Pennsylvania begins talks to join Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement
Keystone State Governor Josh Shapiro expresses support to join compact that allows poker players to compete across state lines with pooled liquidity
Governor Josh Shapiro has backed Pennsylvania joining the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), according to the Keystone State’s gaming regulator.
As per Play Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) executive director Kevin O’Toole confirmed the process has begun, after receiving a letter from Shapiro.
Legislation that would allow Pennsylvania to join the MSIGA was first introduced in March by state representative George Dunbar in the shape of House Bill 2078.
Should the state join the MSIGA, it would be the sixth to do so alongside Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, and West Virginia, that signed up last November.
Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey were the first states to join the compact.
Once a part of MSIGA, poker players in Pennsylvania will be able to compete against players in other states that have signed up to the MSIGA.
Pennsylvania is currently the only active regulated online poker state that is not part of the MSIGA.
In his letter, Shapiro argued: “In order to remain competitive in the gambling sector, I am expressing my strong support for Pennsylvania to join the MSIGA alongside Michigan, Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, and West Virginia.
“Pennsylvania should capitalize on our status as a leader in legalized gambling and join this compact, which would bring in additional revenue for the Commonwealth and allow players more gaming options.
“I respectfully request the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board through its statutory authority pursuant to section 1207 Title 4 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, begin the process of negotiating the Commonwealth’s entrance into the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement.”
MSIGA is managed by the Multi-State Internet Gaming Association, based out of Delaware.
In other poker news, DraftKings has brought its Electric Poker product to Pennsylvania two months after debuting in Michigan.
The Boston-based operator will offer three-person Sit and Go games within its DraftKings Casino app.
Jason March, DraftKings VP of igaming marketing and operations, said: “Electric Poker is one of many innovative games on DraftKings Casino, which houses exclusive products that players can’t get anywhere else.
“After positive feedback from our players in Michigan, we are thrilled to expand our Electric Poker offerings to our customers in Pennsylvania, delivering them a best-in-class online poker experience.”