Best Poker Sites in Pennsylvania: Play Online Poker in PA

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Feb 06, 2023 23 min read Last updated Nov 01, 2024

PA players can legally play real money poker in Pennsylvania, so we've come up with a list of the very best online poker sites in Pennsylvania. Access real poker sites and play different games with poker players within the state.

Whether you're looking to play poker freerolls, looking for the best poker bonuses, or want to quickly hop into a cash game or an online poker tournament, this guide from the experts at PokerNews will tell you everything you need to know about online poker in PA, starting with these top sites to play.

#1 - PokerStars PA

#2 - BetMGM Poker PA

#3 - Borgata Poker PA

#4 -WSOP PA

The team of poker experts at PokerNews have reviewed every legal online poker site in PA, and will tell you all about them on this page. Read on to learn:

How to Play Online Poker in PA

Licensed poker sites in Pennsylvania make it very easy for new players to sign up and join the online poker action in Pennsylvania. You can get started by following these five simple steps.

1. Read the PokerNews poker room reviews and decide which PA poker room you like
2. Visit the site, find the sign-up link or button & click on it
3. Fill in the required account and personal details
4. Verify your email address via the link sent to you
5. Login to your newly created account to make a deposit - make sure you don't forget to claim your welcome bonus

Pennsylvania Online Tournament Calendar

As PokerNews is the premier destination for everything poker-related in the Keystone State, we're excited to introduce our latest addition: the Online Poker Calendar Widget.

Designed with the needs of Pennsylvania's poker community in mind, this dynamic widget provides players with up-to-date information on the latest tournaments for you to play. Why not check it out below?

Best PA Online Poker Sites

PokerStars PA is arguably the best of the online poker sites to offer real money games in Pennsylvania. PokerStars PA became the first online poker provider in the state on November 4, 2019. That day, industry leader PokerStars celebrated the first-ever "shuffle up and deal of their PA-focused poker site.

In the following years, other regulated sites emerged, including partypoker-operated BetMGM Poker PA and Borgata Poker PA.

The opening of more PA online poker sites like BetMGM Poker PA and Borgata Poker PA represents a great opportunity for all PA poker players.

More competition between online poker rooms like these three will result in great online events, synergies between online and offline operations and (why not) all great PA poker bonuses.

PokerStars Pennsylvania

PokerStars was the first online poker site to launch in Pennsylvania and it is still going strong with plenty of cash game and tournament action. As one of the top legal online poker sites in the world, this is where your poker bankroll is safe and secure.

This is a great PA poker site to play free games to win real money (freeroll tournaments), play all the most popular poker variants, and experience international hits like PokerStars' Spin and Go tournaments.

PokerStars PA Key Features

• An excellent bonus package with tickets to play Spin and Go tournaments
• A bonus match bonus on your first deposit
• The best customer support service in the industry
• Unlimited access to the only online legal poker games in PA

If you need to know how to register for PokerStars PA, we've got you covered! Watch the video below, and we'll explain how you can jump into the action on one of the best online poker sites in the world in less than two minutes.

PokerStars PA has seen well over 600 players activate an account during the first night of action alone — with that number growing ever since.

The games on PokerStars PA are ring-fenced. Pennsylvania gambling laws do not allow the PA online poker sites to share liquidity (and player pool) with any of the poker sites in New Jersey, Delaware, Nevada and Michigan.

However, with Michigan joining the interstate compact earlier this year, it wouldn't be surprising to see Pennsylvania or other states follow suit.

PokerStars' PA online poker site is operated in cooperation with the Mount Airy Casino Resort, the brand's partner in the State.

Online Poker Games and Tournaments on PokerStars PA

As the first poker operator to launch in the state, PokerStars PA is hands down one of the best sites to offer online poker. In this online poker room, you'll find many of the best online games right at your fingertips.

The PokerStars PA poker client features an extensive offer of both cash games and poker tournaments, so whatever your preference, it shouldn't be hard to find a game that suits you.

Cash Games on PokerStars PA

If you're looking to hop in an online cash game, look no further than PokerStars PA (and if you need a refresher on poker rules, we've got you covered!)

The ring action reaches its peak in the evening when PokerStars PA continues to register the highest number of active players at its tables.

The cash games feature stakes that start at $0.01/$0.02 and go all the way up to $25/$50. While not every PA poker player may be able to afford the $25/$50 tables, you get a lot of action when you join the $1/$2 NLH games.

The majority of players on PokerStars PA are on the site to play no-limit hold'em games. However, this poker site also features a great range of other options, including:

• Limit Hold'em
• Omaha
• Seven-Card Stud
• H.O.R.S.E
• Razz
• 2-7 Triple Draw

Online Poker Tournaments on PokerStars PA

As a tournament player, you are going to love the offering and the tournament calendar that PokerStars has planned to become the top online poker site in Pennsylvania. The offering of no-limit hold'em is excellent, and so are some of the guaranteed prizes available every day.

Some of the top daily events run by PokerStars in Pennsylvania include tournaments like the Hot Turbos, the KO Fever, the Moonlight Express, and the Nightly Stars.

You can also enjoy some Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, and Stud poker action with the Change Up daily events.

But the daily guaranteed multi-table online poker tournaments are events where everyone end up, sooner or later.

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The Sunday Majors on PokerStars PA

Now that online poker is legal in PA you can join your share of weekend actions with PokerStars' legendary Sunday poker tournaments.

The Sunday Majors are the best poker tournaments in PA. There you find the most exciting action and, of course, the best real money prizes.

The Sunday action at PokerStars PA begins with the $8,500 GTD Sunday Warm-Up, a $50 buy-in event starting at 4 p.m., and leads to the $500 buy-in Sunday Special, the marquee event of the day where the players compete for a guarantee of $15,000.

PA Online Poker Tournament Series

PokerStars brings to Pennsylvania poker players also some of their most successful annual online tournament series.

This is the site where you find massive multiplayer events like the Pennsylvania Spring Championship of Online Poker (PASCOOP), the Pennsylvania Championship of Online Poker (PACOOP), and the Summer Series.

Keep visiting PokerNews.com to know more about these events and their online qualifiers as the respective schedules are released. Simply put, when it comes to poker sites in PA with some of the best online poker apps, PokerStars PA is where it's at!

BetMGM Poker Pennsylvania

Another great option for online poker in Pennsylvania is BetMGM Poker PA, which launched rather recently in April 2021. When it comes to PA online poker games, such as thrilling Texas No-Limit Hold'em tournaments and juicy Omaha cash games, BetMGM is one of the best online casinos to scratch your poker urge.

BetMGM Poker, which the partypoker US Network powers, also operates in New Jersey and Michigan, though the three markets are all ring-fenced and therefore, players can only compete against players in the state where they are physically located.

In early 2022, BetMGM hosted a March Poker Mania series that featured a variety of tournaments at different buy-in levels, including PKO bounty tournaments.

Pittsburgh native Matt Berkey, who was an ambassador for the series, ended up taking down the BetMGM Pennsylvania March Poker Mania $1,060 Main Event to pocket $31,250, finishing in front of fellow Pennsylvania grinders Edward "Hisoka" Leonard ($17,500) and "MrSchneebly" ($12,750).

BetMGM Poker Key Features

• Desktop and mobile app available
• Can earn MGM Rewards Tier credits
• 24/7 Customer Service

Online Cash Games on BetMGM Poker PA

If you’re looking to hop in a low to mid-stakes online cash game, look no further than BetMGM Poker Pennsylvania. It's perhaps the best online poker site when it comes to cash games among all Pennsylvania online poker operators.

A quick glance at the lobby shows over a dozen tables running consistently at various stakes in both six-max and eight-max formats.

The lowest stakes you can play online cash games on BetMGM Poker Pennsylvania are $0.01/$0.02, which allows for a minimum buy-in of $0.60 and a maximum buy-in of $2. The highest stakes, meanwhile, run at $25/$50 and allow for a minimum buy-in of $1,500 and a maximum buy-in of $5,000.

Most of the cash games offered by BetMGM Poker Pennsylvania are NLH, though there is also fixed-limit Hold’em and pot-limit Omaha action available.

If you’re on a time crunch but want to play some quick hands, look no further than BetMGM Poker PA’s “fastforward” games, which move you to a new cash game table every time you fold. These games are less popular, though, so it could be challenging to find a table running.

Online Tournaments to Play on BetMGM Poker PA

If cash game action isn’t your thing, BetMGM Poker PA has you covered with plenty of poker tournament action, including sit & go’s and multi-table tournaments.

One tournament highlight is a daily $109 buy-in event with a $10,000 guarantee, which allows for unlimited re-entry and guarantees a minimum of 14 players to get paid every day. Another notable poker tournament offering from BetMGM Poker PA is a weekly Sunday event with a $215 buy-in and $30,000 guarantee.

If bounty events are more your thing, look no further than the weekly Thursday progressive bounty tournament that costs $320 to enter. For every player you eliminate, half of their bounty goes to you, and the other half gets added to your bounty.

BetMGM Poker PA also offers “SPINS Tournaments,” which play three-handed and have prizes ranging from 2x to 1,200x a player’s buy-in based on a multiplier. The buy-ins offered for these events range from $1 to $25 and the final prize pool is revealed when all players are seated.

Top Deposit Bonuses and Promotions on BetMGM Poker PA

Another great benefit of playing online poker on BetMGM Poker PA is that there are bonuses and promotions available for both new and returning players. If you're looking for a unique PA poker sites offer, keep reading.

New players will be welcomed to the online poker site with a 100% matching bonus of up to $1,000, allowing players to double their investment simply by signing up. Additionally, new players will be awarded up to $75 in free tournament tickets, depending on the size of the deposit.

Players can also get value by racking up BetMGM Rewards Points (BRPs) to earn up to $6,500. BRPs can be converted into MGM Rewards Points and are redeemable for complimentary hotel stays, entertainment and food and beverage.

Like other benefit programs, the BETMGM Rewards program is tiered as players move up the ranks from Sapphire (0-19,999 credits) to Platinum (200,000+ tier credits).

Borgata Poker Pennsylvania

An additional regulated online poker option in Pennsylvania is Borgata Poker PA, which, like BetMGM Poker PA, is operated by the partypoker US Network and runs on the same software. Borgata Poker also functions in New Jersey, with player pools in both states being ring-fenced.

Though it is owned by the same company and uses the same software, Borgata Poker PA still offers players a great experience and is undoubtedly an online poker site worth checking out.

Playing on Borgata Poker PA, players will find plenty of cash game action at various stakes, tournaments in a variety of formats, and bonuses to incentivize putting in volume.

Borgata Poker PA Key Features

• Outstanding mobile app
• Easy to use on a desktop or laptop
• Can earn MGM Rewards Tier credits

Online Cash Games You Can Play on Borgata Poker PA

Much like BetMGM Poker PA, Borgata Poker PA has dozens of cash game tables running around the clock at various stakes.

While it's no surprise that no-limit Hold'em cash games are the most popular, players can also hop into fixed-limit Hold'em and pot-limit Omaha games, both Omaha cash games as well as tournaments.

Stakes are similar to those offered on BetMGM Poker Pennsylvania, meaning you’ll be able to play as low as $0.01/$0.02, allowing for a minimum buy-in of $0.60 and a maximum buy-in of $2 or as high as $25/$50, which allows for a minimum buy-in of $1,500 and a maximum buy-in of $5,000.

Like the previously mentioned site, BetMGM Poker PA offers “fastforward” games that move you to a new cash game table every time you fold.

Online Tournaments Available on Borgata Poker PA

There are a variety of online poker tournament options available for players on Borgata Poker PA, including both sit & go’s and MTTs. Here’s a look at some of the tournaments that are offered:

• Daily $10K
• Daily Tournaments
• Mega Tuesday
• Progressive Knockout Tournaments
• Sunday $40K Guaranteed

As you can see, many of these tournaments are similar to those offered on BetMGM Poker PA and other online poker sites. What stands out as different is the Mega Tuesday Six-Max Tournament, which costs $535 to enter and guarantees a minimum prize pool of $12,000 every week.

Borgata Poker PA also has a six-max sit & go leaderboard, allowing players to win tournament tickets and track their status against other grinders.

Best Bonuses and Promotions on Borgata Poker PA

The benefits and promotions available for playing on Borgata Poker PA are similar to those available for players on other online poker sites, including the one previously mentioned.

For example, new depositors on both sites will be welcomed with a 100% matching bonus of up to $1,000, giving players a chance to double their bankrolls before even playing a hand while also giving players up to $75 in poker tournament tickets depending on the deposit amount.

Instead of BetMGM Rewards Points, players can rack up Borgata Rewards Points for an opportunity to cash out on comped rooms, entertainment food, and drinks.

There are also benefits available through casino games, including a triple play bonus and the opportunity to get $25 bonus or 50 free spins.

WSOP Pennsylvania

WSOP PA launched in July 2021 and is the fourth option for online poker in Pennsylvania. WSOP PA operates using 888poker software and is made possible through a license of Harrah’s Philadelphia casino.

The player pool in Pennsylvania is still ring-fenced. However, that could change as Michigan recently joined an interstate compact with New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware, which could encourage states like Pennsylvania to follow suit.

Not only does the poker site offer a variety of cash game and tournament options, it also allows players to win a coveted WSOP bracelet or Circuit ring.

WSOP PA Key Features

• The official online poker site of the WSOP
• Play for a coveted gold WSOP bracelet
• Exciting tournaments with a wide range of buy-ins

WSOP PA Cash Games Available

WSOP PA has six-handed cash games constantly running at various stakes. While no-limit Hold’em cash games are the most popular, players will also be able to find pot-limit Omaha action on WSOP.com PA.

The lowest cash game stakes are $0.01/$0.02, which allows for a minimum buy-in of $1 and a maximum of $2, while the largest game is $25/$50, with a minimum buy-in of $500 and a maximum of $5,000.

Unlike Borgata Poker PA and BetMGM Poker PA, WSOP PA does not offer any “fastforward” games, which moves players to a new table every time they fold.

WSOP PA Tournaments Offered

Even better than the cash game options on WSOP PA are the tournament options, which include everything from sit & go’s to daily and weekly MTTs, PKOs, and the occasional bracelet event or Circuit series.

Tournaments on WSOP.com PA are offered in both no-limit Hold’em and pot-limit Omaha formats and vary in stakes from as low as $1 to as high as $215.

One tournament you don’t want to miss is the weekly Sunday $75,000 guarantee, which only costs $100 to enter. Occasionally, WSOP PA will sweeten the deal by also offering a seat to the $10,000 WSOP Main Event in Las Vegas.

There are also sit & go’s at various stakes running around the clock, though it may take a while for a game to start if you are trying to play at one of the higher buy-in levels.

Additionally, WSOP.com PA offers “BLAST” sit & go’s, a novel tournament format where players can buy in for between $0.10 and $30 to win between 2x and 10,000x that. These are similar to the “SPINS Tournaments” offered on BetMGM Poker PA.

WSOP PA Bonuses and Promotions

Another perk of playing on WSOP is that there are a variety of bonuses, promotions, and rewards for players to earn.

Like a few of the other online poker options mentioned on this list, WSOP PA offers new players a 100% match bonus up to $1,000, giving you a chance to double your bankroll just by making that first deposit. By just signing up, playing will receive $25 in free play, while they will unlock an additional $25 just by making a first deposit.

Another perk of depositing at least $10 is that you will get tickets to seven $100 freeroll tournaments that are exclusive to new players. The tournament tickets expire after seven days, so be sure to use them quickly.

WSOP PA also featured a multi-tiered reward program that allows players to move up the ranks and claim benefits. Real money play generates Action Player Points (AAP), giving players 2 AAPs for every $1 paid in cash game rake or tournament fees.

Players start at the Bronze level and can work their way up through the Silver and Gold levels to the Champions Club if they can reach 20,000 AAPs.

WSOP PA Tournament Series

When WSOP launched in Pennsylvania in July 2021, it wasted no time offering ring and bracelet events for players to win WSOP jewelry. A month after the launch, WSOP PA hosted eight bracelet events with buy-ins ranging from $400 to $3,200.

A year later, in March 2022, the WSOP Circuit hosted the WSOP ONLINE Super Circuit Pennsylvania, which featured 18 ring events with buy-ins ranging from $109 to $1,000.

888poker Pennsylvania

WSOP PA launched in 2021 as a collaboration between 888poker, WSOP.com, and Harrah’s Casino.

Back in September, 888poker's Head of Commercial Development Yaniv Sherman announced that the company intended to adopt a "selective approach" to online poker in Pennsylvania and would launch a new product in the state "as soon as possible."

Sherman mentioned PA's tax and fee regime as the main reason why the company decided to take a more cautionary approach and intended to work closely with their partners Harrah's and WSOP.com to make sure a jump in the PA online poker market would be as cost-efficient as possible.

Other Pennsylvania Poker Sites

PokerStars, 888poker, and WSOP are not the only companies that have decided to shape Pennsylvania's online poker market.

More names in the industry have decided to secure a license to offer real money poker games online to PA players, and so we can only expect other Pennsylvania poker sites to launch soon.

The list of companies that hold a license to launch poker sites in Pennsylvania includes:

• SugarHouse Poker
• Harrah's Poker
• Hollywood Casino Poker
• Mount Airy Poker
• Parx Poker
• Valley Forge Poker
• Wind Creek Poker

Final Verdict - What are the Best Online Poker Sites to Play in Pennsylvania?

Overall, there are some top online pokers sites to play in PA, but up there as one of the best has to be PokerStars. It's illustrious history in the industry and many years successfully servicing the needs of poker players cannot be underestimated. It's desktop software, app offerings and general weekly tournament schedule are all exceptional, and we really think it's worthy of its top-spot place in our list.

A close runner-up is BetMGM. While it doesn't quite have the legacy of Stars, BetMGM is still one of the best online poker sites around. We particularly liked the rewards program, where players can move up tiers to earn special bonuses and rewards.

Borgata Poker and WSOP PA are both good alternatives, if you're looking for something a little different, while still gaining access to some of the best poker tournaments and games available. In particular, we really liked WSOP's close relation to the live World Series of Online Poker. On the online version, you can not only qualify for the live Series' events, but you can also win a coveted WSOP bracelet - something every poker player strives for.

All-in-all, Pennsylvania residents have a great choice of online poker rooms to play at.

How do we pick the best online poker sites in PA?

Choosing the best online poker sites in Pennsylvania is no easy task, as it always comes down to personal preference. However, our reviews of the online poker sites in PA all share some common aspects that we look out for.

• Bonuses and Promotions: If you are looking to play online poker, then you need to look out for that important welcome bonus. Usually, you will also find that there are ongoing promotions and/or rewards programmes that you can also take advantage of.
• User Experience: The user experience of an online poker site is an important part of the review process. How the site and the games have been designed, as well as how fast the site operates, can have a significant impact on your game play and enjoyment.
• Payment Methods and Withdrawals: The best online poker sites are the one that offer a variety of options and fast processing/payout speeds.
• Safety and Security: For our reviews, we only consider poker sites that are fully licenced and regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). This means that if you follow our advice and play on one of these sites, you can rest assured that the games are fair, and that your money and data is safe and secure.

Play Live Poker in Pennsylvania - Brick & Mortar Poker Rooms

Harrah’s Philadelphia

Just a few miles from the Philadelphia International Airport, the Caesars Entertainment-operated Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack] provides everything from casino games to sports betting to events and fine dining.

For years, Harrah’s Philadelphia featured one of the best poker rooms in the state that had serious cash game action with no-limit Hold’em games ranging from $1/$2 to $10-$25 and daily tournaments that consistently produced big fields.

The poker room also offered seven-card stud, pot-limit Omaha and Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better.

Unfortunately, the poker room closed down in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of April 2022, the poker room at Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack remains closed until further notice.

Mohegan Sun Pocono

A tremendous live poker option for northeast Pennsylvania players is Mohegan Sun Pocono in Wilkes-Barre, offering live harness racing, sports betting, shopping, and entertainment.

The poker room at Mohegan Sun Pocono features nine tables and a variety of poker games at various limits. The Pennsylvania poker room offers daily tournaments, including bounty tournaments, as well as a bad beat, progressive, and high hand jackpots to give players a bang for their buck.

The smoke-free poker room also features several flat-screen TVs and drink services for poker players. Tables play seven-handed, and the poker room is open daily from noon-3 a.m. local time.

Parx Casino

Another live poker option is Parx Casino in Bensalem, which boasts providing “the best overall live table game action under one roof,” including sports betting, racing slots, and over a hundred table games like blackjack, craps, and roulette.

Parx Casino also offers real-money online gambling with online slots and table games, though no online poker is offered at the moment.

The Parx Poker Room was recently moved into the main casino building and features 48 tables, 22 TVs and an exclusive three-table high-limit poker enclave.

Rivers Casino Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh’s Rivers Casino calls itself the Burgh’s “hottest gaming destination” with over a hundred table games, sports betting, five restaurants, live entertainment, and a 30-table poker room.

The poker room at Rivers Casino Pittsburgh, open 10 a.m.-6 a.m. throughout the week, currently offers cash games with stakes at $1/$3 and higher in both no-limit Hold’em and pot-limit Omaha formats as well as poker tournament action.

Another added value of the Rivers Casino Pittsburgh poker room is that it offers a variety of promotions for its regular poker players, including $200 high hands, a bad beat jackpot, and royal flush jackpots.

Hollywood Casino at the Meadows

Thirty miles south of Pittsburgh is Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Washington, which provides plenty of gambling action with 2,500 slot machines, over 65 table games, horse racing, and a recently renovated sportsbook.

There is also a poker room at Meadows Casino, equipped with 14 tables with an open view of the live racing track. The Meadows Casino poker room offers cash games in the no-limit Hold-’em, pot-limit Omaha, and Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better formats.

The poker room, open from 11 a.m. to midnight on weekdays and until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, has a progressive bad beat promotion in play, allowing players to win big while they grind their stack.

Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course

Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Grantsville is another gambling option as it provides 2,100 slot machines, over 60 table games, horse racing, live entertainment, and more.

The casino used to have a poker room described as “the only one of its kind in the Hershey and Harrisburg area,” but it is currently closed, unfortunately.

Mount Airy Casino

Mount Airy Casino in Mt. Pocono has all your dining, entertainment, and gaming needs covered with a sportsbook, over 70 table games, slot machines, and a poker room.

The Mount Airy Poker Room consists of 12 tables with a variety of games, including no-limit Hold’em, Omaha, and Stud. The poker room also offers several high-hand bonuses and jackpots.

Presque Isle Casino

Presque Isle Casino in Erie is yet another gambling option providing the usual table games, sportsbook, slot machines, and racing.

Presque Isle Casino used to have a poker room with cash game action and promotions, but the room closed down and will not be returning.

Rivers Casino Philadelphia

Rivers Casino Philadelphia, previously named SugarHouse Casino, provides entertainment, dining, and gaming needs similar to the Pittsburgh location.

Also, like the Pittsburgh location, Rivers Casino Philadelphia has a poker room, this one equipped with 28 tables running cash games, daily tournaments, and the occasional tournament series. The poker room also offers a handful of bad beat and high-hand promotions.

Wind Creek Bethlehem

Wind Creek Bethlehemhas all the gaming and entertainment needs of its players covered, with sports betting, slots, live entertainment, and “stadium gaming,” a hybrid between video slots and table games.

Wind Creek Bethlehem currently has a temporary poker room open in front of the Table Games Salon offering games like no-limit Hold’em, Omaha and Stud. A brand new and revamped poker room will open at some point in 2022.

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