PA Online Poker Sites

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Pennsylvania’s online poker scene is thriving, featuring popular sites like PokerStars, BetMGM, WSOP.com, and Borgata Poker offering tournaments and cash games to players in the state. These platforms are fully licensed and authorized in Pennsylvania.

Numerous online poker tournament series are always on the horizon, including the WSOP Online Circuit, WSOP Bracelet events, PokerStars COOP, SCOOP series, and many others.

On this page, you can find new player promotions like no deposit bonuses and deposit match welcome offers for poker in Pennsylvania. It offers all the information necessary to start playing at approved online poker sites.

Play online poker in Pennsylvania

Rank
Casinos
Bonus
Features
Play
1
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4
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On Sign Up
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5
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On Sign Up
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Live Dealer and Exclusive Games
Use Bonus Code: PLAYNJ
6
$2,000
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8
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9
$1,000 Bonus
100% Match On First Deposit
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10
In Bonus Bets
UP TO $1,000
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$1,000 Paid Back in Bonus Bets
Use Bonus Code: PLAYBONUS

Best Poker Sites in Pennsylvania

The key to online poker site success is attracting a large player base to ensure a variety of cash games and tournaments. Pennsylvania poker rooms have achieved this by offering generous tournament prizes, enticing players to come back for more.

Pennsylvania’s robust online poker market is thriving thanks to the presence of top poker brands that cater to players in the state. Make sure to check out these recommended sites:

  • PokerStars PA is known for its excellent software, highly praised by poker players. While Pennsylvania players may not be able to compete against the large international player pool, they can still enjoy a variety of games on the user-friendly platform. With just one cash hand or a $1 wager in the casino, players can receive $100 in bonus play or a deposit bonus of up to 100% up to $600.
  • BetMGM Poker, licensed in Pennsylvania through a partnership with Hollywood Casino in Grantville, is a member of the MGM Resorts International family. The site offers a range of cash games and tournaments for players to enjoy. New users can utilize the promo code PLAYNJFREE to receive up to $75 in tournament tickets and a 100% match bonus up to $1,000 on their initial deposit.
  • Caesars Entertainment’s WSOP.com/888 has teamed up with Harrah’s Philadelphia to bring its innovative platform to Pennsylvania. Along with online circuit and bracelet events, players can access cash games, ‘Blast’ poker, and a full tournament lineup. New players who join WSOP can receive a total of $1,100, including a 100% up to $1,000 Deposit Match and up to $100 in Bonus Play upon deposit.
  • Borgata Poker extended its reach to Pennsylvania in April 2021, marking the second state where the renowned poker room is now accessible. Players can partake in daily guarantees, bounty tournaments, and cash games. New players who sign up using the promo code PLAYNJ and deposit for the first time can earn up to $75 in tournament tickets and a 100% match bonus up to $1,000.

New poker sites in PA

After having only PokerStars PA as the sole poker option for over a year, Pennsylvania now has four online poker sites and potential for even more. The newest addition to the state’s online poker scene is WSOP.com, which brings their famous Online Circuit and WSOP Online Bracelet tournament series to players in Pennsylvania.

BetMGM and Borgata are the initial four poker apps available in Pennsylvania, with additional sites anticipated to debut soon. Valley Forge, Parx, and Wind Creek are currently the only casinos holding online poker licenses, creating opportunities for other brands such as GG Poker, 888 poker, Run It Once poker, and partypoker to potentially join the market.

The Partypoker network has a presence in Pennsylvania through the Borgata and BetMGM poker sites, both of which use Party’s software. Although there is no Party Poker site in PA at the moment, this could change in the future. If it does, we expect a welcome offer like the one in New Jersey, which includes a $25 bonus just for registering.

What do PA poker apps offer?

PokerStars Pennsylvania

Poker players worldwide unanimously praise the unmatched software quality of PokerStars’ desktop client and apps. The fast and seamless gameplay, along with convenient features like table resizing and the ability to customize profiles with personal pictures, are highly valued by players.

Mount Airy Casino collaborated with PokerStars to introduce the inaugural online poker platform in Pennsylvania, which has seen immense success surpassing initial projections. At present, player pools remain exclusive to Pennsylvania and are not integrated with PokerStars’ New Jersey site. This arrangement will persist across all online poker platforms in Pennsylvania until further notice.

New players can receive two bonuses.

  • Participate in one cash hand or place a $1 bet at the Casino to get $100 in bonus play, or a deposit bonus of up to 100% valued at up to $600.

Regular players can benefit from a special loyalty program that grants rewards ranging from 15% to 33%. PokerStars Rewards offers customized chests filled with prizes based on the player’s activity, with more valuable rewards given to those who play more often and at higher stakes.

Players at PokerStars have the opportunity to engage in a diverse range of games, such as cash games, tournaments, and sit & go’s. The platform features exclusive options like the high-speed cash game Zoom Poker and the lottery-style sit & go format ‘Spins’. Special events like the PACOOP (Pennsylvania Championship of Online Poker) showcase large prize tournaments and are a standout feature of the tournament lineup. Additionally, PokerStars hosts multiple tournament series with significant guarantees, providing players with ample opportunities for excitement and rewards.

BetMGM Poker

BetMGM Poker is an online poker platform that is affiliated with the prestigious MGM Resorts International. The company has formed alliances with leading gaming companies like Entain (formerly GVC Holdings) and Penn National.

In April 2021, BetMGM debuted in Pennsylvania with a variety of new features. In addition to traditional cash games and daily tournaments, players can now enjoy Fast Forward, a quick-fold NLH cash game, and regular tournament series. The majority of games offered are no-limit hold’em, with a selection of PLO and PLO8 games also available.

New players can receive up to $1,075 in bonus money by using promo code PLAYNJFREE and making a deposit during registration on the website.

  • Get up to $75 worth of tournament tickets for free play depending on the amount of your first deposit.
  • Receive a 100% deposit match bonus of up to $1,000 when you deposit $10 or more at BetMGM. They will match every dollar you deposit, effectively doubling your deposit amount up to $1,000.

After meeting a specific playthrough requirement, the bonus dollars, including the $75 worth of tournament tickets, can be exchanged for cash. Converting the deposit bonus into cash necessitates earning 20 times the amount of iRewards Points. The bonus will be distributed to you in 10% increments, enabling you to receive it gradually.

Please be aware of the time limit and make sure to use your bonus within 7 days. Any bonus left after this time will be surrendered to BetMGM, so be ready to wager a significant amount when you make your first deposit.

WSOP Poker Pennsylvania

The World Series of Poker brand is owned by Caesars Entertainment, the same company that owns the renowned Harrah’s Casino in Pennsylvania. WSOP.com can be accessed in Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

888 Poker has created software that is accessible on both mobile and desktop devices. Poker 8 is a more modern and efficient version of their online poker platform, aimed at providing players with a smoother and more intuitive gaming experience.

Newcomers to WSOP Pennsylvania can take advantage of generous bonuses.

  • Get a 100% match bonus when you deposit up to $1,000.
  • Get up to $100 in Bonus Play with your deposit.

Redeem this by entering the bonus code 25FREE.

You can earn your bonus by accumulating points in real money games at WSOP. They provide satellite qualifiers for World Series events, as well as various online poker promotions. Be on the lookout for new poker formats such as ‘Blast’ lottery Sit and Go’s, alongside the traditional NL Hold’em and PLO cash games and tournaments.

Borgata Poker PA

Players in Pennsylvania are already familiar with the prestigious Borgata brand due to its well-known Atlantic City casino, where some of the most notable live tournaments in the region take place. Now, poker fans in Pennsylvania can experience the excitement of playing Borgata poker online.

Borgata Poker and Rivers Philadelphia have joined forces to launch their online poker platform in Pennsylvania, sharing player pools with BetMGM Poker. This partnership guarantees that both platforms provide a wide range of cash games, tournaments, and welcome bonuses. New players can enjoy the following perks:

  • Receive up to $75 in tournament tickets with your deposit.
  • Receive a deposit match bonus of 100%, up to $1,000, by entering the Bonus Code PLAYNJ.

At Borgata, cash games feature 6-max and 8-max no-limit hold’em tables with stakes starting at $.01/$.02 and going up to high stakes of $5/$10, $10/$20, and $25/$50. Players can also participate in Fast Forward games at $.05/$.10 and $.25/$.50 stakes. Borgata offers sit & go’s and jackpot-style spin n go’s known as ‘Spins’, although availability may vary due to low player volume.

Borgata offers a range of multi-table tournaments at low to mid-stakes levels, featuring guaranteed prizes and ideal for beginners in online poker. Alongside its standard tournaments, Borgata partners with BetMGM to present prestigious tournament series like the partypoker US Online Poker Series, Bounty Blitz, Cheap Stakes Series, End Boss Series, and more.

How legal online poker sites in Pennsylvania work

When it comes to online casinos and sportsbooks, players usually go online to place their bets. But when it comes to poker sites, the preferred method is to download a desktop software client to access the games. This allows players to enjoy all game types, easily multi-table, and ensures the games are stable. Many players stress the importance of avoiding the client crashing during key moments, such as when dealt pocket aces.

Both Android and Apple (iOS) devices can download a free poker app from each site.

When you enter the PA poker rooms, you will find four main poker formats. The games available and which ones are currently in progress depend on the number of players at each location.

The main formats are:

  • Cash games in poker use actual money chips that can be topped up to the table’s maximum limit at any time. Online poker cash games can begin with buy-ins as low as $2 and go as high as over $1,000. The stakes for these games can vary from $.02/$.04 to $1,000/$2,000, and tables typically cater to two, six, or nine players.
  • PA online poker apps host multi-table poker tournaments that attract a large player base and boast generous prize pools. The majority of these tournaments are in no-limit hold ’em, with some PLO and PLO 8 events also available, and players have the option for unlimited or a set number of re-entries. Additionally, some apps offer mixed games, STUD, and other formats during special tournament series. Typically, around 10% of participants will receive a cash payout.
  • PKO tournaments, also known as progressive knockout tournaments, feature a bounty system where half of the buy-in is allocated towards bounties. When a player is eliminated, half of their bounty is awarded to the player who knocked them out, while the other half is added to the eliminator’s own bounty. Numerous poker sites in Pennsylvania hold weekly PKO tournaments, with some even hosting dedicated tournament series for this exciting format.
  • Sit & Go tournaments are small-scale events that start as soon as the table is filled and typically award prizes to the top two or three players.
  • Pennsylvania poker sites offer Jackpot Sit & Go tournaments, featuring a quick-paced, short-handed tournament format. These tournaments are known as Spin & Go at PokerStars, Blast Poker at WSOP.com, and Spins at BetMGM and Borgata. Prize pools are randomly assigned before the start of play, with the chance to win up to 10,000 times the buy-in amount.
  • Fast-fold poker is a game-changing innovation that eliminates the tedious downtime players often face while waiting for others to finish hands. Instead of waiting around, you are swiftly moved to a new hand as soon as you fold. Players are organized into pools rather than individual tables, resulting in quicker and more exciting gameplay. This unique cash game format is called Zoom at PokerStars and Fast Forward at BetMGM and Borgata.

Pennsylvania’s limited selection of games, such as No-Limit Hold’em and Omaha variations, pales in comparison to the diverse range offered on international sites. However, during special tournament series, players in Pennsylvania may have the opportunity to play additional games like STUD or mixed games. Once Pennsylvania joins player pools with other states, the availability of draw and mixed games may also increase.

Real Money Poker vs Free Online Poker

If you’ve only played poker on free apps, it’s important to learn strategy before moving on to real money games. The competition gets tougher when there’s something to win or lose.

Pennsylvania’s online poker rooms offer play-money only tables where you can learn different poker games and betting rounds. PokerStars has a Home Games feature that lets you create private tables for your friends, even those outside of Pennsylvania, as long as play money is used.

Certain websites offer the opportunity to participate in real money poker games without requiring an initial deposit. For instance, Party Poker provides $10 in cash and $15 in tournament entry tokens as a welcome bonus. Additionally, PokerStars rewards players with tokens valued at $100 after playing a single cash hand.

To start off successfully at real money poker tables, it is advised to begin at lower buy-in levels than live games. This way, you can assess your opponents’ abilities and make sure you can win before moving up to higher stakes.

Pennsylvania online poker: Bonuses and promotions

Pennsylvania’s online poker sites with the most players will hold a strong advantage over their competitors. PokerStars took an early lead by being the first to launch in the market and exceeded expectations by bringing in almost $2 million in revenue from rake and tournament fees in its first month.

The increasing player pools, expanded tournaments, enhanced promotions, and diverse cash game options have attracted a larger player base. Currently, PokerStars PA offers two welcome bonus choices: either play 1 cash hand or bet $1 on casino games to receive $100 in bonus play, or get a 100% bonus match up to $600 with the bonus code STARS600.

With the growth of the online poker industry in Pennsylvania, platforms are fiercely competing to draw in new players. Take advantage of this by boosting your bankroll with the generous marketing budgets and attractive bonus offers from these sites.

This is a sample of what Pennsylvania players can uncover:

  • Some poker sites offer no-deposit bonuses, giving players free chips without the need for an initial deposit. These bonuses can be used for buy-ins to tournaments or cash games, but players must meet a wagering requirement before being able to withdraw the funds.
  • Upon registration, you may be eligible to receive a welcome bonus that matches 100% or more of your initial deposit. Certain platforms may even provide up to $1,000 in bonus funds as part of this offer. The bonus amount is usually distributed incrementally as you engage in ongoing gameplay.
  • Beginner or depositor freerolls are available for new players to compete in, offering real cash prizes. Players can also earn extra entries by participating in loyalty programs or making additional deposits.
  • Reload bonuses are commonly provided when your funds are running low, giving you an extra bonus to reload. It should be noted that these bonuses are generally smaller in comparison to the initial deposit bonus.
  • Every poker site offers a loyalty program that is specific to their platform. For example, PokerStars PA rewards players with treasure chests that contain personalized rewards tailored to their gaming habits.

Various types of gambling industries may offer joint promotions based on the specific brand.

Pennsylvania boasts a robust gambling scene, with a strong presence of sports betting and casino games. Multiple poker license holders offer a wide range of gambling options, including access to popular platforms like PokerStars, Stars Casino PA, and FOX Bet online sportsbook. Players can conveniently switch between different gambling platforms on the poker client, app, or desktop site.

Depositing and withdrawing at PA online poker rooms

Because poker requires skill, players are more inclined to make frequent withdrawals compared to other types of gambling. There are a variety of options for depositing funds and cashing out winnings.

Most poker sites in PA accept a wide range of deposit methods, with many offering all options.

  • You have the option to make quick payments with your standard Visa and MasterCard bank cards on all websites. Additionally, some websites allow deposits with Discover cards.
  • Prepaid Play+ cards provide a safe method for players to cash out their winnings from online gambling websites. These specialized debit cards offer enhanced security features and can be used to withdraw funds from ATMs as well.
  • You can deposit and withdraw funds at the casino cage for the poker room brands’ affiliated casinos.
  • PayNearMe provides an alternative cash deposit option through 7-Eleven or CVS stores, but it’s important to note that the fixed costs of this method could be high for smaller deposits.
  • PayPal is a popular online wallet system that provides a secure connection between your bank account and online stores. Although it is frequently utilized for transactions, many online poker sites in Pennsylvania do not offer it due to high fees and tax rates. Consequently, PayPal may not be as prevalent of a choice compared to other payment methods.
  • Neteller and Skrill, both under the same ownership, are e-wallet services that function in a manner similar to PayPal. These platforms have long been popular among poker players globally. Nonetheless, like PayPal, they may have restrictions on their usage on some websites due to their high fees.
  • eChecks, also known as ACH transfers, enable you to deposit funds directly from your bank account to play poker. By becoming pre-verified, you can quickly make deposits and withdrawals using this convenient method.
  • If you currently utilize a big bank for bill payments, you can also use it to deposit funds into your poker account. Please keep in mind that this method is not applicable for withdrawals.
  • Bank wire transfers are a safe way to transfer significant sums of money, although they may have a longer processing time compared to other transfer methods.
  • Many websites still accept paper checks or money orders as a slower banking method. If online options are not available, you can request a paper check to withdraw your earnings.

Live poker rooms in Pennsylvania

There are currently nine live poker rooms open for business in Pennsylvania.

  • Rivers Casino in Philadelphia boasts a round-the-clock poker room with 28 tables, offering high hand promotions and a bad beat jackpot. Players can also partake in weekly and monthly tournaments with substantial prize pool guarantees.
  • Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh boasts a 30-table poker room that covers more than 8,000 square feet. Players can enjoy thrilling cash games with hourly high-hand bonuses, as well as participate in weekly larger buy-in tournament events.
  • Mohegan Sun Pocono’s poker room, located near Wilkes-Barre, boasts 18 tables for players to enjoy. Daily tournaments include bounty events, and cash games provide opportunities to win bad beat and royal flush jackpots.
  • Hollywood Casino at the Meadows, situated in Strabane Township just 25 miles southwest of Pittsburgh, boasts 14 poker tables on the main casino floor. Players can enjoy their game with a view of live racing in the background.
  • The small poker room at Mount Airy Casino in northwestern Pennsylvania is a charming live poker space featuring nine tables exclusively for Texas Hold’em.
  • One of the largest poker rooms in the area can be found at Parx Casino, featuring 48 tables and a separate three-table high-limit poker room. Located in Bensalem, just northeast of Philadelphia, Parx frequently hosts high-stakes tournament events alongside their regular cash games and tournaments.
  • Visit Live! Philadelphia Casino and immerse yourself in the thrill of our luxurious 29-table poker room. Participate in our daily and monthly tournaments, take advantage of our high hand promotions, and engage in no-limit hold’em and Omaha cash games. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to join in on our mixed games for a truly unforgettable experience.
  • In late 2021, the Pittsburgh Casino introduced Live!, a 7-table poker room that now offers weekly and monthly deepstack tournaments along with high hand bonus promotions. The poker room is open around the clock.
  • Indulge in unparalleled luxury and convenience at Wind Creek Casino’s brand new 20-table live poker room, situated just a stone’s throw away from Bethlehem, PA. Treat yourself to complimentary drinks, relaxing table-side massages, a dedicated cashier for quick transactions, and a revamped lounge area for players in between games. With cutting-edge amenities and top-notch service, this premier poker room is guaranteed to exceed the expectations of even the most discerning players.
  • The poker rooms at Harrah’s Philadelphia, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Racecourse, and Presque Isle Downs are not open for business at the moment.

Pennsylvania online poker FAQ

 

The legalization of online poker in 2017 was included in the gambling expansion act, with websites being licensed through established brick-and-mortar casinos and regulated by the Pennsylvania Gambling Control Board.

 

In order to participate in online poker in Pennsylvania, individuals must be at least 21 years of age, physically present within state boundaries, and not required to be a permanent resident of Pennsylvania.

 

That’s right. PokerStars PA was the first online poker site to launch in Pennsylvania, giving players over the age of 21 located within the state the opportunity to play.

 

Pennsylvania poker rooms currently only allow players within the state to participate in games. This ensures that all opponents are located within state boundaries. There is potential for Pennsylvania to form an interstate compact with states like New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware, which would open up the player pool to a wider audience in the future.

 

The use of geolocation technology limits gameplay to players located within state borders. If any attempt to mask your location, such as using a VPN, is detected, you will not be able to participate in the game. Violations of this rule may lead to the confiscation of funds and a permanent ban on your account.

 

Most poker sites offer a variety of games including cash games, tournaments, and Sit & Gos. Some sites even have fast-fold poker and mixed games alongside the traditional Texas Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha formats for added variety.

 

All websites are required to demonstrate the trustworthiness of their random number generator (RNG) software, which controls the card shuffling process. Despite speculation, there is no evidence to support claims that deals on reputable sites are tampered with. These sites are overseen by the PGCB and undergo rigorous testing to ensure fairness.