Caesars becomes first operator to pool poker liquidity across three US states
Michigan combined with Nevada and New Jersey as WSOP product undergoes a rebrand and mobile-first functionality overhaul
Caesars Digital-owned WSOP has linked up player pools in Michigan with Nevada and New Jersey as one network, becoming the first legal poker operator to combine three US jurisdictions.
WSOP’s players in Nevada and New Jersey had already been part of the network, but by adding its separate Michigan site to the mix, the operator now serves three states with a combined population of more than 22 million.
The inclusion of Michigan to the network comes two years after the state signed up to the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, a compact to share liquidity first initiated between Nevada and Delaware in 2013.
PokerStars capitalized on Michigan’s inclusion by joining its player pools across Michigan and New Jersey in January 2023, yet Caesars is the first operator to include three states in its network.
As part of the announcement, Caesars unveiled a rebrand for WSOP.com to WSOP Online and upgraded functionality including the ability to play four tables at once on mobile for the first time.
Customers can also play the variant Omaha, multi-flight re-entry tournaments, and the popular Mystery Bounty format that has become ubiquitous at live poker events.
Caesars noted players in New Jersey and Nevada will now be able to create an account on the new platform, with existing balances, tournament tickets, and rewards points set to be transferred over.
“This platform upgrade is long overdue and is a big win for our players,” said Danielle Barille, vice-president of online poker at Caesars Digital.
“The best is yet to come for WSOP Online tournaments, and we’re thrilled to bring Michigan players into the fold with Nevada and New Jersey, resulting in a better experience, more value, and the biggest prize pools of the year.”
The rollout comes just as the 55th edition of the World Series of Poker kicks off in Las Vegas, with online satellites as low as $1 running on WSOP Online to qualify for bracelet events.
As things stand, online poker is legal in eight US states, however no products are available in Rhode Island, which is an igaming monopoly run by Bally’s, nor in Connecticut, Delaware, or West Virginia. All four are lottery-run igaming states.
888 operated poker in Delaware for a decade until Rush Street Interactive (RSI) secured the contract last year by default when 888, which is pulling its B2C operations from the US, withdrew its bid last year.
While no poker is available in Delaware, RSI plans to launch the vertical at some point in the US after acquiring Malta-based challenger Run It Once Poker for almost $6m in 2022.
PokerStars, BetMGM, Borgata Online, and WSOP all operate in Pennsylvania, although it’s not clear when the Keystone State, which is home to 13 million people, will join the multi-jurisdictional poker compact.