PA Online Poker Sites

With one pen stroke on October 30th, 2017, former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf made the Keystone State the fourth to sanction online gambling, including online poker in PA. Beforehand, only Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey were the only exceptions. The passage of Pennsylvania House Bill 271 enabled PA's land-based casinos, including truck stops, to profit from real money online poker. 

PokerStars made history on November 4th, 2019, as the first online poker Pennsylvania casino. Today, only Nevada generates more casino revenue than PA, including online gambling. Online poker tournaments such as PokerStars' wildly successful Spring Championship reigns in online gamblers with a $200k prize. 

PA poker sites like BetMGM and Bogata Poker joined the PA online poker scene in 2021. As Party Poker stalwarts, BetMGM and Bogata Poker consistently rank as the best online poker sites in PA thanks to poker apps and exceptional Daily C-Note tournaments. And with the addition of WSOP.com a few months later, Pennsylvanians, from the comfort of their living room, have four elite PA poker sites.

Best Pennsylvania Online Poker Sites in 2024

PA poker sites invest in first-class online poker titles like Three-Card and Pai Gow. Notable video poker games like Aces or Better are also PA online poker staples. Besides competitive online poker tournaments, and elegant live dealer play, PA poker sites heavily rely on promotions, including tournament tickets, to add new members.

To compete against offshore online casinos, Pennsylvania poker casinos, like BetMGM, offer lucrative sports betting. PA residents can gamble in peace because the four PA poker sites are 100% legal and regulated by Pennsylvania Gaming Control Division. And while the promotions and lavish online poker tournaments are tempting, the ultimate power to hold or fold rests with each PA player.

We advise analyzing the promotions to get the most bang for your buck. But, for the committed, we have the essential ins and outs to help make the wise bet. Our expert poker team lives for online poker and are seasoned veterans of PA poker sites. We do the heavy lifting about the strengths of each Pennsylvania poker casino for your selection.

PokerStars PA

The Pennsylvania poker casino that started it all, PokerStars PA, since debuting in November 2019, had a first operating year worth the history books. More than 12,000 flooded PokerStars PA's grand opening tournaments with such ferocity that the tournaments' pots quickly increased. With these lucrative online poker pots overflowing, this began an epic boom of new PA players signing up and adding to the pots over the span of fifty prolific tournaments annually.

The online poker stage became set for the undisputed heavyweight champion of Pennsylvania online poker – PACOOP. Between November 30th and December 16th of 2019, the inaugural Pennsylvania Championship of Online Poker shattered online poker records, with guaranteed prizes peaking at over $1.5 million.

To commemorate its first year of PA online poker, PokerStars PA destroyed the previous $1.5 million mark by slightly more than half-million across more than 35 tournaments. Hardcore PA online poker players didn't flinch at the $300-buy in for the memorable PACOOP finale for a shot at the $200K jackpot.

Besides incomparable online poker tournaments, PokerStars PA provides its members with rewarding standalone poker titles like Texas Hold 'em and Omaha High with dazzling pot limits. Omaha offers variations, like Omaha Hi and Low and 5-Card Omaha.

But for those who want to throw caution to the win, PokerStars PA answers the call with No-Limit Texas Hold 'em. For newcomers or those transitioning for free online poker, PokerStars PA has Limit Texas Hold 'em. Limit Texas Hold 'em predetermines the maximum bets for each round.

Quaker State residents can seamlessly switch between Sit and Go, Spin and Go, and multi-table tournaments. Besides Omaha online poker and Texas Hold 'em, PA online gamblers can indulge in these unique online poker titles:

  • Seven Card Stud
  • Stud Poker – Hi or Low
  • 2-7 Triple Draw
  • Razz
  • 8-Game Mix

Through its proud affiliate FoxBet, Keystone residents can make legal sports betting. Besides the sterling online poker lineup, PokerStars PA offers jackpot slot games. NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, and Microgaming lead a gaming ensemble of more than seventy software developers. For the slot games, PokerStars PA has sections for mega way, new, and jackpot slot titles.

PokerStars PA: Key Facts

Freeplay Bonus:$100 for online poker and slot games
Deposit Match Bonus:100% matching bonus worth $600
Apps:Windows, Mac, IOS, and Android
Main Highlights:The inaugural PA online poker site

BetMGM Poker PA

Capitalizing on the meteoric rise of PA online poker, BetMGM Poker PA officially became the second Pennsylvania online poker site in 2021. Wasting no time competing against PokerStars PA, BetMGM Poker PA seamlessly carried its New Jersey and Nevada online poker success into the Quaker State. Armed with a 100% matching bonus worth $1,000, PA online gamblers of all budgets have a fair shot of adding bankroll.

BetMGM Poker PA makes it hard to say no to online poker tournaments courtesy of the $75 worth of MTT passes. A $1,000 deposit sets up this additional welcome prize. BetMGM PA calls all high-rollers with the Daily C-Note tournaments. The C-Note tournaments require a minimum $100 buy-in to compete through fifteen rounds of No-Limit Hold 'em.

For PA online gamblers on smaller budgets, BetMGM has Sit & Go tournaments. These online poker players profit from $1 buy-ins, but high-rollers can buy in $500 poker tables. For Pennsylvanians with the hot hand, BetMGM's Hot Table tournaments randomly select No-Limit Hold 'em tables to sweeten the jackpot. The Hot Tables come in these lucrative VIP-like format:

  • Bronze
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Platinum
  • Diamond

Bronze and Silver Hot Tables reward the winner of the Hot Table round the entire addition worth up to $1,500. However, for the other Hot Table levels, the top winner gets 50% of the take, while the other half is shared with the other online poker players.

Keystone residents can daily claim their share of daily online poker real money jackpots, including Pot-Limit Omaha. A $5 buy-in can be the stepping stone towards higher stakes multi-table or exceptional C-Note tournaments.

BetMGM Poker PA caps the high-society online poker experience with the Daily Spins Package with three buy-in levels. PA players showcase their superb poker skills to climb the leaderboard for a piece of the $500 reward.

BetMGM Poker PA: Key Facts 

Freeplay Bonus:N/A
Deposit Match Bonus:100% matching bonus up to $1,000 and $75 worth of tournament tickets
Apps:Windows, Mac, IOS, and Android
Main Highlights:Rewards Program and Loyalty Club

Borgata Poker PA

Borgata Poker is third among PA's online poker sites. Like its parent BetMGM, Borgata Poker PA is part of the Party Poker network. The main benefit for PA players is shared access to jackpot tournaments like the Daily C-Note and Daily Spins from all Party Poker Network Casinos. Also, progressive slot games tout larger jackpots from the accumulative wagers.

Borgata Poker PA mirrors BetMGM PA with the identical welcome prize worth $1,000 and up to $75 worth of tokens for MTT tournaments. PA players are part of the same Party Poker family regardless if they choose BetMGM Poker or Borgata Poker PA.

Borgata Poker PA's Double Trouble tournaments offer buy-ins from $9 for budget-watchers to $200 for big-stake gamblers. The Cashback Grind rewards real money online poker players with up to $700. When high-stakes poker tournaments like the guaranteed $30,000 pot become unavailable, big-game players can still rack up wins with Borgata's mid-level daily tournaments.

Win or lose, Borgata Poker PA ranks as one of the best online poker sites because all wagers build Borgata Rewards Points. The proud winners of the $700 cash bounty also qualify for redeemable 12,500 BRP points. Borgata Poker PA cements its claim as the king of PA online poker with a mix of No-Limit Hold 'em, Texas Hold 'em, and Pot Limit Omaha.

After being the last one standing in the Knockout Bounty tournaments or keeping pace in the lightning-fast spins tournaments, Pennsylvanians are a spin away from jackpot games like Primate King and Divine Fortune. Gamblers can brush up on online poker nuances before heading into the live dealer.

Borgata Poker PA: Key Facts 

Freeplay Bonus:N/A
Deposit Match Bonus:100% matching bonus up to $1,000 and $75 worth of tournament tickets
Apps:Windows, Mac, IOS, and Android
Main Highlights:$30,000 Guaranteed Tournament

WSOP PA

WSOP PA is the latest among the four licensed PA online poker casinos. Even though its virtual lobby opened in 2021, WSOP PA had had its sights on the Pennsylvania online poker market before it became legal in the Keystone State. Already having a stronghold in New Jersey's and Nevada's online poker market, as soon as the ink dried on PA House Bill 271, WSOP PA began trial runs and communications with Pennsylvania's Gaming Board.

With the PA online poker red hot, in July of 2021, Pennsylvania online poker players were the first in the nation to taste the innovative Poker 8 Software. Built from the legendary 888 Poker engine, PA online player pokers were instantly captivated by the user-friendly and sleek graphical design to keep tabs on WSOP's exclusive MTT and Sit & Go tournaments. And after quickly amassing a PA online poker share exceeding 20%, WSOP PA took its elite Poker 8 Software engine into Michigan's online poker market in 2022.

Despite the wildly successful debut of the Poker 8 Software in the Michigan and Pennsylvania poker markets, online poker players in New Jersey and Nevada are still calling bluffs and getting the competition to fold with older poker software. Perhaps as the mystique of WSOP PA's $100 free play for newcomers continues to grow, WSOP may switch New Jersey and Nevada to the Poker 8 Software.

Arguably the most prestigious reward besides big-ticket cash pots, WSOP PA's gold bracelets are given to the best among thousands of entries annually. Right now and until July 18th, thousands of hardcore poker players compete for that elusive gold bracelet to become the Super Bowl champions of poker. Many previous WSOP gold bracelets champions are taking their rightful place in WSOP's poker hall of fame.

WSOP PA members become gladiators in the high-stakes Gladiator of Poker tournament featuring No-Limit Hold 'em. The crème of the crop high-rollers with $50,000-deep pockets can buy into the High-Roller No-Limit Hold 'em. WSOP PA also offers these exclusive online poker tournaments.

  • Six Hands Badugi
  • Pot Limit Omaha over 8 Hands
  • A mix of No-Limit Hold 'em and Pot-Limit Omaha

Senior PA online poker players compete with other seniors in the Seniors No-Limit Hold 'em with $1,000 buy-ins. Gamblers can reload in between losing hands with WSOP's 100% matching bonus worth up to $1,000. WSOP23R is the bonus code to fill your poker bankroll. Then have a blast outlasting the competition in the Blast 3-Hand Texas Hold 'em. Blast Sit & Go competitions feature jackpots from $60 to $300,000.

WSOP PA: Key Facts 

Freeplay Bonus:$100 Free Play
Deposit Match Bonus:100% matching bonus up to $1,000 and $75 worth of tournament tickets
Apps:Windows, Mac, IOS, and Android
Main Highlights:State-of-the-Art Poker 8 Software

PA Online Poker Sites: Summary

Bottom line, here are some of the main differences between the online poker sites in Pennsylvania:

Poker SiteTournamentsFirst Deposit BonusScore
PokerStars PAPASCOOP100% matching bonus up to $600 or $100 free casino play99%
BetMGM PADaily C-Note100% matching bonus up to $1,000 plus $75 in free tournament tickets98%
WSOP PAGold Bracelet$100 Free Play or 100% matching bonus  up to $1,00095%
Borgata PASunday $30,000 Guaranteed100% matching bonus up to $600 or $100 free casino play93%

Best PA Online Poker Promos

Pennsylvania poker sites offer competitive bonuses for Pennsylvanians on a small budget to seasoned high rollers. Like other online casinos, including offshore, online poker sites use welcome bonuses, free chips, and cashback prizes for luring and maintaining members. The four online poker PA casinos, through compelling starter prizes, quickly amassed a dedicated PA fan base. 

PokerStars PA has dual online poker welcome bonuses. For a modest $100, Quaker State residents can taste success by betting a mere dollar and playing at least one hand of online poker staples like Texas Hold 'em. Then finally, enjoy $100 worth of other online poker real money games like Omaha Poker or jackpot slot games.

While the $100 bonus doesn't apply to sports betting, PokerStars Casino, over five days from the promotion's activation. PA residents can look forward to these captivating promotional additions:

  • Two $5 worth of Spin & Go tickets to play online poker Spin & Go tournaments.
  • Fifty free spins to win big with slot games on the first day.
  • Two additional $5 Spin & Go tickets with a bonus $10 poker tournament ticket.
  • A $10 instant bonus on the third day.
  • The fourth day brings additional $10 passes for online poker tournaments.
  • A non-string attached $30 casino bonus for slots and online poker.

Legal residents must access each promotion within five days of eligibility. Otherwise, they forfeit it. Also, PokerStars PA outpaces other online poker sites in Pennsylvania with the additional welcome online poker package worth $600.

PA online gamblers can choose this secondary starter bonus instead of the $100 deposit package to enjoy other rewarding online poker games. Gambles in the Keystone State can claim this promotion over their first three deposits for the $600 maximum. However, neither promotion applies to sports betting.

Not to be outdone, BetMGM Poker and Borgata Poker provide online poker PA players with a straight-up $1,000 welcome package -exceeding PokerStars' $600 starter prize. Ten dollars is the minimum, but for the maximum 100% matching bonus, deposit $100. Borgata Poker also adds a bonus $20 free chip to sweeten the deal. And unlike other online poker PA casinos, this flat 100% matching bonus adds $75 worth of online poker tournament passes with a $1,000 deposit.

WSOP PA, the latest Pennsylvania online poker casino, entices newcomers with $100 worth of free online gambling. Also, the $10 minimum deposit grants access to freeroll online poker tournaments for new members in the Commonwealth. Be advised that this prize must be used within fourteen days of activation.

WSOPs' 100% matching bonus carries a maximum of $1,000. But unlike the other PA online poker casinos, this bonus is steadily incorporated into members' bankrolls. The key is to amass comp points for it to begin to trickle.

The first winning bet when playing at online casinos with real money is to understand the bonus terms. The Pennsylvania online poker casino bonuses have expiration dates and wagering requirements. The wagering requirements must be met before PA players can make withdrawals. We've put together a short table to highlight the momentous Pennsylvania online poker promotions.

Poker SiteBonusVisit Site
PokerStars PA100% matching bonus worth $600 or $100 free playPlay Now!
Borgata Poker PA100% welcome bonus worth $1,000 Plus a $20 free chipPlay Now!
BetMGM Poker PA100% matching deposit bonus worth $1000 plus up to $75 worth of free tournament ticketsPlay Now!
WSOP PAUp to $100 of Free Play or 100% matching up to $1,000Play Now!

Real Money Online Poker vs Free Online Poker

PA residents accustomed to playing free online poker via poker apps might not have a smooth transition into online poker with real money. Before playing live online poker, standalone games, or through engaging poker tournaments, we advise studying the various poker strategies. Unlike classic poker, todays' online poker games involve more than Royal Flushes. Also, certain online poker real money titles contain different odds, with some favoring the house.

Furthermore, some online poker games are more complex than others. For example, Texas Hold 'em involves additional terminologies and strategies like small and big blinds. PA gamblers planning on competing in high-stakes online poker tournaments should especially read poker guides.

Due to the inherently competitive nature and lucrative online poker tournaments, seasoned online gamblers already involved in Pennsylvania online poker casinos have a head start. So, PA players serious about transitioning from free play poker apps can pick up winning tips from the on-site guides. For example, PokerStars PA specifically has posts breaking down how to play Omaha and Texas Hold 'em online poker.

Take heed of these tips, and don't be afraid, to begin with small buy-ins and smaller hands at PA poker sites. This also includes live dealer play. The hosts at Pennsylvania online poker casinos are trained to protect the house's money.

Another advantage of playing at small buy-ins is that it helps build confidence and perfect online poker strategies. Members not accustomed to playing real money online poker might flame out too early and lose their bankroll and nerve.

As a confidence-builder, PA online poker casinos have a play-money table area. That way, each member can learn the ropes of real-money online poker without losing a single cent. PokerStars PA goes the extra mile with its signature Home Games.

PA poker fans can spend quality time with friends and loved ones for free while building real money poker online strategies. Also, friends and family don't have to be in Pennsylvania to participate in the private Home Games gaming tables. However, Pennsylvania outsiders are prohibited from playing online poker with real money.

While no-deposit bonuses are usually for slot games, Party Poker's $10 free promotions apply to online poker. Register today at Party Poker to qualify for $15 worth of tickets for poker tournaments like The Sunday Carnival.

Type of PA Online Poker Bonuses & Promotions

Besides high-stakes online poker, PA online poker sites load up on promotions. Keystone residents of all experience levels and benefits benefit from these lucrative bonuses. Because poker hands inherently cost more than slot games, these bonuses tend to offer more generous matching bonuses.

PA online poker casinos oblige PA players with small budgets. Sometimes $10 is all it takes to build a cushion for online poker. However, Pennsylvania online poker casinos also oblige high rollers accustomed to big-money online poker. PA players who deposit hundreds might gain can gain up to $1,000.

Perhaps the only thing better than a free online poker promotion is one that costs a buck. PokerStars PA entices new members with $100 worth of free casino gameplay if they wager at least $1 on table games.

Welcome Bonuses for PA Online Poker

Pennsylvania online poker casinos use welcome bonuses like most online casinos, typically for slot and specialty games like Keno. While slot games have wagering requirements, online poker involves rake. Rake is a percentage that PA online poker casinos take to recoup the costs of setting up real money online poker games. 

And while most online casinos give welcome bonuses upfront for slot games, online poker starter bonuses are systematically added to accounts. For inexperienced poker players, this strategy can help manage their bankroll to stay in real money poker games longer.

No-Deposit Bonuses at Online Poker Sites

While welcome bonuses require a real money deposit, no-deposit bonuses at online casinos only require registration and account activation. PA online poker casinos like PokerStars PA parlay this into $100 free play for online poker with tickets for Sit and Go tournaments and others like Deepstack Saturday.

No-deposit online poker promos give PA residents a win-win situation. Even if Keystone residents don't win playing online poker for real money, their budget remains intact. Besides winning real money, no-deposit poker prizes afford PA players the luxury of honing their skills and testing strategies for free.

Freeroll Tickets

Tournaments are staples for Pennsylvania online poker. While the buy-ins require real money, freeroll tickets are another way PA online poker casinos can entice new members to join. Freeroll tickets are no-deposit packages used exclusively for online poker tournaments. However, freeroll tickets sometimes buy free entry into elite online poker tournaments like Borgata's high-roller $30,000 guaranteed pot on Sundays.

But freeroll tickets aren't always permanent. PA players fortunate enough to have them must use them before they expire. Some PA poker sites set the expiration date within days of the freeroll becoming active or if a particular online poker tournament goes on hiatus.

Online Poker Apps in Pennsylvania

The four PA online poker sites invite legal gamblers to register and sign in via the official poker apps. With a couple of taps, Android and Apple users can have their accounts up and running. Like you would download and install mainstream apps like Netflix or Spotify, the Pennsylvania poker apps are free to download and install at Google Play and Apple Pay.

While non-Keystone residents can download these official poker apps, unless they are present in Pennsylvania, they are ineligible to play online poker real money games.

However, legal online gamblers in Pennsylvania are a tap away from joining MTT and Sit & Go tournaments. Of course, the Pennsylvania online poker apps give smooth access to sports betting, live dealer, and slot gameplay. Poker apps also provide instant notifications, especially for those competing in daily tournaments and position on the leaderboard. Members also benefit from automatic updates to their favorite PA online poker sites.

The Pennsylvania poker sites also have links directly on their websites for downloads. If using a computer or laptop, log in and choose either PC or Macintosh. If your PC or Macintosh meets the minimum requirements, the poker apps download directly where you designate them to download on your machine.

Opening the download opens an executable file, requiring you to enter account details. Once installed, a shortcut icon appears on the desktop for one-tap access. For those with pre-existing accounts and who are physically in Pennsylvania, enter the sign-in details to return to the virtual lobby.

Mobile users unable to find these official poker apps from the Google Play or Apple Pay stores visit the respective PA online poker sites for direct download. Players can typically find these links in the mobile section in the footer area.

How to Sign Up with PA Online Poker Sites

Prospective members must be at least 21 and physically in Pennsylvania to meet the registration criteria. Of course, new members can use the registration form directly on these Pennsylvania poker sites. Pennsylvania gamblers can also download the official poker apps on PC and Mac laptops and computers.

The same applies to Android and Apple phones and tablets from the casinos' websites or through the Google Play or Apple Pay store. Downloading these apps works like installing a movie-streaming or food-ordering app. Apple Pay members must have an active account, while Google Play members must have an active Gmail account.

Computer and laptop players are given brief instructions to install the software, while mobile players can install the poker apps on their respective mobile devices. Mobile players can also sign-up directly through the mobile web browser. Whether through poker apps or via the web browser, Pennsylvania poker sites, like most online casinos, will verify the data.

Prospective members might have to submit multiple photo identifications or utility bills as proof of identity and current address. Once approved and located in the Quaker State, new Pennsylvania online poker members will have unrestricted access to championship online poker tournaments, sports betting, and slot and live dealer play.

Depositing & Withdrawing at PA Online Poker Sites

Unlike other casino games, online poker inherently involves higher deposits and buy-ins. With complex variants like Texas Hold 'em and Omaha poker or staples like Three-Card Poker, strategy, timing, and instinct are essential for victory. Because no auto-play exists in poker, winnings warrant higher cashouts with faster processing times.

Like standard online casinos, PA poker sites marry traditional banking methods like credit cards with e-wallets. We do heavy lifting for PA poker players to choose the appropriate deposit and withdrawal methods.

Credit and Debit Cards

Depending on the Pennsylvania poker casino, American Express and Discover Card might be available with Visa and MasterCard. But typically, Visa and MasterCard are staple deposit options. Featuring low deposit minimums, sometimes between $10 to $25, online casinos process these deposits instantly.

Before new PA members are eligible to use credit and debit cards, PA poker sites require all members to go through the credit card authorization process. Please note the credit card authorization process can be lengthy and might require additional paperwork and identification proof. We recommend handling this task once your account becomes active.

Prepaid Play+ Cards

Due to the emergence of prepaid cards at online casinos, including Paysafe Card and ecoPayz, PA online poker casinos are beginning to incorporate personally branded prepaid play cards. Unlike standard prepaid cards, PA casino cards have additional security measures and provide more flexible ATM withdrawals.

Casino Cage

Pennsylvania players can make easy and swift deposits at their preferred Pennsylvania poker site. Casino Cage is also open for eligible players to make withdrawals.

PayNearMe

Because PA online poker sites must have a tie to a land-based casino in Pennsylvania, PA players can make in-person deposits. PayNearMe is a premier service where gamblers can make cash deposits at a local CVS or Walgreens. Because PayNearMe incurs deposit fees that can quickly eat up smaller deposits.

PayPal

Arguably the most used and most recognizable e-wallet in the world, PayPal is a user-friendly deposit option that serves as a middleman for PA poker sites and online gamblers. However, due to transaction fees and resulting tax fees, PayPal isn't a staple banking method at online casinos. A valid email address and a current address sets up a PayPal account. PayPal will send test deposits to your bank account for further verification.

Neteller and Skrill

Both are e-wallet deposit options that are en vogue at online casinos. Neteller and Skrill operate like PayPal, serving as buffer between PA poker sites and the player for security purposes. However, due to fees, some online casinos don't carry Neteller and Srkill.

E-checks

Next to credit cards, e-check deposits go back to the pioneer days of online casinos in the late 1990s. Also referred as ACH transfer service, e-checks serve as a secure conduit to make deposits directly from banks accounts to the online casino cashier. For security purposes and if available, PA online casinos require account verification. E-checks are also sometimes used as a trusted withdrawal option, especially for larger withdrawal transactions, minus fees.

Bank Wire

Similar to e-checks, PA gamblers can make secure deposits directly from their bank accounts. However, bank wire takes considerably longer and requires larger deposit amounts compared to e-checks.

Money Order and Paper Checks

Sometimes online gamblers might not have a viable online banking method to receive their winnings. In these cases, PA poker casinos can mail out paper checks through the courier. This snail mail delivery can take several business days from the time of processing to reach recipients. Also, paper check withdrawals typically require larger withdrawal amounts, which impacts the processing time.

Today, Bitcoin and crypto are growing in scope and popularity at online casinos. Many of these same online casinos increase welcome and sports betting promotions to encourage using crypto. Sometimes VIP members receive free chips for advancing through the loyalty club using crypto options.

However, at this time, it doesn't appear that the four PA poker sites offer crypto as banking options. Before creating accounts, we advise browsing through the casino's banking options for compatibility.

PA Online Poker Tournaments

From annual championship online poker tournaments to simple and amusing daily tournaments, PA poker sites strive for customer satisfaction. Giving their esteemed members an edge to pad their coffers through welcome bonuses and daily spins, these online casinos offer buy-in daily tournaments for as small as $9 to thousands of dollars for high-rollers to compete in guaranteed tournaments.

PokerStars PA, the first legal online poker casino PA lured poker-starving players into its iconic PACOOP poker series. Boasting a PACOOP jackpot topping $1.5 million, PokerStars PA had a complete lock on the Pennsylvania online poker market.

For the second PACOOP series held in late summer to early fall, online gamblers exceeded the previous year's total. PokerStars PA also offers the acclaimed spring tournament, PASCOOP. Between March and May, PA gamblers compete for the illustrious $200k pot.

Benefiting from the overachieving poker tournaments from the other three PA poker sites, WSOP PA offers the compelling Main Event Maynia tournament. In the Main Event Maynia, players compete in a vigorous live qualification round. But of course, WSOP PA has the incomparable gold bracelet tournaments bestowed upon the undisputed kings and queens of poker. WSOP PA's tournament of champions offers freeroll tournaments peaking at $1 million.

When BetMGM and it sister brand Borgata Poker came online in 2021, the online poker tournament pots continued to overflow. While BetMGM and Borgata might not have the same prestigious PACCOP and Main Event tournaments, they offer compelling tournaments like the Daily-C. Members on tight budgets can become big winners with Daily-C with $5 buy-ins. But for those unafraid of big stakes, $500 buy-ins are available.

Regardless of which Pennsylvania poker site members choose, they bank on frequent daily tournaments and weekend specials like Borgata's Sunday's Guaranteed $25,000 tournament. With high-stakes prizes and MTTs around the clock, PA gamblers are always on time to win.

Pennsylvania Online Poker Laws

PA poker sites have live dealers, tournaments, and video poker. Video poker is available 24/7 whenever logging into the virtual lobby. But for tournament play, Pennsylvania poker sites offer extensive daily schedules. From Knock Out Bounty tournaments mixed Hold 'em and Omaha tournaments, gamblers of all experience levels and bankrolls can become winners.

Dedicated online poker sites offer more diverse and flexible live poker rooms compared to other online casinos. PA poker sites organize their poker rooms based on the number of available players, buy-in values, and jackpot sizes.

While all online casinos share similarities, there are fundamental differences. For example, sports betting sites prioritize sports books over poker and slots. Similar to the Poker 8 Software updating tournament leaders and schedules, online sports bookies rely on similar software for up-to-the-minute odds for pre-scheduled and in-progress games. 

The same way PA poker sites have detailed online guides, online sports bookies have betting guides. These in-depth sports betting guides detail fundamental sports wagers like money lines, underdog, and parlays. However some online casinos specializing in sports betting, also offer in-depth online poker sections. 

Depending on the site, they might offer Turbo, Sit & Go and Guaranteed online poker tournaments, and a slot game section. Basic online casinos rely on slot games, three-reel and five-reel. However, some slot-driven online casinos have sections supporting six-reel slot games.

To compensate for the lack of online poker games and tournaments, traditional online casinos have hundreds of slot games, sometimes by more than one-hundred software developers. Epic developers like Real-Time Gaming offer progressive jackpot slots with pots reaching over $1 million dollars. Traditional online casinos also offer more no-deposit bonuses compared to online poker and sports betting sites.

All online casinos offer direct play via the web browser, but it customary for online poker sites to have cross-platforming poker apps. Also, prominent sports betting casinos and major online slot casinos may have downloadable apps catering to Android and Apple phone and tablet users.

Desktop clients from PA Poker sites offer the same easy-access to the poker games and tournaments. Unlike the web browser, desktop software doesn't require the internet after the initial download and account set up. Whether playing through free poker apps, the web browser or from a desktop client, we highlight the unique qualities of these poker games and tournaments.

  • Cash games: Cash games feature flexible buy-ins to accommodate all players. Cash games offer re-buys should players lose. Unlike chips from tournaments, cash game chips have real money values. PA gamblers can play for less than an hour or all day with cash games.
  • Poker tournaments: Multi-Table tournaments, better known as MTTs, permit up to ten players to compete across more than one table simultaneously. Unlike single table tournaments, MTTs randomly place gamblers at the tables once they sign-up. All MTT players begin with the exact chip count and value playing Pot-Limit Omaha, No-Limit Hold 'em, or a mix of both.
  • Progressive knockout (PKO): Perhaps the most aggressive of the online poker tournaments, for each player that competitors knockout, they receive half of the fallen player's winnings with the other half placed on them. BetMGM and Borgata offer the weekly Thursday PKO with pots worth $7,500.
  • Sit & Go tournaments: These single-table tournaments are available all day and can start anytime. Unlike other online poker tournaments, Sit & Go's only begin with all the spots are full. In 9-hand Sit & Go's, the top three players receive winnings. The first-place player gets 50%, while the second-place members get 30% of the take, and the third-ranked player gets 20%.
  • Jackpot Sit & Go's: For quicker competition playing Texas Hold 'em, Jackpot Sit & Go's focus on three players. All PA poker sites feature a Jackpot Sit & Go where games can end in minutes, and cashouts can exceed buy-ins by thousands.
  • Fast-fold poker: Players that fold are switched to new games, beginning a new playing hand. Fast-fold poker eliminates holds up and waiting periods for all involved. BetMGM and Borgata's version is known as Fast Forward, while PokerStars refers to Fast-fold poker as Zoom.
  • International Sites: Offshore online casinos are immediate competitors for PA poker sites because they don't have to adhere to any state licenses. Beyond featuring sports betting and staple No-Limit Hold 'em, offshore casinos pride themselves on Omaha poker variations, including PLO and PLO8. These International sites spice up prominent tournaments with fan favorites like Caribbean Stud and classic Seven-Card Stud poker, for example. When PA poker sites link up with other licensed states like New Jersey and Michigan, it's possible more poker titles enter the roster.

Safety & Fairness at PA Online Poker Site

In order to legally operate in Pennsylvania, all PA poker sites must have a license sanctioned by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. And as an added condition for a state license, Pennsylvania online poker casinos must partner with one of the Keystone State's twelve land-based casinos. For example, WSOP PA affiliates itself with Harrah's in Philadelphia. Failure to follow state gambling laws can result in fines or a revoked license.

PA poker sites understand that reputation is a deciding factor among promotions and online poker selection. Therefore, licensed online casinos fare better than unlicensed online casinos. This is a prominent factor why the Pennsylvania online gambling market skyrocketed when PokerStars PA went online in 2019. Licensed Pennsylvania poker sites are audited for fair and accurate game results to assure public confidence.

With many review sites dedicated to analyzing online casinos, legal Pennsylvania casinos work on brand management on online sites and social media. To encourage positive feedback, these sites might offer exclusive social media promotions as a thank you. Besides proudly mentioning being licensed by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control board in their footer section, PA poker sites are part of well-known online gambling conglomerates.

Pennsylvanians already registered at offshore online casinos prior to the launch of PokerStars PA are familiar with prominent names like Caesar's Entertainment, the parent company of BetMGM, and Borgata Poker, licensed in multiple states. Reputable online casinos also offer gambling management tips and resources to help those suffering from gambling addiction.

And for any disputes, players might have with a PA poker site, these casinos can't prohibit their members from directly taking their disputes to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, which gets the final word. And for rulings that don't go an online casino's way, for the better long-term interest of protecting their global brands' reputation and revenue, they will adhere to the rulings. That way, they can cut down on negative reviews, which travel fast across the internet.

For example, PokerStars PA actively went through bot tests with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board as a licensing condition. Bots were something that PokerStars struggled with in its other markets. To ensure member satisfaction, PokerStars issued refunds to members whose bankroll and wins were adversely impacted by the bots.

With nearly fifty years of unrivaled poker experience, WSOP joined the world-renown Caesar's Entertainment brand. Prior to Caesar's Entertainment, WSOP was owned by other trans-national casino conglomerates, Binion's Horseshoe and Harrah's Entertainment. With prominent casinos online and globally, Caesar's Entertainment can ill-afford negative publicity, so it continuously goes the extra mile for complete customer satisfaction.

Pennsylvania Online Poker FAQs

Is Pennsylvania online poker legal?

Online poker was legalized by passing Pennsylvania House Bill 271 in 2017. In the fall of 2019, PokerStars PA became the first PA poker site to launch. In 2021, BetMGM and Borgata PA officially entered the Pennsylvania poker market. WSOP became the fourth online poker spot to operate legally in Pennsylvania in 2022. All PA poker sites are licensed and regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

Where can I play online poker in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania residents and eligible gamblers can play online poker only within the state's limits. PA poker sites invest in user-friendly websites that are mobile-friendly for Quaker State residents and authorized gamblers to play anywhere in the state. For further convenience, these same online casinos offer free poker apps that are compatible with computers, Android, and Apple devices.

Are PA online sites fair?

As a licensing condition, all PA online sites are subject to audits to investigate fairness. Also, Pennsylvania online casinos rely on sophisticated gaming monitors like Provably Fair and Random Number Generators to assure accurate and fair gaming results.

What types of online poker will be available?

PA poker sites offer competitive live poker tournaments, live dealer play, and captivating video poker options. Knockout Bounty tournaments and Sit & Go live poker are fan-favorite online poker options.

How old do I need to be to play online poker in PA?

Pennsylvania poker sites require eligible online gamblers to be at least 21.

Do I need to live in PA to play online poker?

While online casinos in Pennsylvania cater to PA residents, members don't have to be official state residents. However, eligible members must be physically in the state, creating an account, or actively playing. Otherwise, the geo-restrictions will lock you out.

How are my winnings taxed in PA?

The Quaker State imposes a 3.07% tax on gambling winnings. Fortunate winners are advised to report their winnings under the Gambling and Lottery winnings section of the PA-40 tax form. PA poker sites are obligated to send the IRS a W-2G form for slot and bingo winnings topping $1,200 and for table and online poker games meeting the $1,500 threshold. These same online casinos are also obligated to inform the IRS if players with Knockout Bounty or other online poker tournaments have winnings worth at least $5,000.

Can people from other states play poker on Pennsylvania sites?

Except for PokerStars PA's Home Games feature, online Pennsylvania residents or registered members actively in Pennsylvania can play real money online poker.

Can I play poker against players in other legal states or foreign countries?

A strong reason for legalizing online poker in Pennsylvania was to compete against its neighboring states, like Delaware and New Jersey, for tax revenue. Before the passage of House Bill 271, Pennsylvanians were flocking to legal online poker states. At this moment, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board hasn't authorized a multi-state online gambling pact.