Pennsylvania now ranks as one of the most advanced and lively legal online poker markets in America. Playing poker online is completely legal in Pennsylvania, and the state’s gaming control board oversees it. Players can play at several PA-licensed poker rooms for real money on both desktop and mobile devices.
Since politicians passed a regulation approving online gambling in 2017 – followed by the launch of the first online gambling sites in Michigan in 2019 – the state has been steadily adding operators, upgrading software, and, most recently, joining the MSIGA. This change allows the players from Pennsylvania to join in interstate games with players from other legal US poker states.
Is Online Poker Legal in PA?
Yes. Pennsylvania’s 2017 Expanded Gaming Act also known as the state’s online gambling law has legalized online poker in Pennsylvania. The law allows licensed casinos to provide online slots, table games, and poker under PGCB supervision. The first poker site, PokerStars PA, launched November 2019 and was followed by BetMGM Poker, Borgata Poker, WSOP PA and BetRivers.
Put simply: is online poker legal in pa? Yes if you play on a PGCB-licensed platform. To legally play online poker in Pennsylvania you must.
- Be at least 21 years old.
- Be present in the state while you are playing (residency is not required).
- Use a website or application that prominently displays a PGCB licence and responsible gambling information.
Offshore poker rooms that operate without a license conduct gambling activities outside the Pennsylvania gambling laws. The foundations of these illegal gambling activities do not provide the same consumer protections and recourse. If you want to play online poker in Pennsylvania safely, just stick to operators regulated by the PGCB.
Licensed Online Poker Sites in Pennsylvania
As of late 2025, there are five real money online poker rooms that are operating in the state and they are PokerStars PA, BetMGM Poker PA, Borgata Poker PA, WSOP PA, and BetRivers Poker. They all have local casinos in Pennsylvania and have online poker licenses from PGCB.
A quick summary of the best online poker sites in Pennsylvania.
| Operator | Land-based casino partner (PA) | Shared states (MSIGA network) | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| PokerStars PA | Mount Airy Casino Resort | Pennsylvania only (separate from MI+NJ PokerStars pool) | Biggest tournament schedule in PA, strong software, standalone player pool. |
| BetMGM Poker PA | Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course | MI, NJ, PA (partypoker US network) | Shared liquidity with Michigan & New Jersey, frequent series and branded events. |
| Borgata Poker PA | Rivers Casino Philadelphia | MI, NJ, PA (same network as BetMGM) | Shares player pool with BetMGM, familiar partypoker interface and promotions. |
| WSOP PA | Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack | NV, NJ, MI, PA (WSOP/888 network) | Only site connected to Nevada; access to WSOP Online Bracelet Events and satellites. |
| BetRivers Poker | Rivers Casinos (Pittsburgh & Philadelphia group) | PA, MI, DE, WV (BetRivers / Run It Once network) | Second four-state network in the U.S.; only regulated option in Delaware & West Virginia. |
If you live in PA and want to play for real money, these are the best online poker sites. These sites provide a complete online poker app for iOS and Android along with a desktop client or browser version. Moreover, their game types range from low-stakes cash tables to large weekly poker tournaments.
How Online Poker Is Regulated in Pennsylvania
All legal online poker in PA is regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). The regulator:
- Issues licences to casinos and their online poker partners.
- Verifies software security and Random Number Generator (RNG) integrity.
- Enforces responsible gambling tools like deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion.
- Audits operators for financial stability and segregation of player funds.
Real money accounts are subject to KYC checks name, address, date of birth, and typically the last four numbers of your SSN. Websites also use your location to ensure you’re within state lines every time you enter a table.
Due to the framework surrounding Pennsylvania licensed poker rooms, they are deemed safe and fair by industry standards. Games undergo routine testing, players can file complaints which are escalated to the PGCB, and the state has a long history of robust gaming regulations and tax revenues from regulated gaming.
How to Play Online Poker in Pennsylvania
To play legally in PA, follow these quick steps:
- Pick a PGCB‑licensed room (PokerStars, BetMGM, Borgata, WSOP, or BetRivers).
- Complete KYC (name, address, date of birth, last four SSN) and keep documents handy.
- Allow geolocation in the plug‑in or mobile app to confirm you’re inside Pennsylvania.
- Deposit via online banking/ACH, debit card, PayPal, or Play+ (typical minimum $10–$20).
- Start at comfortable stakes and enable responsible‑gaming tools (limits, cool‑offs).
Tip: If location checks fail, switch to Wi‑Fi, disable VPNs, or use the operator’s mobile app; for quicker withdrawals, ACH or Play+ are often the smoothest.
Interstate Poker and Shared Liquidity (MSIGA)
For many years, Pennsylvania poker has been ring-fenced to in-state opponents. In 2025, the state became the sixth member of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) including Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. BetMGM and Borgata have since connected PA with Michigan and New Jersey; WSOP connects PA with NV, NJ, and MI; BetRivers connects the four states PA–MI–DE–WV. As a result, we get bigger, more reliable traffic and guarantees especially in case of scheduled tournaments.
What’s Ahead for Online Poker in Pennsylvania
While the poker market in Pennsylvania is stable, it hasn’t grown by much. There are a lot of upcoming developments in the future.
- The state might become a member of MSIGA to operate multi-state games, which means a better pool of players.
- The entry of more operators into the market will increase players’ variety and promotions.
- To maintain competitiveness, existing platforms may employ measures like improved apps, bigger tournaments, and loyalty rewards.
Pennsylvania has developed a reliable model for online poker, but whether it will expand will ultimately depend on the industry demand and legislative direction.
Pennsylvania Online Poker FAQs
What are the legal poker sites in PA?
PokerStars, BetMGM, Borgata, WSOP, and BetRivers.
Can I play online poker in Pennsylvania against players from other states?
Yes on MSIGA networks: BetMGM/Borgata (PA‑MI‑NJ), WSOP (NV‑NJ‑MI‑PA), BetRivers (PA‑MI‑DE‑WV). PokerStars PA is intrastate.
Are offshore poker rooms legal in Pennsylvania?
No—only PGCB‑licensed sites comply with state law.
Do I have to pay state tax on online poker winnings?
Yes—federal tax applies and PA’s 3.07% state rate. Keep records.
With robust regulation, multiple legal rooms, and interstate liquidity, Pennsylvania is a leading hub for regulated online poker in the U.S.