- The World Series of Poker (WSOP) platform will see a delayed launch in the Pennsylvania market that will likely take place in early 2021.
- Originally, WSOP was set to open in the Keystone State in 2020 but they need a separate Pennsylvania server per state law in order for them to officially roll out to poker players in PA.
PITTSBURGH – Mobile and online poker players in Pennsylvania are going to have to wait a little longer to see the World Series of Poker (WSOP) platform introduced to the Commonwealth.
Pennsylvanians were hoping to see the poker site open in 2020 but delays have led to a launch date slated for some time in 2021, with an announcement to take place in the weeks to come offering an official date.
Currently, PokerStars is the only legal internet option for players in Pennsylvania and will continue to hold the monopoly on the market until WSOP makes its way into the industry of the Keystone State. PokerStars launched their business in November 2019, having the run of the legal online poker market of Pennsylvania for almost a year already.
The WSOP Situation In Pennsylvania
WSOP is the only internet poker company that is affiliated with Caesars Entertainment Inc. The application for licensure was put into the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) months ago.
They received approval at the end of September for an interactive gaming manufacturer license. This license is good for 888 Holdings, which is partnered with Caesars for all internet poker endeavors.
With this new license, 888 Holdings can now help with the operations of the WSOP platform. But the hold up in a launch doesn’t lie with the licensing aspect. The delays of WSOP for fans of the poker outlet have to do with requirements that the company must comply with in order to launch in Pennsylvania.
They need to have their own individual server for the Commonwealth as is stated with the gambling laws of PA. Once they have acquired a server, the only other issue lies with player liquidity.
WSOP is available in New Jersey and Nevada. Both of these states allow their players to play against each other, intermingling the sites and expanding upon the poker games due to the sheer number of players involved.
It is unknown at this point if Pennsylvania poker players will be able to play against people in the other two states where WSOP is present. But the site has already posted a list of rules for future Pennsylvanian players nonetheless.
Once those two kinks are worked out, then WSOP can launch in the Keystone State. Until then, PokerStars will continue to be the only legal online poker offering available.
After the launch of WSOP, another company is expected to enter the industry for a total of three different poker options. ROAR Digital has put in their application and is waiting for approvals by the PGCB to launch their poker platform.
What’s Coming
Caesars' members in Pennsylvania have been receiving emails on promotional offers for WSOP. The website was also advertising various promotions for their upcoming launch in the Keystone State.
However, those ads have since been taken down because of the delays that are presently taking place. WSOP should be entering the internet poker industry of Pennsylvania in 2021 with an announcement coming soon to fans statewide.