Players in Pennsylvania now have another online poker option. The partypoker US Network launched in the state with the BetMGM and Borgata Poker skins on Tuesday.
PokerStars has been the only operator in the state since November 2019, but now has some competition. With the two new skins, partypoker now has operations in New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
Details on the partypoker US Network launch
Poker players in the Keystone State will welcome another online option. They can now register at either skin, which share player and prize pools.
The two brands may offer different promotions and bonuses as well as some exclusive tournaments. BetMGM is partnered with Hollywood Casino in Grantville in the state and Borgata Poker with Rivers Philadelphia.
Party is believed to have been beta testing the platform in the state on Monday. The platform will also be in testing mode for the first two days of play.
Partypoker US Network is part of Roar Digital, a partnership between Entain (owner of the international partypoker) and MGM Resorts. The company offers BetMGM, Borgata Poker, and partypoker skins in New Jersey.
The company also launched the BetMGM skin in Michigan in March, where Stars was also the only option.
That brings the company’s total states to three. All of those operate as “ringed-in” markets, meaning players only compete against others in each state.
The recent federal court ruling regarding the Wire Act eventually clears the way for interstate compacts. New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan would offer partypoker US Network an overall population of almost 32 million in the three states.
What to expect from partypoker in PA
Poker fans can expect a similar software experience to what players find on the international platform. Players can look for poker festivals like the popular Online Series and possibly even occasional World Poker Tour-branded events.
Partypoker partners with the WPT and the two have teamed up for major online events in New Jersey. The site offers plenty of cash games as well as tournaments, including Sunday majors and daily events.
Some of those include events like the Daily $10K with $10,000 guaranteed and the Sunday $40K with $40,000 guaranteed.
Players will also find the popular Spins tournaments, small jackpot-style sit and go’s. Party’s FastForward also offers a “quick-fold” game option similar to those found on other sites.
Both make use of partypoker software, which has seen major improvements over the last few years. Party has worked to improve the player experience and that includes the mobile app.
The app has seen major upgrades, including allowing players to play with one hand more easily. Players can also now more easily play at multiple tables at once. PA players should find a similar platform.
More good news for online poker players
Pennsylvania has become a nice online poker market for the industry. The state produced $2.4 million in online poker revenue in March, with PokerStars as the only operator.
That was a small decrease from February’s $2.5 million. However legalized states have seen record revenue highs over the last year and that includes PA.
Adding partypoker in PA adds even more momentum for the industry. Five states are now offering legal, regulated online poker including:
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
- Michigan
- Nevada
- Delaware
West Virginia has also legalized online poker but an operator hasn’t launched in the state. Interstate compacts getting the go-ahead would benefit small population states like WV.
As states face budget deficits because of the Coronavirus pandemic, online gaming has gained more traction. That has included states like Illinois and Connecticut moving toward legalization, including poker.
While PA players have jumped in the action at PokerStars, many will be creating accounts at Borgata or BetMGM.
Matt Lopresti, 38, lives in Lititz and is a regular online poker player. He moved to PA from New Jersey two years ago for a new job as a project manager.
At one point in New Jersey, Lopresti was ranked a top-ranked micro stakes tournament player. As a regular player, moving to Pennsylvania affected the amount of time he could be at the tables. He’s glad partypoker now allows for more opportunities.
“I like putting in a lot of volume when I play online, so making the move to Pennsylvania was hard since I didn’t have poker originally,” he says. “Even when Pokerstars landed, there were still limited tournaments in my bankroll range each day. Hearing the news today that MGM is coming to PA got me excited to get back on the grind.”
USPoker will continue to track this story and partypoker efforts in Pennsylvania
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