The WSOP.com has confirmed that it will launch its online poker operations in Pennsylvania next week. The online poker operator recently announced through its social media accounts that starting July 12, players in Pennsylvania can play for real money at the site, but they will not be able to take part in the ongoing WSOP Online Bracelet series.
WSOP.com will operate in the Keystone state through a partnership with Caesars-owned Harrah’s Philadelphia casino, with software support from 888poker’s brand new and innovative Poker 8 client. PA players will be the first in the US to have access to 888poker’s latest software, which was first rolled out across the site’s European markets.
Interstate Compacts Set to Boost WSOP.com’s US Operations
The WSOP PA player pool will be initially ring-fenced, with players required to create a separate account for the site once it goes live. But this will change soon when PA and other regulated markets decide to take part in interstate compacts.
WSOP.com currently operates in New Jersey and Nevada. It is the only operator to benefit from the existing Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) between New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware. The site is also set to launch in Michigan this year, making it well-positioned for more growth in the US.
With the addition of Pennsylvania and Michigan, WSOP.com will have been live in four US states by the end of this year, with PA and MI having the largest population of 12.8 million and 10 million respectively. Assuming that both states will eventually join the existing MSIGA, WSOP.com will enjoy one of the biggest online poker player polls in the country.
What PA Players Can Expect from WSOP.com
In a July 6 announcement on Twitter, WSOP.com promised the largest guarantees, the best sign up offer, and a new and improved WSOP.com poker client for PA players as soon as the site goes live in the state. Among the generous promotions that players will get to enjoy as part of the launch is a deposit match welcome bonus of up to $1,000, plus $50 worth of free tickets. Additionally, the site is also expected to host freerolls during its opening week.
WSOP PA’s upcoming launch also generated speculations that players in the Keystone could be allowed to take part in the ongoing WSOP Online Bracelet series. Unfortunately, that will not be the case for now, but a special series exclusive to PA players might happen soon, including a Circuit online festival which will form part of the 2021 WSOP Circuit season.
WSOP.com’s PA client will also sport a new-look lobby, with a set of new table themes, avatars, animations, and sound effects, alongside other exciting new features included in the new Poker 8 software from 888poker. The mobile version also now comes with a new portrait mode which allows one-handed play, as well as a new MTT feature enabling players to play up to four tables at once.
The new Poker 8 software will also be introduced across WSOP.com’s New Jersey and Nevada clients after making its US debut in PA.
WSOP.com will announce further details in relation to their PA offerings shortly, so players must stay tuned to the company’s official website and social media accounts.
Competition Expected to Bring More Growth to PA
With WSOP.com going live in Pennsylvania, local players can now play in three online poker networks, including PokerStars PA and BetMGM Poker PA/Borgata Poker PA (running under the partypoker US Network).
PokerStars PA enjoyed an online poker monopoly in the state for over a year, which officially ended with the launch of BetMGM/Borgata in late April. Latest figures from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) show PokerStars PA is still holding majority of the market, with its existing rivals underperforming so far.
PokerStars PA could face tougher competition in WSOP.com, given the latter’s expertise and experience.
The addition of a new online poker operator and the competition that comes along with it will drive more growth for PA, which will help it maintain its status as an online poker market with loads of potential.