WSOP
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