Online poker is still a relatively new industry in the state of Pennsylvania. Having launched last year, players were stuck with only PokerStars as their online provider. Which essentially, is not bad as they are the top operator in the industry. We have waited months to see when another major brand would get started in the state and now it looks like partypoker is awaiting approval to launch.
Partypoker US Network Coming Soon
By this end of this summer or perhaps early fall, we should see a soft launch take place via partypoker in the state. During a recent Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board meeting, details were provided on the operator and its parent company.
Earlier this week, the board held a monthly meeting. Chief Enforcement Counsel of the Board, Cyrus Pitre, stated that ROAR should soon see its iGaming operator license approved. ROAR is an online gaming and sports betting company based in the US. GVC Holdings and MGM Resorts International own the brand as a joint venture.
According to Pitre, the application should be approved by the next board meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for early August. So, we could see partypoker launching their online poker site in Pennsylvania in just a few weeks time.
Reportedly, testing of the online poker platform has already started in the state. The staff of the Board have worked closely with ROAR to launch apps for both partypoker and BetMGM. The brands offer interactive slot games as well as poker and table games. The testing is being conducted on the games and the interactive gaming platform.
With the introduction of partypoker in Pennsylvania, players will have even more to look forward to. More cash games and tournament options including major online poker events.
WSOP Coming Soon Too
Along with partypoker, Pennsylvania poker players will also soon have access to a WSOP online poker site. The World Series of Poker has been preparing for quite some time to launch a branded online poker room. They were expected to be the second to offer iPoker in the state but it seems as though party will beat them to the punch.
WSOP.com is operated by Caesars Interactive Entertainment. The company was approved by the Board back in February to offer online gaming in the state. However, their partner and provider of online poker software, 888, has not been approved. 888’s application is still pending.
Just a few months ago, reports surfaced that 888 was still in the investigative process. At that time, it was unclear as to when the applicant would be ready for approval. However, WSOP.com cannot launch in Pennsylvania until the platform operator is given the go-ahead.
888 currently operates in Delaware, Nevada and New Jersey. It was expected that they would be approved rather quickly in Pennsylvania, but that is not the case.
For now, poker players will have to settle for just PokerStars gaming until the other two brands can begin offering services in the state. Pretty soon, the online poker market in PA will be quite large, offering quality guaranteed gaming along with cash games and promotions!
