The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has begun negotiations to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), which allows online poker networks to share players across state borders, thus increasing player liquidity.
The development comes after Gov. Josh Shapiro sent a letter, on October 10, to the state’s gambling regulator asking it to begin negotiations to join MSIGA. Currently, Pennsylvania is the only state that permits online poker that has not joined the agreement. Other MSIGA members include Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, and West Virginia.
Gov. Shapiro wrote in his letter addressed to the PGCB: “I respectfully request the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, through its statutory authority pursuant to section 1207 Title 4 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, begin the process of negotiating the Commonwealth’s entrance into the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement.”
“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.”
Josh Shapiro
In March of this year, Rep. George Dunbar introduced HB 2078 to the House. The bill proposed changes to the state’s regulations that would see the PGCB submit a membership application for MSIGA. The proposal is currently with the House’s Committee on Gaming Oversight. Still, HB 2078 has already received support from both Democrats and Republicans.
Despite the broad support, lawmakers have limited time to push the bill forward. If they want to bring multi-state poker to customers in Pennsylvania by the end of this year, they need to act quickly in the remaining legislative days of the 2023-2024 session.
It should be noted that Pennsylvania has seen several additions and expansions to its gambling markets in recent months, including the launch of bet365 and its improvement through an agreement with Playtech.
Additionally, White Hat Studios partnered with Fanatics Casino to launch games in Pennsylvania and Michigan last month. The impact is already clear, with August sports betting revenues increasing by nearly 50% year-on-year.
