Pennsylvania Online Poker
Pennsylvania online poker is legal for players 21 or older and physically located within state lines. Players can choose from four licensed poker sites in PA today, including all the nation’s most prominent brand names.
Lawmakers authorized online gambling in 2017, and the first Pennsylvania poker sites opened two years later. PokerStars launched in 2019, followed by BetMGM Poker, Borgata Poker, and WSOP PA.
Pennsylvania is also en route to joining the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), meaning it will soon offer shared poker tables with other states.
Legal Pennsylvania Poker Sites
100% up to $1000WSOP Promo Code: BUSA
Terms & conditions apply. Must be 21 or over and present in NV, NJ, PA, or MI to play. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER (426-2537).
$1000 Deposit BonusBetMGM Poker Bonus Code: BUSABONUS
Visit BetMGM.com for terms and conditions. Must 21+ in MI, NJ, PA, 19+ in Ontario. MI, NJ, PA, and Ontario only. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable site credit and/or tournament entries. Rewards subject to expiry. Please play responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI), call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, PA). If you have questions or concerns about your gambling or someone close to you, please contact ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600 to speak to an advisor, free of charge.
$1000 Deposit BonusBorgata Poker Bonus Code: BUSABONUS
Visit borgataonline.com for terms and conditions. Must 21+ and present in NJ or PA. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable site credit and/or tournament entries. Rewards subject to expiry. Please play responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
21+ and present in PA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Pennsylvania Online Poker Apps
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has issued licenses to four poker sites to date. The following PA online poker sites are legal, licensed, and safe, but each is unique.
Read on for all the details on Pennsylvania’s best poker sites:
- BetMGM Poker
- WSOP Poker
- Borgata Poker
- PokerStars
- BetRivers Poker
- GGPoker (Licensed but not yet live)
Pennsylvania Poker Bonuses
$1000 Deposit BonusBetMGM Poker Bonus Code: BUSABONUS
Visit BetMGM.com for terms and conditions. Must 21+ in MI, NJ, PA, 19+ in Ontario. MI, NJ, PA, and Ontario only. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable site credit and/or tournament entries. Rewards subject to expiry. Please play responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI), call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, PA). If you have questions or concerns about your gambling or someone close to you, please contact ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600 to speak to an advisor, free of charge.
The best Pennsylvania poker bonuses are easy to understand and provide significant value to new players. Fortunately, all legal PA poker bonuses offer considerable upside and little downside.
| Poker Site | Promo Code | Welcome Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| BetMGM Poker Pennsylvania Bonus Code | BUSABONUS | $25 On Registration + 100% up to $600 |
| WSOP Poker Pennsylvania Promo Code | Not Needed | 100% up to $1,000 + $50 Instant Bonus + Freeroll Entries |
| Borgata Poker Pennsylvania Bonus Code | Not Needed | $25 On Registration + 100% up to $600 |
| BetRivers Poker Pennsylvania Bonus Code | POKER | 100% up to $1,000 |
| PokerStars Pennsylvania Bonus Code | STARS600 | 100% up to $600 or $30 On Any $20+ Deposit |
In most cases, players can sign up, receive a bonus, and play poker as normal to clear it for withdrawal. Unlike casino and sports betting promos, online poker bonuses tend to be easy to clear.
That said, every PA online poker bonus comes with terms and conditions that players should read before signing up. BettingUSA’s online poker reviews discuss every welcome offer’s pros, cons, and significant terms.
Pennsylvania poker bonuses welcome new customers with cash, free tournament entries, and other perks. Most PA poker sites require customers to make a real money deposit before issuing bonuses, but players can also claim some offers just for signing up and verifying their identities.
If a poker bonus requires a promo code, players will see a promo code field when signing up or on the deposit page. Some PA poker sites do not require a promo code but still ask players if they have a promo code when signing up. In that case, players can leave the promo code field blank and automatically receive the bonus.
Pennsylvania Interstate Online Poker
Pennsylvania online poker is currently ring-fenced to players within state lines. That means all players are seated with other Pennsylvanians exclusively, even at poker sites that are active in multiple states.
However, Pennsylvania will likely launch interstate poker sooner or later by joining the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA). That would clear the way for PA online poker sites with licenses in other states to host multi-state cash games and tournaments.
The national poker economy stands to benefit significantly if Pennsylvania opens its doors to cross-state traffic. With nearly 13 million people, Pennsylvania is the most populous with legal online poker.
The resulting impacts would include busier cash games, bigger tournaments, and a better poker economy in Pennsylvania. Plus, players in all MSIGA states would see an immediate and significant jump in traffic.
The prospects of Pennsylvania reaching interstate poker agreements with other states have improved in steps over the years. In January 2021, a First Circuit Court of Appeals decision helped assuage concerns that interstate poker agreements may violate the federal Wire Act.
Additionally, there is increasing pressure on Pennsylvania to authorize interstate poker and join MSIGA. The Pennsylvania online poker market once generated more revenue than every other state, but it has lost that title as operators experience stalled or even declining revenue figures. Meanwhile, states like Michigan are taking the lead thanks to interstate player pooling.
And there’s little doubt Pennsylvania lawmakers value online gambling revenue. They instituted some of the nation’s highest online gambling taxes specifically to generate as much revenue as possible. If player petitions aren’t enough to convince the government to act, declining revenue will likely do the trick.
As the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has explained, the decision to join MSIGA rests with the Governor. At this point, the only issue between Pennsylvania and shared player pools seems to be getting the Governor’s attention amid competing priorities.
Is Online Poker in Pennsylvania Safe?
Yes. Legal online poker in Pennsylvania is safe, fair, and well-regulated.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) regulates online poker in Pennsylvania. Some of the PGCB’s most important duties include ensuring games are fair and free of collusion, investigating applicants who want to offer online poker in PA, and verifying ongoing compliance with all safety and integrity regulations.
State law requires all Pennsylvania poker sites to partner with local operators, partially as a favor to the state’s land-based industry but also to encourage accountability and ensure financial stability.
PA Online Poker Age and Identity Verification
Integrity and player protection regulations extend to the individual player as well. All poker sites must verify the age and identity of every new customer. As a result, Pennsylvania poker sites must ask players to provide certain personal information:
- Legal name
- Address and phone number
- E-mail address
- Last four digits of their SSNs
Additionally, online poker sites in PA must verify the physical location of every customer. Therefore, some players may be asked to install geolocation verification software when downloading a mobile poker app or playing online. If a poker site asks you to install a geolocation utility, just follow the instructions on the screen, and you’ll be at the tables in no time.
Pennsylvania Poker Deposit Options
Legal PA poker sites offer fast and straightforward poker deposit methods such as:
Most players will find it easy to open and fund an account, even with no prior experience in online poker. The mechanics of depositing to PA poker sites are no different than making an online purchase anywhere else.
Players can withdraw their funds through most of the same methods used to deposit, aside from credit/debit cards. PayPal, Skrill, and electronic bank transfers all deliver fast transaction speeds and adequate security.
Reasons to Play Legal Online Poker in PA
integrity benefits to players.
- Third-party testing labs routinely verify the randomness and security of regulated poker sites in PA
- State law requires licensed operators to implement protective measures against the use of bots, collusion, and malware
- The PGCB inspects the measures PA poker sites have in place to protect customers’ funds and personal information
- Legal online poker generates tax revenue for Pennsylvania, as opposed to offshore sites that generate revenue for foreign entities
One fact about online poker PA players should remember is that the offshore industry has a long track record of scandals and lost account balances. Playing at licensed Pennsylvania poker sites exclusively is the only way to ensure a safe experience.
Pennsylvania Online Poker FAQ
Alicia is a regular contributor to BettingUSA.com providing fresh insight and a factual take on current events within the gambling industry.
Steve Ruddock is the content director for BettingUSA and the Editor-in-Chief of Gaming Law Review.
Steve has covered the legal and legislative developments in the US gambling sector for more than a decade for online and print publications.