Across the United States, casinos are shutting their doors for an indefinite period of time while citizens try to social distance themselves from others. As the coronavirus continues to spread, people need to stop gathering in large groups within the public, as the virus is highly contagious. For gamblers, the options to enjoy gaming are quite limited. Thankfully, there are some states that offer online gaming, such as Pennsylvania. While the land-based casinos are subject to a governor induced closure, the online casinos still offer players a method of entertainment.
Online Gaming Continues On
Earlier this week, Governor Tom Wolf ordered casinos in the state, along with other nonessential businesses to close their doors. All of the casinos are now shutdown including the Valley Forge which was the first to shut down after they were found to be located in an area that had a high concentration of the outbreak.
All 12 of the casinos will remain closed for a two week time frame. Casinos in neighboring states have also shutdown. According to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, the closure of the casinos should not disrupt the online services.
Pennsylvania just recently launched online gaming back in the summer of 2019, offering both online casino and poker games. Right now, the state has eight online casinos, each offering slots and table games. They are not as large as online casinos in New Jersey but still provide a good selection of content.
Opt for Online
Because players cannot travel to the brick and mortar venues, they are more likely to choose to play online. The casinos have already seen steady traffic and surprisingly, so has the online poker market in the state. With the outbreak now happening and people told to stay home, the online industry should see an even larger surge of players.
As long as a player is located within the state’s border’s, they can sign up for an online casino or poker account. Once sign up is complete, a simple deposit gets the ball rolling with online gameplay. Each site is offering special promos which should also help to entice players to log in.
BetRivers is one of the more popular operators offering online gaming services in the state. The brand is home to 75 slot games along with two blackjack options, four roulette games and a baccarat title. Players will also find one video poker title.
For members of BetRivers, there is a loyalty program called iRush which offers points for gameplay and a store where points can be used. The incentives are an added bonus for being a member of the site.
Over the next few weeks, boredom will set in as players are stuck at home. It will not be surprising to see the number of players of online casino and poker sites in Pennsylvania surge. It is a safe entertainment alternative that can be played via mobile or desktop device, with options for low and high rollers. It will be interesting to see how the state fares once the latest figures are released regarding the iGaming industry.
