Is Poker legal in Pennsylvania? Online & Live Poker Laws in PA
Online poker in Pennsylvania has been in demand for a long time, with Pennsylvanians finally getting access to the action that they craved after the passage of legislation to expand gambling throughout the state in 2017. The result of that legislation has been a combination of in-person and online poker that most states in America simply cannot replicate.
Read on to find out more about poker's legality in PA, including where to play and the history of gambling laws in the state.
Is Poker Legal in Pennsylvania?
Yes, it is legal to play both online and live poker in Pennsylvania and has been since state lawmakers legalized it in 2017, with the first online poker site going live in 2019. There are also several brick-and-mortar casinos within PA that offer various live poker games, so as long as you're in Pennsylvania, your poker needs are covered from all angles!
Read on to find out more about PA's online and live poker offerings.
Can I Play Online Poker in Pennsylvania?
Yes, online poker is both legal and fully regulated in PA, meaning it's safe and reliable for all players. Pennsylvania was instrumental in pushing for legalization following Black Friday, and saw lots of interest from operators when it was eventually legalized. Momentum hasn't yet subsided, with further entrants into the PA market expected in the future, ensuring the game will continue to see vast growth in the coming years.
The main, trusted operators that are active in the state are PokerStars PA, Borgata Poker PA, BetMGM Poker PA, BetRivers Poker PA and WSOP PA. Most of these, with the exception of PokerStars, are part of the MSIGA (Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement), after Pennsylvania joined it in April 2025. This allows players in PA to compete against players in the other states that are part of the agreement (WV, DE, NJ, MI and NV).
Can I Play Live Poker in Pennsylvania?
Yes, there are nearly a dozen places to play live poker in Pennsylvania, with many casinos also offering slots, table games and sports betting.
Some of the most popular poker rooms in Pennsylvania include Live! Casino Philadelphia, Delaware Park, Parx Casino, Mohegan Sun Pocono, Hollywood Casino, Presque Isle Casino, The Meadows Racetrack & Casino and Wind Creek Casino.
Whether you are looking to play cash games or tournaments, you should be able to find everything you need from Philadelphia to Eastern Pennsylvania.
21 is the legal age to play poker in Pennsylvania, both online and live, which is the same age as in other US states.
This is the legal age for other forms of gambling as well, with the exception of horse racing, bingo and the lottery, for which the legal age is 18.
Pennsylvania Gambling Laws - Current Situation
Live poker was not allowed in Pennsylvania until lawmakers passed a law in 2010 that allowed table games at the slots-only casinos, paving the way for poker rooms to take up shop in the state's casinos.
Like other states in the US, online poker was banned in Pennsylvania during 2011's Black Friday when the US Department of Justice seized player funds and shut down online poker sites. For a few years, there were no legal online poker or gambling options available in the Keystone State.
Interestingly, online poker was the last of the newly permitted gambling activities to launch in the state of Pennsylvania. Online sports betting and online casino gaming were first made available to players in July of 2019.
Poker players would have to wait four more months, though. At this point, casinos were given the option to pay one licensing fee to operate online poker, online slots and table games online. They typically chose that option over the option to pay separate amounts to license those forms of gambling individually. These casinos have begun licensing PA online poker operators to offer online poker in this state, allowing bettors the ability to begin playing as of November of 2019 when PokerStars and Mount Airy Casino teamed up for the first legal online poker room in Pennsylvania.
Tax on Poker in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, both live and online poker winnings are fully taxable. At the federal level, all gambling winnings must be reported as income and are taxed according to your regular income bracket. At the state level, Pennsylvania taxes all gambling winnings—including poker—at a rate of 3.07%, with no deductions allowed for losses. Whether you win at a casino poker room or on a legal online site like PokerStars PA or BetMGM, you are required to report and pay taxes.
In 2025, Congress passed the Trump administration’s Big Beautiful Bill, which caps gambling loss deductions at 90% of winnings, a move that experts say will negatively impact poker players come tax season.
Safe & Responsible Gambling in Pennsylvania
Whether it's casino games, sports betting or indeed poker, it’s important to always play responsibly. All licensed poker sites in Pennsylvania provide tools to help players stay in control, including deposit limits, timeouts, and self-exclusion options.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) also provides several state-wide responsible gaming resources. The PGCB also supports the Compulsive and Problem Gambling Program, offering tools and referrals for those struggling with gambling addiction. Players seeking help can contact 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) for 24/7 confidential support, operated by the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania.
Find out more with the PokerNews guide to Responsible Gambling.
Pennsylvania
- Online Poker is allowed
- Online Poker is legal since 2017
- HB 271
- Live Poker is allowed
- Live Poker is legal since 2010
- Senate Bill 711
- Online Casino is allowed
- Online Casino is legal since 2017
- HB 271
- Sports Betting is allowed
- Sports Betting is legal since 2017
- HB 271
Pennsylvania Poker History (Timeline)
PA has a vast history when it comes to gambling and poker, with lots of setbacks. More recently, though, it's been full steam ahead as online poker has opened up in the state, seeing operators flock to provide their services in Pennsylvania. Here's a full outline of the journey to legalizing poker in PA.
- Casino Gambling Legalized (2004)
Casino gambling, including live poker, is legalized as Act 71: Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act is passed. Online poker continues to be illegal, but it's a big step to fully introducing poker to the state. - Live Poker Room Boom (2006-2010)
Live poker rooms begin appearing in more and more casinos across the state, including Harrah's Philadelphia and Parx Casino. - US Government Shutsdown (April 2011)
2011's Black Friday effectively shut down online poker in the US as players had their funds seized by the US Department of Justice. - Online Poker Legalized in Pennsylvania (October 2017)
In 2017, Pennsylvania lawmakers passed HB 271 into law, a bill legalizing online poker and other forms of gambling. - First Online Poker Site Enters Pennsylvania (November 2019)
PokerStars PA became the first online poker provider in the state on November 4, 2019. - More Poker Sites Join (2021)
Multiple online poker sites joined PokerStars in Pennsylvania in 2021, including WSOP PA and BetMGM Poker PA. - Pennsylvania Joins Multi-State Poker Compact (May 2023)
In May 2023, Pennsylvania officially joined the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), allowing its licensed online poker operators to share player pools with other member states like New Jersey, Michigan, Nevada, and Delaware. This marked a major milestone for liquidity, enabling larger tournaments and more consistent cash game traffic across state lines. It would take several years for Pennsylvania to begin offering multi-state poker. Another Operator Enters the Market (2024)
In late 2024, BetRivers Poker entered the PA market, making it a state with one of the most options available for players looking to play online poker. More movement is expected, as other operators ponder and take action to follow suit and launch in PA.
BetRivers entered the market in 2024 - MSIGA Gets Final Approval from Gov. Shapiro (April 2025)
The most recent development in the Pennsylvania online poker saga came in April 2025 when Governor Josh Shapiro gave his final approval on the online poker agreement for Pennsylvania to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), making it the sixth state to do so.
Play Legal Real Money Poker in Pennsylvania
Playing legal poker online or at licensed venues is easy and secure in Pennsylvania. In the following sections, we’ll guide you through how to get started.
First, we’ll explore your legal options for online poker, including the latest operators and tournament offerings. Then, we’ll spotlight the top destinations for live poker at trusted Pennsylvania casinos.
How to Play Legal Online Poker in Pennsylvania
Players in Pennsylvania can legally join real-money poker games on licensed sites including PokerStars PA, WSOP PA, and BetMGM Poker PA. These platforms offer cash games, sit & gos, and regular tournament series, all under the regulation of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
Pennsylvania Online Poker Operators Comparison
| Operator | MSIGA Shared | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| PokerStars PA | -- | Range of games and variants |
| WSOP PA | NJ, NV, MI | Major tournament events/series |
| BetMGM Poker PA | NJ, MI | User-friendly interface and lucrative rewards program |
| BetRivers Poker PA | MI, DE, WV | Player-focused with great rakeback promos |
| Borgata Poker PA | NJ | Smooth experience with shared liquidity and MGM network integration |
How to Play Legal Live Poker in Pennsylvania
In addition to online poker, Pennsylvania is home to many of the best poker rooms in the region that offer both cash game and tournament action at various stakes.
Mohegan Pennsylvania Casino Resort
| Aspect | Status |
|---|---|
| Name | Mohegan Pennsylvania Casino Resort |
| Address | 1280 Highway 315, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18702 |
| Parking | Free self and valet parking available |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours, 7 days a week |
| Poker Games | NLH, PLO and mixed games available |
| Rewards | Momentum program offering tiered benefits and discounts |
A great live poker option for northeast Pennsylvania players is Mohegan Sun Pocono in Wilkes-Barre, which also offers 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 bad beat, progressive, and high hand jackpots to give players a bang for their buck.
Parx Casino
| Aspect | Status |
|---|---|
| Name | Parx Casino |
| Address | 2999 Street Road, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020 |
| Parking | Free self-parking and valet service available |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours, 7 days a week |
| Poker Games | High-stakes cash games and daily tournaments |
| Rewards | Xclub rewards program with tiered player benefits |
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. The crown in the jewels for any poker fan is Parx's dedicated poker room, housing an incredible 48 tables within it!
Rivers Casino Pittsburgh
| Aspect | Status |
|---|---|
| Name | Rivers Casino Pittsburgh |
| Address | 777 Casino Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212 |
| Parking | Free self-parking and valet service available |
| Opening Hours | 10:00-06:00 (Everyday) |
| Poker Games | Daily cash games and regular tournaments |
| Rewards | Rush Rewards program with multiple benefit tiers |
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.
Hollywood Casino at the Meadows
| Aspect | Status |
|---|---|
| Name | Hollywood Casino at the Meadows |
| Address | 210 Racetrack Road, Washington, Pennsylvania 15301 |
| Parking | Free self-parking and valet available |
| Opening Hours | 13:00-02:00 (Mon-Thu), 11:00-04:00 (Fri-Sat), 11:00-02:00 (Sun) |
| Poker Games | Texas Hold'em, PLO & PLO8, cash games and frequent poker tournaments |
| Rewards | mychoice® rewards program with tiered benefits |
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.
Other great live poker options in Pennsylvania include Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, Mount Airy Casino and Wind Creek Bethlehem.
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Poker Legality in Pennsylvania FAQs
Is online poker legal in Pennsylvania?
Yes, online poker is legal in Pennsylvania. It was legalized in 2017 under HB 271 and launched in November 2019. All platforms must be licensed by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) to operate legally.
How old do I have to be to play online poker in Pennsylvania?
You must be 21 or older to play online poker or visit a casino in PA.
What online poker sites are available in Pennsylvania?
There are five licensed operators: PokerStars PA, WSOP PA, BetRivers Pokeer, BetMGM Poker PA, and Borgata Poker PA, all approved and regulated by the PGCB.
Can I play against players in other states?
Yes, Pennsylvania joined the MSIGA in 2025, which links its player pools with NJ, NV, DE, MI, and WV for collectively larger cash games and tournament fields.
Do I have to be a resident to play in Pennsylvania?
No, you don't have to be a resident, but you must be physically located within PA state lines. Geo-location services verify compliance.
How do I sign up to play legally?
You’ll need to be 21+, submit a valid ID (typically driver’s license + SSN), pass geolocation verification, and register on a platform approved by a PA casino partner.
Why was poker banned in Pennsylvania?
Like in the rest of the US, online poker in Pennsylvania was shut down in 2011 when the US Department of Justice seized player funds and shut down online sites.
Is PokerStars legal in Pennsylvania?
Yes, PokerStars is fully legal and regulated in Pennsylvania and one of a handful of online poker options in the state.
Is GGPoker legal in Pennsylvania?
GGPoker has yet to enter the US market but is expected to do so in the near future, including in Pennsylvania.
What are the best poker rooms/casinos to play poker in Pennsylvania?
Some of the most popular poker rooms in Pennsylvania include Live! Casino Philadelphia, Delaware Park, Parx Casino and Mohegan Sun Pocono.