Pennsylvania Starts Process To Join Multi-State Online Poker Compact

Upon the urging of Gov. Josh Shapiro, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has begun negotiations to enter the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), according to PlayPennsylvania.

Getting into the agreement would allow gamblers in current MSIGA states and Pennsylvania to expand the online poker player pool for tournaments.

Key takeaways

• Pennsylvania has started negotiations to enter the MSIGA, according to PlayPennsylvania.
• If approved, PA will become the sixth state in the agreement.
• Getting into the MSIGA could boost the PA online casino market.

What is the MSIGA?

In general, online casino and poker games are available only to people physically located in the state offering the gaming. However, the MSIGA breaks down those barriers for poker. Through the agreement, poker sites can allow players in multiple states to enter the same tournament, for example. The agreement allows poker platforms to expand their player pools, increasing competition and prize pools.

Entry into the MSIGA is the last step in solidifying Pennsylvania’s position as the unquestioned leader in online gambling. The state holds the record for most iGaming (online slots, table games) revenue in a month, at more than $210 million. Pennsylvania online casinos consistently earn more than the Michigan online casino and New Jersey online casino markets monthly.

How Pennsylvania got to this point

According to PlayPennsylvania, Shapiro sent a letter to the PGCB requesting regulators start the process of joining MSIGA. In the letter, Shapiro said joining MSIGA was a critical part of keeping Pennsylvania iGaming competitive.

“In order to remain competitive in the gambling sector, I am expressing my strong support for Pennsylvania to join the MSIGA alongside Michigan, Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey and West Virginia,” Shapiro wrote. “Pennsylvania should capitalize on our status as a leader in legalized gambling, and join this compact, which would bring in additional revenue for the Commonwealth and allow players more gaming options.”

PGCB Director Doug Harbach acknowledged the group received Shapiro’s letter but did not provide a timeline for joining the MSIGA.

Overview of MSIGA and iGaming states

As mentioned, there are five MSIGA states: Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey and West Virginia. All but Nevada offers online slots and table games in addition to online poker. Of those four states, Michigan and New Jersey generate the most overall online casino revenue.

Here’s how PA and NJ stacked up against other iGaming states in August (the most recent month in which all iGaming states reported revenue):

In general, poker revenue makes up just a fraction of a state’s overall iGaming revenue. For example, online poker makes up around 2% of the revenue that PA online casinos have earned since iGaming was legalized.