Pennsylvania Online Poker Ready for Official Launch on July 15

The great news is just in for all poker enthusiasts in Pennsylvania. On July 15, residents of the state will be able to play legal online poker.

Kevin O’Toole, executive director of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, followed this announcement by calling online gaming a “key component” of the state’s gaming plan.

Naturally, before agreeing on the final date, they have worked on estimating how long it will take to complete all the necessary steps, and came to the conclusion that 90 days will be just the right amount of time.

“Accordingly, I have advised the 10 iGaming certificate holders and three iGaming operators that a coordinated go-live period for interactive gaming will commence on July 15, 2019,” he said.

July 15 will mark almost two years since Pennsylvania’s governor approved the law back in October 2017. During the months since the law was approved, casinos have partnered up with operators in order to prepare for the launch.

OnlinePokerReport reported that seven licenses have been paid for and secured. Among those obtaining licenses are online poker giants PokerStars and partypoker.

With New Jersey’s established market producing around $1.8 million per month in revenue, the Pennsylvania market has good potential with a larger population base with nearly 13 million as opposed to 9 million for NJ.

If the market can be combined with the established Multi-State Internet Gaming Association that enabled Delaware, Nevada and NJ to combine their player pools, such a scenario would see the potential player pool roughly doubled, and thus increase the liquidity potential.

For that to happen, the Wire Act situation would have to be resolved. The current end date of the grace period for Wire Act compliance is June 14, which will offer a direction of online poker’s future in Pennsylvania.

Still, there is plenty of room for optimism with the massive success of expanded gambling in Pennsylvania.