PayPal Online Poker. PayPal is a leading virtual 'e-Wallet' that allows fast, secure online poker banking on gambling sites. It's ideal for real-money Texas Hold'em players as you never have to reveal sensitive credit or debit card details – simply log in and make your deposit using your PayPal username. Partnerships with existing online poker rooms and software providers will be a popular way to offer casino games to Pennsylvania customers. Be Ready for Online Gambling in Pennsylvania. Online gambling is live in PA as of July 15, 2019. Stay tuned to this site for the latest information on online casino launches, promo codes and much more!
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. […]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.
At real money poker sites, you have the ability to earn impressive prizes and brush up on your skills. You’ll be able to compete with thousands of players for the cash to cash in on amazing prize pools, and claim some fantastic bonuses that give you bankroll a significant boost.
Claiming Bonuses and Promotions
When you play at real money online poker rooms, you’ll be able to take advantage of some great perks and promotions that provide you with a little – or, a lot of – extra cash in your bankroll. These are some of the most common bonuses that you’ll be able to claim at online casinos.
No Deposit Bonuses
A no deposit bonus allows you to claim a small amount of cash for free without having to spend any money. This bonus is normally offered as soon as you’ve finished registering for the site and verifying your account. The amount is usually never more than $10 but it makes for a great start to any online poker career.
Welcome Bonuses
Once you’ve claimed your no deposit bonus, a welcome bonus is available – which is provided when you make your first deposit. This usually comes in the form of a match bonus that is a 100% match of your deposit, and sometimes they can be as much as 200%. Operators will often bundle your welcome bonus with freeroll tickets.
Reload Bonuses
When you play online poker with real money, you can get little boosts throughout your membership. Reload bonuses are available to existing players, allowing them to claim extra money on top of their deposits. These tend to range from 25% matches to 50% but VIP players sometimes get more. Check the Promotions page of your chosen online casino to find out when reload bonuses are available.
VIP Programs
Even though they’re called VIP programs, they’re not exclusively available to high rollers. In fact, at most online poker sites, everyone can join the VIP (or loyalty) program. Every time you take part in games, you’ll be provided with a number of points that you’ll eventually be able to redeem for cash and tournament tickets.
You can climb the ranks of the VIP program by depositing more over time. As you move up the levels, you’ll be able to claim better perks such as larger reload bonuses and entry into exclusive tournaments.
Freeroll Tournaments
These are tournaments that you don’t have to pay a cent to enter into. They are often provided to new players and as part of special promotions. You can even cash in your VIP points for the chance to play in freerolls. While the prizes are not as large as they are in paid tournaments, it’s worth playing in freerolls because there is no financial commitment whatsoever.
Pa Online Poker Websites Games
Exciting Real Money Poker Games
There are plenty of exciting activities that you can take part when you play online poker with real money. Not only do you have access to a wide range of cash game variants; you can also take part in all sorts of exciting tournaments that provide you with the chance to win big.
Cash Game Variants
In Pennsylvania, you’ll find Texas Hold’em and Omaha Poker. Razz and Stud games are not often available at regulated online poker, but you’ll still be able to take part in the most popular online poker games that draw plenty of players and lots of competition.
Fast fold poker is another fun online poker variant. This type of poker moves you to a new table every time you fold or win a hand. You get a new hand right away, so you get to play many more hands per hour and rake in those big bucks.
Types of Online Poker Tournaments
The tournament selection at real money poker sites is also very impressive. There are all sorts of exciting competitions that you can take part in, each offering its own unique spin on classic poker.
- Sit n Gos: In this type of tournament, the competition begins as soon as a certain number of players sit at the table. The player pool is quite small, so sit n gos make a great place to practice.
- Turbos and Hypers: In turbo tournaments, the blinds increase every five minutes or so. This speeds up the gameplay, and makes things more exciting.
- Satellites: Rather than playing for cash prizes, you’ll be playing for the chance to win entry into other tournaments with larger prize pools.
- Freerolls: There is no entry fee into this type of tournament. As a result, the prize pools are smaller than in standard tournaments.
- Heads Up Tournaments: These are tournaments in which you play against one other player at a time, rather than six-handed or nine-handed.
- Rebuys: Normally, when you’re eliminated from a tournament, that’s it. However, in rebuy tournaments, you can pay a fee to re-enter after you’ve busted.
- Bounty Tournaments: Each player has a bounty on their head and, when you eliminate someone, you receive their bounty and your bounty increases.
Online poker rooms are always thinking up innovative ways to engage players in tournaments. So, always be on the lookout for new types of competitions that you can take part in.
Pa Online Poker Sites
Is it Safe Playing Real Money Poker?
Now that online poker has been legalized in Pennsylvania, it is perfect safe for you to gamble at licensed sites. While there are still offshore poker sites that offer their services to local players, it’s always better for you to register and play with a site that has been licensed by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
This authority thoroughly vets all licensees to ensure that they are committed to providing players with a safe and secure online gaming experience. They must have fair gaming standards in place and provide a high level of security that ensures your personal information cannot be accessed by third parties.
When it comes to playing at offshore sites, the majority of these destinations are licensed by gaming authorities in places like Gibraltar, the United Kingdom and Malta – so, they have many of the same safeguards in place. However, since they are technically not legally licensed to operate in the United States, there is always the chance that they could exit the market at any time and refuse to accept American players in the future. This ends up being quite an inconvenience for US-based players, and it can sometimes be difficult for them to access their accounts and withdraw money.
So, as a Pennsylvania, it’s best that you stick with playing online poker with real money at PGCB-licensed gaming sites. You can always rest assured that you’re in good hands and that your gaming experience will be a safe one.
Banking at Real Money Online Poker Sites
If you’re playing online poker in Pennsylvania, you’ll have a wide range of options to choose from when it comes to making deposits and withdrawals to your account. There are many safe and secure options that allow you to fund your account easily with convenient and secure banking methods.
By playing at a licensed online poker site in Pennsylvania, you’ll be able to use credit cards, bank transfers and trustworthy e-wallets to make deposits and withdrawals. Each method offers safe transactions which ensure that your banking details will not be accessed by anyone outside of the casino operator.
It’s important to remember that you’ll have to submit documents before you can make a withdrawal at a poker site. Your ID (a passport or driver’s license) and a document that shows your home address are usually the documents that the poker room operator will request. If you’re unable to provide these documents, then your withdrawal will not be processed.
There are plenty of places to play online poker with real money in Pennsylvania. So, take advantage of all of the great opportunities available to you, where you can access exciting games, fun tournaments, generous promotions and safe banking.
It took until the end of November 2019 for online poker in PA to get formally legalized. This made the Keystone State the fourth US state where players can play poker games online legally. More importantly, it marked the start of an era of safe and regulated PA poker sites.
In this article, we will take a look at the present landscape of Pennsylvania online poker. We will also see which poker websites have set up shop since the bill was introduced and what they have to offer.
Is Online Poker Legal in PA?
As we’ve said in the beginning, online poker in PA has been legal since late 2019. This means that poker pundits who reside within the state can play real-money poker at licensed online poker sites. Since the launch, the number of sites and tournaments has steadily been increasing.
However, the road to this point hit its fair share of bumps. The move to regulate online gambling began back in 2013. This is when the gaming regulatory officials first started to look into legal and regulatory requirements. Following years of discussions, studies, and delays, it took until 2017 for the legislation to move forward.
Finally, after another two-year delay, the governor of Pennsylvania, Tom Wolf, signed the Bill H 271 on November 4, 2019. Apart from PA online poker, the bill also legalized interactive casino games, daily fantasy sports, and sports betting, making history in the process.
How Legal Online Poker Sites Work in Pennsylvania
In order to start offering online poker in PA, software providers must enter a partnership with an established land-based casino. At this time, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board approved seven land-based casinos to begin offering online poker in PA. In order to apply for a license to offer casino and poker games online, casino operators must pay $10 million.
When it comes to accessing poker games online, players usually have to download a desktop client in or a mobile app. This provides a more stable playing experience and also gives players the possibility to play at more than one table at the same time. There are four main poker formats you will find at the best online poker sites:
- Poker tournaments – Although they often come with variations, in general, poker tournaments have a knockout format. Each player starts off with their own stack of chips and the gameplay continues until there is only one player left. Naturally, the winner takes the entire pot.
- Cash games – These types of games usually have two, six, or nine players. The chips have a monetary value and can be refilled up to a predetermined maximum, throughout the game.
- Sit & Go tournaments – They come with a predetermined number of players which can go up to 120. Participants buy their way in and sometimes also pay the tournament fee. The tournament is played at multiple tables and the prizes are handed out according to the tournament’s prize pool structure.
PA Online Poker: Welcome Offers and Promotions
It did not take long since the launch for Pennsylvania online poker market to become extremely competitive. But, as it often does, the competition brought players a number of benefits. Operators consistently try to one-up each other and reel in new users with promotional offers, bigger tournaments and a better choice of poker games online. Some of the promotional offers you will commonly see are the following:
- Matched welcome bonuses – This is the most commonly offered type of a welcome bonus. The operator matches your first deposit, usually 100%, essentially doubling your initial playing credit.
- No-deposit bonuses – Sometimes, poker sites offer free chips or buy-ins, without the need for a deposit. However, these types of bonuses usually come with heavy wagering requirements, before any winnings can be withdrawn.
- Reload bonuses – Operators might also offer bonuses for reloading your account down the line. However, as these bonuses are meant for existing customers, they are usually lower than welcome bonuses.
- Loyalty programs – Some operators have loyalty programs that offer tiered bonuses players unlock by being active on the website.
Depositing and Withdrawal at PA Online Poker Sites
Making online poker in PA legal made it much less risky for players to deposit and withdraw funds. Generally, the exact list of payment options varies with operators. However, these are the most common payment options you will have in the best online poker sites:
Credit / Debit cards – Making deposits with Visa and MasterCard is supported by all PA poker sites. Some also accept Discover cards.</li>
Prepaid Play+ cards – Some operators offer branded prepaid cards, which you can use to deposit and withdraw funds.
PayPal – It’s the most popular online wallet in the US. It acts as an intermediary between your bank account and the online casino, keeping your sensitive information hidden. For many PA poker players, it is the most convenient option for deposits and withdrawals.
Neteller / Skrill – Both of the services work in a similar way to PayPal and have been popular payment options in iGaming for years. Like PayPal, they have quick processing times but come with hefty fees.
eChecks – eChecks or ACH transfers are a way to transfer money directly to and from your bank account. Online operators usually allow you to pre-verify your banking information which significantly speeds up the process.
Bank Wire – Although slower than eChecks, Bank Wires are another way to transfer money directly from your bank. It’s mostly used to transfer larger amounts.
Money order / Paper Check – Although it comes with the longest processing times, most operators allow you to withdraw funds via paper checks.
Casino cage – Each Pennsylvania online poker operator gives you the option to make deposits and withdraw funds at their partnered land-based casino.
PayNearMe – Some operators allow you to make a deposit to your account through 7-Eleven and CVS stores.
PA Online Poker Partnerships
Pa Online Poker News
As we’ve said, online poker in PA is offered through partnerships between brick and mortar casinos and iGaming software providers. It’s important to emphasize that, for the time being, PA poker sites are ring-fenced. This means that PA players can only play with other players within the state.
In the next section, we will take a closer look at some of the best online poker sites currently active in the US.
Mount Airy Casino & PokerStars
PokerStars officially became the first one PA poker provider to launch, having entered a partnership with Mount Airy Casino Resort, back in August 2018. The casino launched as soon as Pennsylvania online poker became legal, on November 4, 2019.
PokerStars is known for its well-designed platform with many considering it to be one of the best online poker sites. It is also the largest operator in the world, offering weekly tournaments, frequent promotions, and plenty of game variations.
Valley Forge Casino and GVC / PartyPoker
Owned by GVC holdings, PartyPoker is one of the oldest poker-related brands in the US. The operator has been a hugely popular option with poker players New Jersey. The operator offers an excellent mobile platform that allows players to participate in up to 4 games. It is likely we will see it operating in Pennsylvania in the coming months.
Harrah’s Casino and 888 / WSOP.com
Through its partnership with Harrah’s Casino and 888, WSOP.com currently has the largest player base in the business. Recent WSOP.com tournaments have generated massive attention, drawing crowds of new users. The website offers six-hand and nine-hand cash games, and Sit & Go tournaments. There are also games like Pot Limit Omaha, Omaha 8 or Better, and No Limit Holden tables.
Live Poker in PA
In total, there are currently ten live poker rooms in PA. Here is the full list:
- Harrah’s Philadelphia
- The Meadows Casino
- Wind Creek Casino
- Presque Isle Casino