Pennsylvania is reportedly on the brink of becoming the fourth US state to have legal online poker when PokerStars launches on Monday, November 4. PlayPennsylvania uncovered the story following a Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board hearing.
It’s been a long time coming for residents of the Keystone State. Online gambling was legalized a year ago after many years of failed legislation. But despite internet casinos popping up in recent months in PA, poker sites haven’t yet launched. That’s been frustrating to the local poker community that has waited patiently for far too long.
When PokerStars launches on Monday, Pennsylvania will become the fourth state with a legal poker site. New Jersey, Delaware, and Nevada already have licensed poker site(s) in operation. So, while 46 states still haven’t legalized online gambling, this is at least a step in the right direction.
PokerStars is Ready to Roll
Online poker was originally expected to launch in Pennsylvania in mid-July, right around the start of the WSOP Main Event. Things don’t always go as planned, however. Fast forward more than three months later and residents of the Keystone State are still waiting. But that wait is, apparently, about to come to an end. Hallelujah.
On Monday, PokerStars will have a soft launch in Pennsylvania. Douglas Harbach, a spokesperson for the PGCB, told PlayPennsylvania of the planned launch.
“We have staff prepared to initiate and oversee a test launch this Monday of another online casino gaming site, this one licensed under Mount Airy Casino and their suite of casino-type games,” he said. “At this juncture, it would include the testing of a poker game. The caveat is always that if issues come up, then the beginning of the testing could slide.”
Harbach didn’t specifically mention PokerStars but it should be assumed. Mount Airy Casino has a licensing affiliation in Pennsylvania with the world’s largest online poker site. So, you can put two and two together.
PokerStars won’t be the only permanent poker site in the Keystone State, however. WSOP.com and Partypoker are both expected to launch eventually, although no timetable has been set.
