PA Online Poker Sites

PA Online Poker Sites

Pennsylvania has reintroduced online poker. Many of the most well-known and popular poker sites are now legal and permitted to operate within state borders. PokerStars, BetMGM, and Borgata are among them, with WSOP.com set to join shortly.

As a player, you can take advantage of these sites’ large marketing budgets to gain popularity in Pennsylvania. Right now, there are no-deposit bonuses, large matched welcome offers, and generous reward programs available.

This page contains all of the information you’ll need to learn about the games, prizes, and technological choices available at the legal Pennsylvania online poker sites. At the bottom of the page, you’ll find a short description of how the sites function as well as a lengthy FAQ.

 

PLAY ONLINE POKR IN PENNSYLVANIA

  1. PokerStars
  2. BetMGM
  3. Borgata Poker

 

IS ONLINE POKER LEGAL IN PA

Yes, indeed. Seven casinos applied for the poker license, with the majority of them doing so as part of a package deal.

Several Pennsylvania casinos charged $10 million for poker, online slots, and online table games licenses instead of $4 million per gaming vertical. A separate sports betting license cost $10 million for many.

It took a long time for PA online poker sites to appear after the gambling expansion act (H 271) of 2017 was passed. Sports betting and casinos is prioritized by license holders because they generate more money than poker.

 

BEST POKER SITES IN PENNSYLVANIA

To offer a decent enough selection of cash games and large guarantees for their tournaments, poker sites must hit a critical mass of players. This naturally restricts the number of competitive rooms that can be created, therefore maintaining a healthy market share is crucial.

The largest and best rooms in other governed states are strong contenders for the title of largest and best in Pennsylvania. Here are several websites to visit:

 

PokerStars – Poker players all over the world believe that PokerStars’ program is the best. Though you won’t be able to compete against the massive global player pool in PA, you will be able to enjoy the vast game selection and user-friendly platform. New players receive $50 in free play after playing only one hand. After that, the ‘Stars Rewards’ loyalty program will keep the bankroll topped up.

BetMGM Poker – Owned and run by MGM Resorts International, which is unsurprising. Penn National, which owns the Hollywood Casino and the Meadows, has partnered with it to get it approved in Pennsylvania. Onsite, you’ll find a plethora of cash games and tournaments. When new players register, they will get a $25 no deposit bonus and a 100% deposit bonus up to $600.

Borgata Poker PA – Borgata Poker PA first opened its doors in April 2021. Borgata’s second state is Pennsylvania. Regular guarantees, bounty tournaments, and cash games are all available in the poker room. New users can get a $25 bonus just for signing up, as well as a 100% bonus up to $600.

Party Poker – PA players will soon be able to try out Party Poker’s apps and famously soft poker games for free. Party offers players in New Jersey $25 just for signing up – a deal we expect to see in Pennsylvania as well. Tournaments, cash games, and the modern Fast Forward poker format are all available.

WSOP.com/888 – Owned by Caesars Entertainment and will work with Harrah’s Philadelphia to bring their exclusive network to Pennsylvania. This website offers more than just WSOP tournament qualifiers. Cash games, ‘Blast’ poker, and a full tournament schedule are all available. To get their bankrolls off to a flying start, new players receive a matched welcome bonus of up to $1,000.

 

WHAT DO THESE PA POKER APPS OFFER?

POKERSTARS PENNSYLVANIA

The PokerStars desktop client and applications are widely regarded as the best software available. This includes things like table resizing and the ability to upload your own images, as well as the pace and smoothness of the games.

Mount Airy Casino and PokerStars have teamed up. They were the first online poker site to open in Pennsylvania, and their success has far exceeded expectations. For the time being, their player pools are not shared with their New Jersey platform, as would be the case with all PA online poker rooms until further notice.

For new players, there are two bonuses:

  • Play one hand and receive $50 in free play.
  • PokerStars, on the other hand, will match the first deposit up to $600. Use the bonus code STARS600 to get this deal.

 

A unique loyalty program will be available to regular players. When you play, Stars Rewards you with chests containing prizes that are tailored to you and increase in value depending on the stakes you play.

Cash play, tournaments, and sit and go’s are all available at PokerStars. Zoom Poker, a fast-fold cash game, and Spins, a lottery sit-and-go style, are both available on this platform. Big prize tournaments are the highlight of a busy tournament schedule at regular ‘PACOOP’ (Pennsylvania Championship of Online Poker) competitions. They also host a number of other exciting tournament series with large prize pools.

 

PARTY POKER PENNSYLVANIA

Party Poker is PokerStars’ main competitor. Entain, a gambling conglomerate, owns this platform and has a national partnership with MGM. GVC will receive licenses from Valley Forge Casino.

If the site is up and running, PA poker players can earn a $25 bonus just for signing up. There are two aspects to this bonus:

  • $10 is a cash bonus that you can use to play any game.
  • Tournament tokens are worth $15.

If you like what you see, you will get a 100 percent match welcome bonus up to $1,000 on your first deposit. Leaderboards, refill bonuses, and a loyalty points program are among the promotions available.

You can also play ‘Fast Forward’ poker at Party Poker, in addition to the extensive list of cash games, tournaments, and sit & gos. Players are switched to a new hand as soon as the current hand is folded in this fast-fold style.

Since they were last available in the United States, the partypoker app has been fully redesigned. Both Windows and Mac users can find mobile applications and desktop downloads. At first, games can only be played against other PA teams. It is hoped that the mutual player pools would eventually grow to include Pennsylvania, enabling games against other partypoker players from around the country.

 

WSOP POKER PENNSYLVANIA

The ‘World Series of Poker’ is abbreviated as WSOP. Caesars Entertainment, which also owns the popular Harrah’s Casino in Pennsylvania, owns this brand. Both Nevada and New Jersey – and, eventually, Pennsylvania – have active WSOP.com poker sites.

888 Poker provides the software for this site, which includes both an interface and a downloadable desktop version.

New players at the WSOP Pennsylvania will take advantage of some generous bonuses:

  • A $10 no deposit bonus is available to try out the games with no risk. To get this, use the bonus code 10FREE.
  • Your first deposit will be matched up to $1,000 in bonus money.

Collecting points in real money games will help you clear your bonus. The World Series of Poker has satellite qualifiers as well as online poker promotions. Along with the regular mix of NL Hold’em and PLO cash games and tournaments, look for new poker formats such as ‘Blast’ lottery Sit and Goes.

 

BETMGM POKER

MGM Resorts International is represented by BetMGM Poker, an online poker platform. Other gaming companies that MGM has partnered with include Entain (formerly GVC Holdings) and Penn National.

In April 2021, it arrived in Pennsylvania. New players will receive up to $625 in bonus money from the site.

  • Upon registration, you will receive a $25 no deposit bonus. This money must be played only once, but it functions exactly like real money and needs no action on your part.
  • A deposit bonus of up to $600 that matches your deposit dollar for dollar. Simply make your first deposit of $10 or more, and BetMGM will match your first deposit dollar for dollar. You will effectively double the value of your deposit, with the deal valid up to $600.

If you play through your bonus dollars a certain number of times, they can be converted to cash. To be able to withdraw the $25 no deposit bonus, it must be turned over a single time. The deposit bonus is a little more difficult to turn to cash because you have to win 20 times the sum of iRewards Points. The incentive, on the other hand, will be given to you in 10% increments, so you can get a little bit at a time.

Bear in mind, though, that you have a time limit. Any unredeemed bonus will revert to BetMGM at the end of the 7-day period, so be prepared to play a lot when you make your first deposit.

 

HOW LEGAL ONLINE POKER SITES IN PENNSYLVANIA WORK

When it comes to online casinos and sportsbooks, you’ll typically go to the website to gamble. Different poker sites exist. To access the games, most players choose to download a desktop device client. This gives you access to all game modes as well as the opportunity to multi-table comfortably (play more than one table at a time). It also means that the games run smoothly. It’s important to keep the client from collapsing just when you’re dealing pocket aces.

Both an Android and an iOS app were available when PokerStars PA first launched.

There are four main poker formats available in the PA poker rooms. The size of the player pool at each site will determine which games are available (and which are currently running).

 

The following are the most popular formats:

Cash games: The chips have a monetary value and can be topped up to the full table limit at any time. Buy-ins for online poker cash games range from $2 (micro-stakes) to $1,000+. The stakes range from $.02/$.04 to $1,000/$2,000 at these tables. The number of players at a table is usually two, six, or nine.

Poker Tournaments: Each player receives a stack of chips in exchange for their buy-in in this knockout format. The bet sizes gradually increase, and the game continues until one player has won all of the chips. Expect about 10% of the field to receive prizes. Pace, poker game style, and the opportunity to rebuy or re-enter if you bust are all factors to consider.

Sit & Go tournaments: These are usually single table games that begin once a table is complete. PokerStars’ Spin & Go is a new variation. These are three-handed games with a prize pool that can be worth up to 10,000 times the buy-in.

Fast-fold poker: This invention eliminates the time spent waiting for other players to finish their hands by automatically switching you to a new hand as soon as you fold. Instead of sitting at individual tables, players sit in pools. Fast fold poker is a form of poker that is played in both cash games and tournaments, but it is not yet available in Pennsylvania.

There are several poker variants to choose from at international locations. Only No-Limit Hold’em and some Omaha variants such as PLO and PLO8 will be available due to the smaller player pools in Pennsylvania. Stud, Draw, and mixed games can become available if Pennsylvania enters a larger community of state sites.

 

REAL MONEY POKER VS FREE ONLINE POKER

If you’ve only only played poker on free apps, you’ll need to brush up on your tactics before diving into the real money games. When real money is on the line, there is a big difference in skill level.

There are play-money only tables available in Pennsylvania’s online poker rooms. These will assist you in learning about the various forms of poker games as well as how the betting rounds work. The Home Games feature at PokerStars allows you to build private tables for your friends and colleagues. You can play them with friends even if you’re not in PA, as long as it’s for fun money.

Some sites allow you to play real money poker without making a deposit. Just for signing up, Party Poker can give $10 in cash and $15 in tournament entry tokens. Other sites, such as PokerStars, reward you with $50 in tokens when you play one hand.

Starting at lower buy-in levels than you would in a live environment is a good way to get a good start at the real money poker tables. This will allow you to evaluate your opponents’ skill levels and ensure that you can beat the games before moving up to higher buy-ins.

 

PENNSYLVANIA ONLINE POKER: BONUSES AND PROMOTIONS

The online poker sites with the most players from Pennsylvania would have a significant advantage over their rivals. As the first to market, PokerStars outperformed expectations straight away, raking in nearly $2 million in rake and tournament fees in its first month of operation in November.

Larger tournaments, better deals, and a broader variety of cash games become available as the number of players increases. More players will be attracted as a result of this. PokerStars PA currently provides two welcome bonuses: play one hand and get $50 in free play, or a 100% bonus match up to $600 using the marketing code STARS600, but not both.

There will be fierce competition for new players as more online poker rooms open in Pennsylvania. Because of the sites’ large marketing budgets and generous incentive packages, you can take advantage of this by getting your bankroll off to a great start.

Here’s what to expect based on poker rooms in other controlled states:

  • No-deposit bonuses: Some poker sites will offer you free chips without requiring you to make a deposit. This may be in the form of buy-ins to various tournaments or cash games. Before you can withdraw this money, you must play it through a certain number of times.
  • Welcome incentives that are matched: Expect a 100 percent (or better) match on your first deposit. Some websites will give you up to $1,000 in bonus money if you sign up this way. As you play, this is normally released in small increments.
  • Freeroll tournaments: New players will have access to freeroll tournaments with real money prize pools for beginners or depositors. Additional entries may be available as a result of loyalty programs or potential deposits.
  • Reload bonuses: If your bankroll runs out, you’ll normally be given an additional incentive if you reload. Be aware that these bonuses are normally less than the initial deposit incentive.
  • Loyalty plans: Various poker sites have different loyalty programs. Expect treasure chests filled with rewards tailored to your own gambling tastes if you play PokerStars PA.

You may also be given crossover promotions for the various gambling verticals, depending on the company.

In Pennsylvania, sports betting and casino games are well-established, with many poker license holders active in all three industries. Players can also sign up for FOX Bet online sports betting as well as the PokerStars PA online poker and online casino verticals, for example.

 

DEPOSITING AND WITHDRAWING AT PA ONLINE POKER ROOMS

Since poker is a skill game, more players will withdraw money than in other types of gambling. You’ll have a variety of options for getting your money on board and getting your income off.

Although not all online poker rooms support all of the methods mentioned, the ones listed below are the most popular.

Credit/debit cards: You can make instant payments using your standard bank cards. All of the sites accept Visa and MasterCard. Deposits with Discover cards are also accepted on certain platforms.

Prepaid Play+ cards: are available at several gambling sites. These provide additional protection and can be used to cash out your winnings. After that, players will withdraw money from ATMs.

Casino cage: At each of the poker room brands’ casinos, you’ll be able to deposit and withdraw money.

PayNearMe: This is yet another way to deposit cash, this time via 7-Eleven or CVS. Because of the fixed costs, this is more costly for smaller deposits.

PayPal: A well-known online payment system. It acts as a safe link between your bank and online retailers. Both deposits and withdrawals are made through PayPal. However, don’t be surprised if most online poker sites don’t offer this option. Because of the fees associated with PayPal, as well as the high tax rates for PA online operators, this will be an uncommon, not normal, choice.

Neteller / Skrill: These wallet services, which are owned by the same organization, operate similarly to PayPal. For many years, they have been famous among poker players all over the world. Because of the high fees, these might not be available on every platform, much like PayPal.

eChecks: This poker deposit form, also known as ACH transfers, comes directly from your bank. You can become pre-verified, allowing you to make instant eCheck deposits and withdrawals.

Bill Pay: If you use a big bank, you might even be using Bill Pay to pay your utility bills. In the same way, you can deposit money into your poker account. Withdrawals are not possible with this banking choice.

Bank wire: This is a slower method of transferring funds from your bank, but it can still be used if you need to send large sums of money safely.

Money Orders and Paper Checks: Many sites accept these as a slower banking process. If no other ‘online’ options are available, you can withdraw your earnings using a paper check.

 

ONLINE POKER PARTNERSHIPS IN PA

For the time being, PA poker games are limited. This means that poker players from other controlled states, such as New Jersey and Nevada, will not be seated at the same table.

Only PokerStars and Mount Airy Casino have launched their online poker products, despite the fact that three major international brands have already partnered with Pennsylvania casinos. More details on the plans for online poker are expected to be released shortly.

The following is a complete list of Pennsylvania casinos that have been granted licenses to operate online poker rooms:

 

LIVE POKER IN PENNSYLVANIA

In Pennsylvania, there are ten live poker rooms. They are as follows:

  • Harrah’s Philadelphia: The World Series of Poker is the name of this poker room. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and has 28 tables with cash games and tournaments. Common poker variants include No-Limit Hold’em, Seven-Card Stud, and Omaha.
  • Mohegan Sun Pocono: This poker room, located near Wilkes-Barre, has 18 tables. Bounty events are included in regular tournaments. For cash games, the room even has poor beat and royal flush jackpots.
  • The Parx Casino: Has one of the larger poker rooms, with 48 tables and a separate three-table high-limit lounge. Bensalem, northeast of Philadelphia, is home to Parx. They host large buy-in tournaments as well as their own monthly tournament and cash game schedule.
  • Rivers Casino: Has a 30-table poker room that occupies over 8,000 square feet and is located in Pittsburgh. Cash games are kept lively by hourly high-hand prizes, while larger buy-in tournament competitions run alongside their busy weekly schedule.
  • The Meadows Casino: 14 poker tables are located on the main casino floor, rather than in a separate space. While you’re playing, you’ll be able to watch the live racing. Strabane Township, 25 miles southwest of Pittsburgh, is home to this room.
  • The Hollywood Casino: Located at the Penn National Racecourse in Grantville, Pennsylvania, and offers live poker. They have 17 tables and have a high hand offer for cash games. Standard and turbo blind tournaments are available.
  • Mount Airy Casino: The Mount Airy Casino’s poker parlor in northwest Pennsylvania is a smaller live poker location. There are only nine tables here, so Texas Hold’em is the only game you’ll find.
  • Presque Isle Casino: Pennsylvania’s tiniest poker room with just seven seats. While most rooms are open 24 hours a day, this one opens at 10 a.m. / 12 p.m. and closes when there is no significant play. In addition to cash games, single and multi-table tournaments are marketed.
  • Sugarhouse Casino: In Philadelphia, has a poker room with 28 tables that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There are jackpots for high hands and poor beats. Their cash games have buy-ins ranging from $60 to $3,000.
  • Wind Creek Casino: A 28-table live poker room near Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Sands Casino was the previous name for this establishment. This poker room is marketed as state of the art, with free beverage service, table side dining, and a large number of TVs displaying sporting events.

 

PENNSYLVANIA ONLINE POKER FAQ

IS PENNSYLVANIA ONLINE POKER LEGAL?

Yes, as part of the gambling expansion act of 2017, online poker became legal. Existing B&M casinos issue licenses to the sites. The Pennsylvania Gambling Control Board has authority over them.

WHO CAN PLAY ONLINE POKER IN PA?

To play online poker in Pennsylvania, you must be 21 years old and reside within the state. It’s worth noting that you don’t have to be a permanent resident of Pennsylvania to apply.

WHEN WILL POKERSTARS LAUNCH IN PENNSYLVANIA?

PokerStars PA is now completely operational in the state of Pennsylvania.

CAN I PLAY AGAINST PLAYERS FROM OTHER REGULATED STATES OR FOREIGN COUNTRIES?

The simple answer is, No. The player pools at PA poker rooms are not open to the public. You’ll only be able to compete against people who live inside state borders. The state has the option of potentially forming a compact with other states, but it is unlikely to do so before the pending DOJ and NH Lottery Wire Act court case is resolved.

CAN I ACCESS THE GAMES FROM OUTSIDE OF PA?

No, geolocation technology will only let you play if you are within state borders. You will not be able to play if there is any uncertainty or if position masking technology (such as a VPN) is detected. You risk getting your funds seized and your account banned if you are caught.

WHAT FORMS OF ONLINE POKER WILL BE AVAILABLE?

There are cash games, tournaments, and Sit & Go’s to choose from. Fast-fold poker, for example, should be added at some stage.

The most common game formats will be Texas Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha.

 

ARE PA ONLINE POKER GAMES FAIR?

Yes, indeed. Both sites will be required to show that their random number generator (RNG) program, which controls the shuffle of cards, is reliable. There has never been any mathematical proof that the deal at major sites is rigged, despite numerous reports to the contrary. They are supervised by the PGCB and are subject to stringent testing and regulations to ensure that the product is fair.