For the first time since the inception of regulated online poker in the United States, an operator has merged traffic from three different states on one platform, dubbed WSOP Online.
The merger, which was finalized on May 27, allowed players from Michigan to join the existing joint player pool of Nevada and New Jersey and compete for 30 WSOP gold bracelets online from the comfort of their homes.
According to pokerfuse, the operator decided to replace its existing WSOP.com brand and introduce WSOP Online, a new brand under which it will operate moving forward, as more states legalize online poker and enter into MSIGA, allowing player pools to be merged.
This move was a historic one in terms of US online poker, as three major states have been merged for the first time, creating the biggest regulated online poker player pool in US history.
“This platform upgrade is long overdue and is a big win for our players,” said Danielle Barille, Vice President of Online Poker at Caesars Digital. “The best is yet to come for WSOP Online tournaments, and we’re thrilled to bring Michigan players into the fold with Nevada and New Jersey, resulting in a better experience, more value, and the biggest prize pools of the year.”
- Big welcome package
- Play for WSOP bracelets
- Rewarding promotions
WSOP Makes Full Use of MSIGA
Multi-State iGaming Agreement (MSIGA) is a compact that allows operators in the states that have signed it to merge their poker player pools and create tournaments and cash games across state border.
To date, Nevada, New Jersey, and Michigan have signed the compact, and in theory the player pools of the three states could be joined for some time.
PokerStars US was the first to take advantage of Michigan entering MSIGA when it moved to merge its player pools in NJ and MI. However, PokerStars does not yet operate in Nevada, and was thus only able to merge to two states, but not the third.
On the other hand, players from Nevada and New Jersey have had an opportunity to play, and compete for bracelets, together for some time. The new expansion will mean even bigger player pools and prize pools for players from all three states moving forward.
WSOP players in Pennsylvania thus remain the only ones outside of the network, even as legislators work on bringing the state into MSIGA and making it possible for operators to merge their existing PA platforms into their networks as well.
What’s Next for WSOP Online?
The WSOP brand has been working hard on its expansion both live and online. Just last year, the WSOP Main Event shattered its attendance record, while WSOP Online has launched a brand new online poker platform and merged the three states into one player pool, creating a more friendly environment for the players.
At this time, the addition of WSOP.PA into the fold would be the logical next step, with the only obstacle to that move being the fact Pennsylvania is not yet part of the MSIGA.
Yet, it is likely that the state will join the likes of NV, NJ, and MI over the next 12 months and unite all poker-playing states in the nation under one flag, as further expansion looms.
Moving forward, the launch of New York online poker or platforms in states like California or Florida could be huge moves that would allow online poker in the country to truly thrive.
One thing that is becoming apparent is that MSIGA simply makes sense for everyone, and we can expect new states that regulate igaming to make shorter work of joining the compact, potentially boosting the WSOP Online brand event more.
