It looks like the future of online poker in Pennsylvania is not a sure bet.
That’s because an unexpected turn of events unfolded in October, in PA’s online poker scene. According to data from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), four operators entered the real money online poker space, and surprisingly, their combined earnings fell short of what a single operator, PokerStars PA, achieved 30 months earlier.
This situation highlights a concerning trend, suggesting a stagnation in Pennsylvania’s online poker market. A potential solution to boost the industry could be the state’s participation in the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), which allows shared liquidity among participating states. However, Governor Josh Shapiro’s office has yet to provide any indication of the state’s stance on joining this multi-state online poker compact.
Why The MSIGA Could Be Good For PA
The big picture strongly suggests that iPoker operators stand to gain significant advantages with the inclusion of a larger player pool from Pennsylvania in the MSIGA. This move would benefit the operators and cater to the potential demand from a substantial portion of Pennsylvania’s 12.9 million residents who might be inclined to engage in online poker from the comfort of their homes.
The collaborative compact would also extend the appeal by fostering cross-state play, allowing Pennsylvanians to join poker enthusiasts from Michigan, New Jersey, Nevada, Delaware, and West Virginia.
How Did the Online Poker Market Fare Overall?
Pennsylvania’s online poker rooms collectively earned $2.3 million, showing a 1.5% decrease from September’s $2.4 million.
PokerStars maintained its position as the top performer, a streak it has held since the launch of the PA online poker market in November 2019. However, October marked PokerStars’ second-lowest revenue month at $1.4 million, narrowly avoiding its worst month by a mere $8,126.
Market Performance Analysis
World Series of Poker (WSOP PA) bucked the trend, experiencing a revenue increase in October, generating nearly $490,000, which accounts for a 5.3% increase from September’s $462,000.
Despite this improvement, the operator faced a nearly 15% decline compared to the same month last year ($571,000). Notably, WSOP was just one month removed from its all-time low, excluding its launch month in July 2021, which was incomplete.
Who Will Make the Ultimate Decision on MSIGA?
Doug Harbach, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, mentioned that iGaming operators have inquired in the past about Pennsylvania’s potential participation in the multi-state agreement. However, he clarified that this decision doesn’t fall under the regulatory agency’s purview, even though they would play a role in any discussions.
“We let them know that, according to the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, it’s the governor, currently Gov. Josh Shapiro, who has the authority to agree to and execute such agreements. Operators are well aware of this requirement,” Harbach explained to Penn Bets. “The previous administration was hesitant about moving forward with such an agreement, and as of now, we haven’t received any different indications from the current administration.”
Governor Shapiro is a Democrat and the former state attorney general. This is his first year in office, which has primarily revolved around extending budget negotiations and getting lawmakers on both sides of the floor on the same page.
Once a decision is made, Bookmakers Review will be sure to update the developments.
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