GGPoker’s US expansion efforts have just been given a boost after the site’s parent company NSUS Group Inc. successfully obtained an interactive gaming license in Pennsylvania. The operator is aiming to enter the US regulated market as it looks to become the world’s leading online poker brand.
“Manufacturer” License
The license was granted on Wednesday, February 10, during a virtual meeting held by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). The license approval for NSUS was among the top agenda, and it was granted without any objections or additional discussion.
But for clarification, what NSUS was able to obtain was an interactive gaming manufacturer license. This would enable NSUS and GGPoker to provide the technology or software support for iGaming products, including online poker in Pennsylvania. In essence, NSUS would simply act as a software or platform supplier to an existing operator.
2021 Launch Unlikely
The license would not allow GGPoker to go live in the state under its own brand. It would not be able to manage customer accounts and operate the site as its own, unless it obtains an operator license, and in this case it would need to partner with an existing operator in the state, similar to the partnership between PokerStars and Mount Airy.
What this means is that GGPoker will still need to undergo a lengthy process to be able to operate in PA using its own name. Hence, local players might need to wait a bit longer to fully enjoy GGPoker’s online poker offerings, and a 2021 launch would seem unlikely. Even so, this still comes as great news for the poker community in PA as they’ll get another online poker option once GGPoker gets the ball rolling.
A GGPoker representative has confirmed that they’re gearing up for eventual entry to the US regulated market, and trying to launch in Pennsylvania could be their first step.
What’s In Store for GGPoker Players in PA?
A GGPoker launch is still too soon this year, but it will eventually happen, and poker players may now begin talking about what could be in store for them once the site becomes fully operational in PA.
GGPoker’s GGMasters tournaments are a huge hit at the moment across its dot com client, so poker players in PA can expect to see a similar offering. Additionally, they’d be able to enjoy the site’s GGCare promotion, which rewards bad lucks!
And we should also not forget about the site’s latest MTT offering, Flip & Go, which just received an upgrade after getting positive feedback from players.
GGPoker has enjoyed a rapid rise in popularity mainly because of its massive, record-breaking tournaments. In 2020, it partnered with the WSOP to play host to the international leg of the WSOP Online Bracelet Series. The 2020 WSOP Online Main Event made its way to the Guinness World Records for recording the largest single tournament prize pool in online poker history.
Bright Future Ahead for PA Online Poker
The online poker market in Pennsylvania is currently dominated by PokerStars PA, being the only online poker site operating in the state at the moment. It launched in November 2019, and a lot has happened since then.
The operator has generally enjoyed massive success for over a year now, with its monthly average revenue reported to be around $2.9 million. PokerStars PA also pulls in about 400 concurrent cash game players across a seven-day period, surpassing that of PokerStars NJ.
Pennsylvania is the fifth most populous state in the US, and is home to a promising online poker market. The entrance of other operators will definitely bring in more benefits into the state and will also elevate the online poker experience for domestic players.
888/WSOP.com as well as partypoker have already obtained licenses but have yet to launch, though the former is targeting to go live this summer, just in time for the WSOP festival.
PA could also take part in the shared liquidity pool currently in effect between NJ, Nevada, and Delaware, with the recent progress in the Wire Act case.