When it comes to playing online poker with real money, there are plenty of great sites that Pennsylvanian players can access. Offering up a safe, secure and fun gaming experience, these online poker rooms have been licensed by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to keep you in good hands while you enjoy thrilling poker games.

Best online poker sites in 2020: all the top websites to play online poker in 2019, ranked from the most beginner-friendly to the hardest ones. This article was originally published on Feb. PA Online Poker Room Advantages. Despite the fact that online poker accounts for less than online slots and table games of New Jersey’s total online gambling revenue, online poker rooms in Pennsylvania will have a distinct advantage because of the far lower tax rate of 16%.

The legal online poker market in Pennsylvania is one of the largest in the United States. And that’s despite the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board blocking PA online poker operators from accepting players from out of state.

The states of Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey allow player pools, also referred to as liquidity-sharing. That means players in all three states can play online poker against each other. Pennsylvania is currently not among them.

However, the state of PA has as many residents as NV, DE, and NJ combined. So the ring-fenced local market still has a comparable number of potential players. Even with these restrictions, the PA online poker industry is promising and will offer a lot for players in the state.

PA Online Poker Sites 2020

PokerStars Pennsylvania

PokerStars (in partnership with Mount Airy Casino Resort of the Poconos) is the only legally licensed, live online poker site in PA.

PokerStars PA is a download-only online poker room available on Apple and Windows computers as well as Android and iOS devices.

This brand launched in November 2019. It remains the only option for online poker players in the state for the better part of 2020 and beyond.

What Other Legal Online Poker Sites Are Coming To Pennsylvania?

The only two online poker platforms that will go live in Pennsylvania are WSOP in partnership with 888 and Partypoker, which is currently live in New Jersey. While there is no definitive timeline on when these will go live, we’ve listed our best guess on launch below.

WSOP PA

Even people who have never played poker know about the WSOP, or the World Series of Poker. WSOP.com is currently live in Delaware, Nevada, and New Jersey. They also have a partnership with Harrah’s Philadelphia.

Further, the 888 platform, which will launch WSOP PA, is ready for launch. All they’re waiting on is approval from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

PartyPoker PA

PartyPoker’s parent company, GVC Holdings, signed a 50/50 joint venture with MGM to release a wide range of gambling products. A PartyPoker PA release in partnership with Valley Forge Casino Resort is one of them.

While the timeline on their release is even more uncertain than WSOP, it’s a near-certainty that PartyPoker PA will be released sometime before the end of 2021.

What Online Poker Bonuses Are Available In Pennsylvania?

The PokerStars PA online casino is the only legal online poker site currently live in Pennsylvania. And despite the lack of competition, PokerStars PA, in partnership with Mt Airy Casino, offers some enticing bonuses.

Deposit-Match Bonus

The deposit-match bonus will get you the most free money in the long-term.

At PokerStars Pennsylvania, you can claim a 100% deposit bonus up to $600. You have three deposits over 60 days to take advantage of the full amount.

The free money is credited in increments $10, or 140 redemption points. Every $1 you pay in either tournament fees or rake (AKA the platform’s commission fees) earns 5 redemption points.

PokerStars PA limits new players to either the Deposit-Match Bonus or the Free Play Bonus. You cannot take advantage of both.

Free Play Bonus

Rather than wait for your rewards, you can receive $30 upfront with a first deposit of at least $20.

Within 36 hours of your deposit, you’ll receive $10 in free money. Within seven days, you’ll receive another $10. And the rest of the money is credited through tournament tickets (three $1, one $2, and one $5 buy-ins).

This deposit also counts toward the Depositor Freeroll tournament, which takes place on the last Sunday of each month.

Freeroll Tournaments

Freeroll tournaments allow players to compete for real-money prizes without buying a ticket.

On the last Sunday of every month, PokerStars PA will host a variety of freeroll tournaments for members.

They will likely offer more once other online poker sites launch in PA. More competition always means more promotions, including freeroll tourneys.

Rewards Program

The Stars Rewards points don’t just unlock the deposit-match bonus. All players earn them as they play for real money. You can cash in earned points for rewards chests that unlock personalized prizes, such as bonus cash or prize entries.

Does Pennsylvania Share Online Poker Player Pools With Any Other States?

No. And the lack of shared-liquidity is the biggest downside to the Pennsylvania online poker market.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) requires localized servers for igaming operators in the state. That is specifically to prevent any chance of interstate online gambling of any kind. But that also means the online poker market will, for the foreseeable future, be much slower to grow than PA sports betting and online casino sites.

As mentioned above, the state of Pennsylvania has as many residents than Delaware, New Jersey, and Nevada combined, which do share a player pool. However, that also means PA joining the other three states would double both markets. The more players, the larger the tournaments and variety of challengers. Learn more about NJ online poker and how player pools work.

This also may affect the ability of Pennsylvania players to qualify for the World Series of Poker online. Of course, the brick-and-mortar casinos will offer satellite tournaments. And if WSOP PA launches as soon as expected, you’ll be able to qualify through that site.

Both players and online poker operators are wholly at the mercy of the PGCB. So, until new develops arise, only time will tell.

Do Pennsylvania’s Online Poker Sites Offer Mobile Apps?

Yes. The only way to play on the PokerStars PA platform is by downloading it. That applies to the desktop version as well as mobile. That means everything expressed in this overview of PA online poker applies to mobile apps.

To find the PokerStars PA app for Android, you need to visit pokerstarsmtairycasino.com/mobile and download it directly. You cannot find it in the Google Play Store, which blocks gambling apps.

You can find the iOS PokerStars PA app the same way. Or you can search for it directly in the Apple App Store, which does not block gambling apps.

If you do search for it in the App Store, be sure you’re downloading the PA version. In the icon, it will have the word “Pennsylvania” beneath the red spade logo. Look for the exact name: “PokerStars Poker Real Money PA.”

The size of the PokerStars mobile app is 105.7 MB. At the time of writing this review, the average rating in the App Store was 4.6 stars out of over 7,200 ratings. If this were a sportsbook or casino app, it’d be one of the top-rated options in the state.

The PokerStars PA app is optimized for phones, tablets, and desktop screens.

There is no notable difference between the PokerStars PA desktop app and its mobile app. Likely, this will come down to the performance of the device. The only difference is the screen size.

Pennsylvania Online Poker FAQ

You need to be 21 or older to enter a land-based casino or sportsbook in PA. The same is true for the legal online casino, sportsbook, and poker rooms. You also need to be physically located in the state. You do not need to be a legal PA resident.

No. DraftKings does not currently offer online poker in Pennsylvania. And it probably never will. However, DraftKings PA has one of the highest-quality sportsbooks and online casinos in the state. On the online casino site, you can play both digital and live dealer casino poker. They also have a nice selection of video poker games.

Yes. PokerStars Mount Airy Casino is the only legal and live online poker site in Pennsylvania.

PokerStars PA is download-only, meaning you can’t play poker in PA through a web browser. However, it is available on both desktop and mobile devices.

New members can take advantage of lucrative welcome offers. Established members can cash in rewards points for bonus cash.

Your PokerStars PA account will also give you access to the PokerStars Casino as well as the FOX Bet sportsbook.

Online Poker Sites In Pa

All legal online poker sites in Pennsylvania will have easy and common payment methods for deposits. These include:

• E-wallets like Skrill and PayPal.
• Credit and debit cards like Visa and MasterCard.
• Pay-in-Person Locations like PayNearMe and Vanilla Direct.
• Direct bank transfer
• Instant eChecks

These are the same deposit methods as PokerStars PA companion products: the PokerStars Casino and the FOX Bet sportsbook. As such, you can use your deposited funds at PokerStars for casino games and sports betting too.

While all withdrawal methods are available for deposit, not all deposit methods are available for withdrawal. These are the cashout options currently available at PokerStars PA:

• Skrill (e-wallet)
• PayPal (e-wallet)
• Instant eChecks

Those withdrawal options also apply to the PokerStars Casino and FOX Bet sportsbook. You can not currently withdraw in cash at the Mount Airy Casino cage. However, that may change.

In Pennsylvania, poker players have the pleasure of experiencing thrilling cash games and tournaments online. You don’t have to leave the comfort of your own home to experience all of the excitement of playing poker, and online gaming offers up the additional benefit of allowing you to claim generous bonuses that you would never find in land-based venues.

There are a number of Pennsylvania online poker sites available to players, but some definitely stand out from the bunch. The top PA online poker rooms not only provide you with a great selection of games and quality software but also offer up bonuses that build your bankroll, fun tournaments and excellent customer service.

An Easy Way to Play Poker in USD

Before online poker in PA became legalized and regulated, local players would have to play at offshore websites. While they offer up many of the same game variants, tournaments and bonuses, it is sometimes difficult for American players to deposit and withdraw cash using USD.

At the top Pennsylvania poker sites, players are able to deposit in their home currency without having to worry about exchange rate or dealing with sketchy banking methods. Not only that, you have the ability to deposit using widely-accepted banking methods like credit cards, debit cards and bank transfers as well as reputable e-wallets like Neteller and Skrill.

The best Pennsylvania online poker rooms offer you instant deposits, so you can get playing in exciting cash games and tournaments right away. There are usually no fees required when making deposits, and the top poker rooms often offer reload bonuses when you fund your account. Preferred deposit bonuses are also available, allowing you to claim a 10% or 20% match when you fund your account with Neteller or Skrill.

When it comes to making withdrawals, using checks or bank transfers may incur a fee. The top poker sites will endeavor to pay out your withdrawal within a reasonable time frame. While it sometimes takes up to 5 days for you to see your money in your bank account, many sites aim to process them within 24 hours.

Big Bonuses and Pretty Perks

At the top Pennsylvania online poker destinations, you’ll encounter plenty of opportunities to claim bonuses. These are provided in various ways, including:

• No Deposit Bonus: This bonus is provided to players after signing up and verifying their account. While no deposit is required, the amount of money offered is quite small – usually only $5 or $10.
• Welcome Bonus: The operator will provide you with a match percentage on your first deposit, usually about 100% but there are some instances where you’ll receive a 200% match on your deposit.
• Reload Bonuses: Reload bonuses are offered to existing players, providing them with a 25% to 50% match on bonuses certain days of the week or to honor certain special events.

Become a VIP

Any online poker site in PA worth its weight will provide players with the chance to join a lucrative VIP program or loyalty scheme. You’ll be able to earn points whenever you play at the site, and these points can be redeemed for cash bonuses and tournament tickets.

The best loyalty programs will also have different tier levels for you to climb. As you move up the ranks, you’ll be able to receive a better redemption rate on your points and even gain access to exclusive tournaments and promos.

Software

Online poker software comes in all shapes and sizes. Every big-name poker operator uses a different type of software with different capabilities, speeds and games. So, you’ll have to be pretty discerning if you want to play at an online poker site with quality software that appeals to your gaming tastes.

You can only really get to know a site’s online poker software by signing up and giving it a spin. All of the best Pennsylvania online poker rooms offer free-play versions of their games so you have a great opportunity to test it out and see if you get along with their software.

Online Poker Sites For Us Players

Downloadable Vs Instant Play

There are two main types of online poker software – downloadable suites and web-based casinos. While the in-game software is pretty similar, the game selection does differ, so the casino that you choose to register with will certainly be impacted by whether you want to play from your desktop or your mobile device.

Desktop poker software is a downloadable suite that must be installed on your computer. The file sizes are usually no bigger than 50mb and don’t take very long to download. They provide access to the full collection of cash games and tournaments that the operator has to offer, and you can multi-table across a number of screens. If you’re a serious poker player, this is usually the option that you should go for.

If you prefer to play poker while on the go, then your best bet is signing up to a PA online poker site that has an instant-play suite. This software loads directly in your web browser, which means that you don’t have to download any software.

You’re able to play from any mobile device that you have, but your gaming options will be limited. At poker rooms with instant-play capability, you might not find as many cash games and tournaments available. In cash games, you don’t get to choose where you sit; you’re simply sat at the next available seat. There also isn’t the opportunity for you to multi-table, so this option is better suited to casual players who don’t require full access to the operator’s poker activities.

Traffic Matters

You should have access to plenty of competition when playing poker online. After all, what’s the point in playing if there’s no one online to play with? By taking a quick look at the cash game and tournament lobbies, you can find out if the site is busy enough to cater to your online poker needs and offer you the kind of gaming experience that you’re after.

What Poker Games Do You Want to Play?

When choosing the best poker site for your interests, it’s important that the site you sign up with provides you with enough gaming options to keep you interested. If you want to play Texas Hold’em, you shouldn’t have much of a problem but if you’re looking for something a little bit more niche, then you’ll have to look a little deeper.

Omaha games are generally easy to find at Pennsylvania online poker sites, but you may struggle if you’re looking for fast-fold variants, Razz and stud games. To find out which sites offer these options, it just takes a quick look at the game lobby filters to determine whether or not there are plenty of poker variants on offer.

Tournament Options

Playing online poker tournaments is a great way for you to earn significant prizes, and the top PA poker sites will provide you with plenty of opportunities to do so. You’ll be able to find a wide range of formats, speeds and variants, allowing you to mix it up a little bit.

• Turbo, Hyper and Hyper-Turbo tournaments: In standard poker tournaments, the blinds only increase every 15 or 25 minutes but in these speedier versions, blinds can increase as quickly as every 5 minutes.
• Bounty Tournaments: Every player has a bounty on their head. When you eliminate a player, you’ll receive their bounty and your bounty increases.
• Satellite Tournaments: Rather than winning a cash prize, you’ll receive entry into a tournament with a much more expensive buy-in and more generous prize pool.
• Freerolls: These are tournaments where you don’t have to spend any money on any entry fee, but the prizes are generally much smaller than they are in standard competitions.
• Rebuy Tournaments: In most tournaments, you’re finished once you lose all of your chips but re-buys allow you to spend a little money to get back in the game after you’ve been eliminated.
• Sit n Gos: Tournaments that begin when a certain number of players join the competition. These usually have quite a low number of runners and relatively small prize pools
• Heads Up Tournaments: In these competitions, you’re only playing at a table with one other player at a time, rather than playing 9-handed or 6-handed.

Legal Online Poker Sites In Pa

Another benefit of playing online poker in PA is that the state is part of the Interstate Poker Pact. This combines the Pennsylvania player pools with those in Delaware, New Jersey and Nevada – so, you have more competition and access to larger tournament prize pools.

Sign up to a Pennsylvania online poker site to experience all of the action of land-based poker without leaving your home. The top sites offer up a great opportunity to win cash prizes and build on your skills – in a safe and secure environment with reliable software and generous bonuses on offer.