Review - best pa online poker sites & app

Pennsylvania became the fourth state to regulate online poker and iPoker when it launched in November 2019. It-`s also one of the few states with a legal, licensed, online poker scene that isn-`t experiencing a COVID-related boom in traffic. That makes it an ideal place to play online poker right now as there-`s not as much stiff competition as you might find elsewhere. 

Even though it-`s been live for less than six months at the time of writing (summer 2021), it-`s already showing signs of growth and strength. August 2021 was the strongest month so far in terms of traffic and revenue, which bodes well for the long term viability of the industry in Pennsylvania. 

What we know now is there are low fields and juicy players in all the Pennsylvania poker rooms. So fire up your favorite Chrome poker client, grab one of the first deposit bonuses and get involved. Or, if you're still new to online poker, check out our guide on how to make the most of your welcome offer or . 

Best Legal Online Poker Sites in Pennsylvania

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Best Pennsylvania Online Poker Sites

There are currently only two sites offering in PA but they both have a ton of experience outside of the Keystone State. WSOP.com PA is the bigger of the two with more cash games, players and tournaments. It was also the first site to launch and has had almost three full years to establish itself by 2023. These days, Jetpokerkinger PRO tells you the games are soft. 

However, there is some value playing against players at BetMGM Poker PA, especially if you like mixed games and high stakes. Overall, competition levels are decent and getting better but, for now, you can exploit a lot of players in both sites’ poker lobby.

WSOP.com PA

Unsurprisingly, the Pennsylvanian branch of WSOP.com is the strongest site in the state. This online poker room is attached to Bally’s, one of Pennsylvania’s largest and oldest casinos. You’ll need to create an account and verify your identity. During this process, you’ll have to provide some personal information and send in proof of ID. An employee from Bally’s will then verify your details and activate your account. Once active, you can use any one of the following payment methods to deposit: Visa, MasterCard, 7-Eleven, Neteller, Skrill CashOut, PayNearMe, cash at casino cage, and checks in the mail. 

In terms of promos, you can pick up things like daily / weekly free tickets, leaderboard points, cashback based on how much you play, random cash prizes, and freerolls. But, best of all, you can take part in the biggest – - using the same credentials. The only catch is that you need to be located within the state’s borders to play for real money.

WSOP.com Bonus Code & Welcome Offer

When you join, you get a healthy mix of free cash and money you can release by playing poker. The latter comes in the form of a deposit match worth up to $500. The welcome bonus releases in $10 increments. Each $10 section is tied to APP Points. In other words, you have to play a set amount of hands or rake in order to release each $10 chunk. For example, 60 APP = $10. Therefore, if you want the full $500, you’ll need to generate 300 APP within 90 days of creating your account. Any hands you play or rake you generate earn APP at the following rates: 

  • Real money ring game hands = 5.5 APP per $1 raked
  • Jackpot Sit & Go games = 10.5 APP per $1 raked
  • Tournaments = 5.5 APP per $1 in tournament fees
  • Fast Forward Ring Games = 6.1 APP per $1 raked
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In addition to the above, new depositors can also claim the following extras during their first week online: 

  • Day 1 - $10 Freeplay
  • Day 3 - $100 Weekly Freerolls
  • Day 5 - $50 Weekly Express MTT Series
  • Day seven - Entry to a $500 Depositor Freeroll (top 100 win at least $25)

You will need a to claim all these offers.

WSOP.com PA Promotions

Here’s a quick snapshot of what the promotions page looked like in August 2023. As you can see, there’s something for everyone, with daily and weekly deals, leaderboards, challenges, series, special events, and freerolls: 

As mentioned in the welcome offer section, the $10 free you get on day one is actually part of the weekly $1,000 free prize pool giveaway. Every player that has made a deposit and played at least one hand in the last seven days is eligible. From that player pool, ten wins a $100 prize every week. A total of 100 players win prizes every seven days. Basically, you’ve got a 1/100 chance of winning $10 every week just for playing. Other notable promos include: 

  • Express MTT Series - Low cost tournaments that run every week. Buy-ins start at $1 and finish at $50. Guarantees range from $500 to $5,000. 
  • Leaderboards - Cash games, tournaments, and sitngo players can win points for finishing highly in MTTs, SNGs, and generating rake in cash games. Points lead to prizes, Leaderboard Points (LBP) for tourneys and sitngo, and APP points for cash games. 
  • Freezeout MTTs - Natural 8-Lobby exotic freerolls and satellites offering guaranteed prizepools starting at $20. 
  • Weekly Depositor Freeroll - C$500 GTD. Top 100 players win at least $25. 
  • Random Cash Drops - Log in and play any cash game to be in with a chance of winning a random cash sum (minimum $1). 
  • Annual Super MILLIONS Poker Open Online series - Buy-ins range from $100 - $5,200 and the guarantees scale accordingly. 
  • Special Events - Such as Halloween and Christmas freebies and championships, eg Natural 8-Lobby $100k GTD Championship Main Event had a $1,089 buy-in and attracted a 1,404-player field in Nov 2023. 
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WSOP.com PA VIP Club & Rakeback

A-List members automatically get access to the VIP Game of the Week. This promotion awards APP points based on the number of players in the MTT or the total amount of rake generated in the cash game. Cash game APP rates are higher than normal which means A-Listers actually earn rakeback through this scheme. How much you can earn is unclear but, generally speaking, high volume grinders can rack up a lot of APP points through this deal alone. You’ll either find details of this promo in the VIP club section of the client or via an email from support. 

BetMGM Poker PA

betmGM Poker PA is attached to one of Pennsylvania’s newer brick and mortar casinos - Hollywood Casino. To get started, you have to be located within the state’s border and be over the age of 21. You don’t have to be a resident but you do need to supply some form of ID before you play. betMGM accepts deposits via the following methods: 

  • Visa/Mastercard
  • BORLPay
  • HORSESHOEPAYMENTS app
  • Play+ card 
  • PayNearMe
  • Paysafecard 
  • Cage withdrawal at Hollywood Casino in Pittsburgh
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You’ll need to verify your account before betMGM unlocks its cashier. This is standard procedure in legal US poker markets. However, unlike some other sites, betMGM verifies accounts inside 24 hours. 

BetMGM PA Bonus Code & Welcome Offer

New customers in Pennsylvania can get $50 in free bonuses, plus what amounts to a 100% deposit match worth up to $1,075. Here's how it works: 

  • Get $50 in free bonuses without having to make a deposit. 
  • Get a 100% matched free play bonus worth up to $1,000 on your first deposit. 

The $50 in free bonuses doesn't require a deposit and is available to anyone aged 21+ who lives or visits Pennsylvania. No strings attached. Just click the "REDEEM HERE" button to receive $50 in free bonuses. 

For the deposit bonus, the details are as follows: 

  • You only need to deposit $10 to activate the maximum 100% match. 
  • You have 75 days from redemption to earn the full amount. 
  • You release $10 for every 750 Online Rewards Points earned. 
  • Online Reward Point (ORPs) are earned at a rate dependent on the type of game you are playing. 

So, to break it down, this is essentially a rakeback offer rather than a straight bonus. We estimate that the effective rakeback percentage is around 36%, although exact figures depend on how much you play and what games you choose. 

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BetMGM PA Promotions

If you like mixed games and , BetMGM is easily the stronger site. Not only does jetpocking sensation "Truetroller2" host regular high stakes games, there is plenty of action at lower stakes too. Added to this are lucrative promos such as: 

  • MGM Rewards Points - Earn points every time you play poker or stay at an MGM hotel. Points determine your status and status determines the VIP perks and benefits you receive. From movie screenings and concert tickets to free hotel stays and flights, being a MGM Rewards member opens many doors. And the best thing is, you automatically become a member by creating an account at BetMGM. 
  • Monthly and Weekly MTT Leaderboards - Win large sums of cash by spinning your way up a monthly or weekly leaderboard via MGM Spin & Gos. 
  • Spin & Gos - Natural 8-style games where three players battle it out while a wheel of fortune determines the prize pool. Some of the prizes are worth thousands of dollars and there are satellite spin & gos too - ie the top spot wins an MGM Spin & Go prize plus a ticket for a main event or similar. 
  • New Customer Bonuses - In addition to the $50 sign-up bonus, new customers can also claim free entries to MTMNs, satellites, and other tournaments. 
  • Seasonal Promotions - From Valentine's Day freerolls to summer series, there are seasonal promos throughout the year. 
  • Bug Bounty Program - Find software bugs and get paid between $5 and $500 for each one, depending on severity. 
BetMGM PA VIP Club & Rakeback

betMGM runs an invite-only VIP program called M Life Rewards VIP Poker. As the name suggests, you have to be invited to take part in this promo and the perks vary depending on your status. Generally speaking, VIPs get access to exclusive freerolls, special promotions, and additional Online Rewards Points (ORPs). ORPs determine whether you reach milestones and hit targets when claiming your welcome bonus. Basically, the faster you clear your bonus, the more of it you'll end up receiving. 

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From a rakeback perspective, ORPs can be valuable. For example, each $1 in rake generates 5.5 ORPs in fast fold PLO (MPL). So, if you generate 1,000 ORPs, you'll get $18 in rakeback at a 1.8% rate. For , this is very good indeed. However, at a full ring table, you only generate 3.3 ORPs per $1 raked. This equates to $10.50 in rakeback at a 1.1% rate. As a result, if you don't jetpockey, you'll have to work extra hard to get rakeback at a profitable rate. 

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Fast Facts

  • There were 15 land-based casinos as of October 2023.
  • Total Revenue: $416.7 million (YTD Oct 2023)
  • Online Poker Revenue: $13.6 million (YTD Oct 2023)
  • Biggest CH Casino: Wind Creek Bethlehem ($106.7 million, YTD Oct 2023)
  • of PA Poker Sites: 2

  • PA Players: All residents and visitors aged 21+
  • You must be located within the state to play for real money
  • Most popular visas accepted: Green, temporary resident, investor, student, worker
  • Languages supported: English
  • You can use any of the following currencies: USD, Visa/Mastercards, bank transfers, Neteller, PayNearMe, Skrill, paysafecard

How Do the Top Pennsylvania Card Rooms Compare?

At the moment, there aren't enough poker sites in Pennsylvania to compare directly. However, when other sites go live, we can use the following metrics to gauge how strong each site is. When considering which online poker room in Pennsylvania is best for you, think about the following factors: 

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  • Available games - Does the room have the games you want to play? If you only play Texas Holdem, any site will do. However, if you also play Omaha, Stud, Draw, Mixed Games, and non-standard variants, you may have to shop around. Look out for games running in both full-ring and six-max format as this is a good indication there will be games at a variety of stakes.
  • Player quality - As with games, you should assess player quality by looking at the volume at different stake levels. High stakes games are easy to find but what about the small stakes games? If a site has lots of juicy fish at the bottom, there could be value adding to the six-max line up. 
  • Tournaments - All the major operators in America offer MTTs. However, the size of the GTD prizepools varies. We'll rank rooms according to the volume of low stakes, medium stakes, and high roller MTTs. Additionally, we'll score based on the frequency of satellites and special events. 
  • Promotions - All the major operators in America offer MTTs. However, the size of the GTD prizepools varies. We'll rank rooms according to the volume of low stakes, medium stakes, and high roller MTTs. Additionally, we'll score based on the frequency of satellites and special events. 
  • Software and features - Speed poker (cash games), fast forward poker (cash games), spins & goes, spinning plug tables, four color decks, HD graphics, customizable avatars, betting sliders, straddling, adjustable sound and chat functions, hand histories, session settings, multi tabling, deposit/withdraw limits, etc. 
  • Banking options - Ideally, you want to be able to pay with a variety of cards, ewallets, wire transfers, and vouchers, as well as deposit at a cage/kiosk and set deposition limits. Withdrawals should be possible via the same methods and you should be able to request a cheque or wire transfer. 
  • Mobile options - iOS, Android, Windows, Blackberry, HTML5, iPhone, Samsung, Nexus, etc. 
  • Reputation - Who runs the site, is it established, trusted, and secure? What other products does it offer? Is there a link to a land-based casino? Do people have nice things to say about the company? 
  • Bonuses, rewards, and loyalty schemes - Welcome offers, reload bonuses, VIP programs, freerolls, leaderboards, etc. 
  • Customer support - Email, phone, live chat, Skype, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, etc. 
  • Traffic - It's difficult to rank for traffic because it changes all the time. However, we can rank rooms based on how growth. 
  • Regulation - Where does the license come from? Is the regulatory body reputable? 
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Advantages & Disadvantages of Playing Online in PA

Everyone wants to know what it's like to play online in Pennsylvania. We can tell you it's very similar to Delaware and New Jersey, which is a good thing as those sites have thriving communities and, generally speaking, high standards. 

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Legal, licensed, and fair.
  • Juicy games and rising volumes mean it's getting easier to beat some games.
  • Daily/weekly/monthly MTTs, series, satellites, and freerolls.
  • You've probably got a joint casino/poker account which means it's easy to transfer funds.
  • All the top operators, such as WSOP.com and 888Poker, are live or coming soon.
  • You can use various MasterCard and Visa products to deposit, as well as bank transfers, netellers, skrills, and paysafecards.
  • You can play on your smartphone via HTML5 compatible browser, as well as dedicated apps (coming soon).
  • You'll receive help if you have a problem thanks to responsible gaming tools and organizations.

Cons

  • You can't play online poker in PA if you're not a resident or visitor.
  • Federal tax applies to your winnings.

How Do I Start Playing at PA Card Rooms?

Starting to play PA online poker is simple. If you've played in other states, or even overseas, you'll notice there's nothing out of the ordinary going through the motions in your home state. The only difference is you'll need to be in Pennsylvania at the time of playing, and have an account set up in advance. Follow our step by step instructions below for setting up and playing. 

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  1. Check eligibility - Only people aged 21+ with a verified account linked to an address in Pennsylvania can log in and play for real money. 
  2. Choose a site - Use our reviews to find a site with the games, promos, and payment methods you want. You may also want to consider player traffic, reputation, and software quality. 
  3. Click "PLAY HERE"] on this page to create an account - This will initiate the registration process. 
  4. Create a unique username and password combo - You'll need to verify these details via email, so make sure you enter the correct email address. 
  5. Complete verification - Before you can deposit and play, you'll need to complete account verification. This involves sending in some personal documentation along with an ID that's checked against your application. 
  6. Choose a payment option - Visit the cashier in your account and choose one of the many PA poker deposit options. 
  7. Make a deposit - Enter the amount you wish to deposit and follow the onscreen instructions. Money should appear in your account as soon as, if not more quickly than, you confirm the transaction. 
  8. Claim your bonus - Almost all Pennsylvania card rooms have welcome bonuses. You'll need to opt-in to most bonuses and they'll unfold over several weeks/months. 
  9. Start playing - Find a game and hit the virtual table. Good luck! 

Why We've Partnered with WSOP.com PA

Of all the online poker sites in Pennsylvania, why have we chosen to promote WSOP.com? Well, it would be naive to ignore the fact it's connected to the world's most iconic live poker series. Indeed, being able to qualify for the WSOP in Vegas and other major events from your armchair is a big draw for many players. Added to this are fast, reliable software and some of the strongest rakeback rates in America. 

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But there's another reason. Since the network launched in the state back in 2022, it's seen off its rivals. Yes, more sites will join the party, but, for now, WSOP.com has the highest player traffic. This means it offers the most games at all levels, the tightest action and, overall, the best Pennsylvania poker experience (outside of the Wind Creek Bolero app). 

Can I Play PA Poker Online with New Jersey or Delaware?

Yes. Because WSOP.com PA is linked to WSOP NJ and Delaware, you can create an account and play on all these networks with a single login. In fact, you can link up with Nevada as well for even more opportunities. This means there's usually lots of action and, because the networks share playerpools, prizepools tend to be bigger than on other sites. Even if you focus on the PA network, it's reassuring to know you can jump out and play on other skins whenever you want.

Recent Online Poker News from Pennsylvania

October 12, 2023: Online poker in Pennsylvania continues to grow, albeit slowly. According to data released by the , online operators in the state collected $1.4 million in revenue in September, up 3% from the previous month. Year-on-year, however, revenue was down 13%. Total revenue from all forms of gambling in PA was $403.6 million, up 3% from the previous month and 1% from September 2022.

July 12, 2023: BetMGM PA adds another boost to Pennsylvania's online poker market. and retail casino in Danville. This is the 15th casino greenlighted for online poker and casino games in the state.

June 14, 2023: Pennsylvania's online poker market gets a shot in the arm with the . Wind Creek Hospitality, a Native American tribe, and gaming supplier Intralot team up to offer online games to players across the state.

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April 12, 2023: Pennsylvania's online poker and casino market enjoys a strong March courtesy of March Madness. According to data released by the , online operators in the state collected $1.5 million in revenue, which was 43% up on February 2023. Total revenue from all forms of gambling in PA was $397.6 million, up 6% from the previous month.

January 11, 2023: Another operator exits Pennsylvania's online poker and casino market. On January 31, 2023, PokerStars PA will stop accepting bets and withdraw from the market. Representatives for parent company Flutter Entertainment didn’t respond to requests for comment, although local media outlets have been told the decision was driven by the “challenging and competitive nature” of the state’s online gaming industry.

December 13, 2022: Pennsylvania’s online poker and casino market ends the year with a revenue increase. According to data released by the , online operators in the state collected $1.3 million in revenue, which was 6% up on November 2022. Total revenue from all forms of gambling in PA was $386.3 million, up 4% from the previous month.

October 12, 2022: More than a year after it was first delayed, launches in Pennsylvania on October 10. Although the site initially experienced connectivity issues, it’s now up and running alongside 888Poker which was relaunched as Caesars in the summer. Both sites should provide significant competition for and revitalize what has otherwise been a relatively quiet online poker scene in the Keystone State.

August 10, 2022: Delays are nothing new in the gaming industry, but it’s been a long time coming for , which was supposed to go live in Pennsylvania during the second quarter of 2022. Now, in an , president of interactive gaming at Caesars, Grant Palmer, said the Soft Swipe Act, which delays the date operators have to comply with EMV (Chip & Pin/chip & signature) standards, is to blame. He didn’t offer a new launch date, but did suggest it would be “later this year.”

May 11, 2022: Pennsylvania’s online poker and casino market ended the 2021/22 season in style. According to data released by the , online operators in the state collected $1.3 million in revenue, which was 17% up on April 2022. Total revenue from all forms of gambling in PA was $373.5 million, up 6% from the previous month.

February 9, 2022: Things are getting interesting in Pennsylvania. Not only has WSOP.com announced plans to introduce , but rival site, 888Poker (which will be rebranded as Caesars in the coming months), earlier this week. Details of the new product are scant, but we know James Hartigan and his team will have a tough task on their hands. WSOP.com has a lock on the market right now and its cash games and MTTs are always busy.

December 13, 2021: After eight consecutive months of growth, Pennsylvania’s online poker and casino market took a breather in November 2021. According to data released by the , online operators in the state collected $1.1 million in revenue, which was 3% down on October 2021. Total revenue from all forms of gambling in PA was $340.9 million, up 1% from the previous month.

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October 12, 2021: Pennsylvania’s online poker and casino market continued to recover in September 2021. According to data released by the , online operators in the state collected $1.2 million in revenue, which was 13% up on August 2021. Total revenue from all forms of gambling in PA was $342.3 million, up 4% from the previous month. 

August 10, 2021: After an underwhelming first appearance in April 2021, returns to Pennsylvania with a bang in July. According to data released by the , online operators in the state collected revenue of $1.1 million, which was 5% of the total $333.2 million generated by all forms of legally authorized games.

June 9, 2021: Pennsylvania’s depression gaming revenues continued to climb in May 2021. According to official data, online operators in the state generated $1.1 million in revenue, which was 7% up on the previous month. Total gaming revenue in the state was $326.9, up 5% on April 2021. 

April 13, 2021: The pandemic helped push Pennsylvania’s online poker and casino market to new heights in February 2021. According to data released by the , online operators generated $1million in revenue, which was an impressive 26% increase on January 2021. Total gaming revenue in the state was $300.9 million, up 4% from the previous month. 

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February 9, 2021: Pennsylvania’s online poker and casino market ended 2020/21 with a slight increase in revenue. According to the , online operators generated $932,360 between them during December 2020. This was an increase of 3% month-on-month. However, year-on-year, revenue was down 35%. 

October 13, 2020: Pennsylvania’s first month of shared liquidity gaming has been a success. Figures released by the showed online poker and casino operators generated $866,195 between them. That was an increase of 1% month-on-month and 38% year-on-year. 

July 14, 2020: After years of talking about it, shared liquidity poker games went live in Pennsylvania on July 16. and offered a selection of interstate Hold’em and Omaha cash games and tournaments. Initially, the games were quite dull due to buy-in restrictions, but they soon picked up. Unfortunately, PokerStars wasn’t allowed to use its software to connect to 888poker and WSOP.com, so it missed the boat on this historic day. 

April 14, 2020: Even though land-based casinos were closed in mid-March due to the pandemic, Pennsylvania’s online gaming industry had a good month. Total revenue for the category was $13.4 million, which was a 12.5% increase on February 2020. Breaking that figure down, online poker only contributed $657,826.46, which was a 5% decrease on the previous year. 

March 11, 2020: The year got off to a slow start in Pennsylvania. The state had been growing steadily since regulation began in 2019, but COVID struck in mid-March and forced land-based venues to close. As a result, online revenue became even more important and many states, including PA, saw a surge in activity. 

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