The world’s largest and most popular interactive poker site is coming to Pennsylvania. PokerStars and Mount Airy Casino resort are bringing online gaming and sports betting to the Keystone State.
With Mount Airy’s approved license for online casino and poker in early August, this is not unexpected news for gaming watchers.
The Stars Group, the operator of PokerStars.com, is keen to expand their presence in the United States. Its senior vice president for strategy and operations this side of the Atlantic, Matt Primeaux, released an official statement regarding his company’s partnership with Pennsylvania’s well-known casino group.
“We’re well positioned to capitalize on opportunities in the Commonwealth,” he enthused, especially about bringing PokerStars product to the state.
Mount Airy’s vice president for marketing and operations, Vincent Jordan, also released a statement welcoming the partnership.
“Partnering with The Stars Group is the obvious next step for us,” he stated. And further explained that as one of the state’s leading casino operators, taking the step to offer online gaming services is the logical move.
Jordan also emphasized Mount Airy’s continuing diversification of its casino and gaming offerings. Bringing internet gaming through The Stars Group is a logical step for the casino as it seeks to gain a foothold in younger customers, especially those who are looking for new gaming experiences and challenges.
Mount Airy will also be partnering with Europe’s leading interactive casino and online gaming operator 888 which has entered the North American market and is currently operating in New Jersey.
Currently, PokerStars is also operating online casino games and poker in New Jersey and expanding in Pennsylvania will give it a stronger hold in the US market.
With the entry of the two biggest online casinos and interactive gaming operators in Pennsylvania, gaming and betting enthusiasts are awaiting more good news.
Delaware, Nevada, and New Jersey all share player and gaming pools with a multistate poker deal in place among the three states. However, Pennsylvania does not have any similar agreement, but that could soon change with the entry of the big-time names of online casinos. The probability of joining a multistate player pool with the states of Delaware, Nevada, and New Jersey is gaining traction.
A PokerStars or 888 products that would be available for both PA and NJ players would definitely be a hit.
Meanwhile, with Mount Airy announcing its plans to start offering sports betting which is more likely to become operational by early 2019, it becomes the second Pennsylvania casino to join the fray. Parx Casino had earlier announced its intention to add sports betting in its casino and online offerings.
With the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board approving online gaming licenses and accepting additional operators, sports wagering is expected to take-off especially after the Supreme Court’s decision legalizing it.
Right now, Pennsylvania may have opened the field for sports wagering, but its pricey $10 million licensing fees are meant to attract only the serious operators. Also, stringent rules and qualifications for casinos only allow one branded website for sports betting. Details on how Mount Airy and 888 will brand their sports wagering website have yet to be released.
Other casinos and gaming operators have also expressed interest in sports betting with SugarHouse Casino and Rivers Casino through its operator Rush Street Gaming announcing a signed deal but with no other details released.
