America’s national game is not baseball, but poker: This was the observation made in 1875 by a New York Times writer. While it might have stirred the pot then, we can now see how insightful this statement was. Today, poker has taken over across different states in the US. While some players masterfully call bluffs in their living rooms, others eagerly flick aces onto a casino’s card table. In fact, some companies like the Metrowest Daily news carry out weekly columns on poker.
Needless to say, Americans love poker, yet, this is hardly an unforeseen obsession. The game perfectly harmonizes skill and luck. From the analytical element to its psychological feature, poker offers something for every player. Its versatility and simplicity make it one of the most played games worldwide.
Following its creation in 1829, poker has seen contrasting levels of acceptance in the US. While some revere the game, others genuinely despise it. This has led to stiff regulations on the game, especially on its online availability. Currently, only six US states have legalized online poker operations within their shores. Hence, we focus on one of these states – Pennsylvania, and the current status of online poker sites in PA.
Online Gaming in Pennsylvania
The stiff gambling legislation in Pennsylvania has undergone radical changes over time, with all alterations focused on helping the state financially. The first form of gambling came in 1959, with the legalization of horse racing. This was followed by the establishment of the PA state lottery in 1971. Set as a government-run entity, this body controlled all gambling processes to curb illicit gambling.
In 2004, the PA Gaming Control Board was created to oversee all land-based casinos in the state. Today, there are about 14 casinos in the state of Pennsylvania. It also became the fourth state to legalize online gambling in 2017 with its omnibus gambling expansion bill.
Status of Online Poker in PA
After launching PokerStars in late 2019, Pennsylvania became only the fourth state to legalize online poker. It joined New Jersey, Delaware, and Nevada, allowing players to conveniently engage in online poker.
The bill also permitted licensed operators to set up bases in the state. As a result, several casinos have obtained licenses to run online poker rooms. While some of these casinos have not begun operations, players can expect to see them soon.
The intricate details of online poker laws in PA are mostly similar to other states. However, there are some dissimilarities. Currently, online poker in PA is intrastate, meaning players can only compete against other players from the state. The bill does, however, allow Pennsylvania to align with other states and combine player pools. As such, with state regulators’ approval, players can engage in interstate tournaments.
Best Online Poker Sites in Pennsylvania
Currently, there are two live online poker sites for players in Pennsylvania – BetMGM and PokerStars. BetMGM Poker launched in mid-2021 and is steadily gathering traffic. On the other hand, PokerStars has been fully operational for about three years.
Being the first online poker site, it has remained the favorite option among players. The Keystone state’s population of about 13 million also generated more traffic than other states.
Players familiar with PokerStars are also treated to consistent and quality tournaments. Some of the best poker tourneys where players win real money are;
- PokerStars Pennsylvania Bounty Builder Series
- Pennsylvania Championship of Online Poker
- PokerStars Pennsylvania Winter Series
All these tournaments attract impressive attendance annually. This can be attributed to how well-run these events are. They also feature guaranteed prizes. In some cases, the prize pools significantly increase due to massive turnouts.
A traffic report generated by PokerScout highlighted an average of 350-400 players at a time. Out of this number, about 300 players are competing for real money. This is, however, an average, with traffic reaching 850 players on certain occasions. This number also has to do with the fact that online poker in Pennsylvania is intrastate.
PokerStars offer different variations and formats of poker. Players can engage in no-limit, or fixed-limit cash games such as Texas hold ’em and Omaha. Other formats include weekly multi-table tournaments and SNGs.
Aside from these two sites, there are other licensed operators. Players can expect to play on sites like WSOP, PartyPoker, and Parx Casino in the near future.
What Bonuses Do Online Poker Sites in PA Offer Players
Competing for real money at an online poker site is a luxury most Americans do not have. Currently, only six states have legalized online poker within their shores. Hence, Pennsylvanians can count themselves lucky to be able to play poker online.
The good news doesn’t stop there, as online poker sites in PA offer bonuses to new and existing players. These bonuses can come in different forms and for various reasons.
- Deposit Bonuses
Most online poker sites in PA offer deposit bonuses to existing players. Players are required to fund their accounts first to qualify for this bonus. After funding, rewards could come as a percentage match on the deposit – mostly a 100 percent match.
- No-deposit Bonuses
These bonuses are reserved for new players. By creating an account, a player becomes eligible for bonuses that can be used to win real money. A no-deposit bonus can come in the form of cash prizes, tourney tickets, or other perks.
- Loyalty Bonuses
Online poker sites in PA employ this bonus to retain their customer base for a long time. It also serves as a way to show appreciation to the most consistent players. A player can qualify for loyalty rewards with extended game time. Alternatively, specific playing milestones are set to trigger loyalty bonuses.
Many other bonuses are offered to players, including reload bonuses and one-off promotions. Details of rewards can be found on the site.
Final Thoughts
The quick rise of PokerStars and online tournaments in Pennsylvania suggests a bright prospect for online poker. Players can also expect a competitive market when other licensed poker sites go live.
However, ensuring significant development would depend on changes in the laws. One such change would be triggering the multi-state alignment. This would not only tap into other customer bases but generate increased income for the state.
