In 2019, West Virginia legalized online poker, but it wasn’t until recently that the prospects for launching sites in the state improved significantly. The state’s entry into the Multi-State Internet Gaming Association (MSIGA) paves the way for online poker operators in West Virginia to join forces with counterparts in other states, allowing for a larger player pool, and with it more liquidity.
John Myers, the Director of the West Virginia Lottery, expressed optimism about the move, noting it would enable West Virginian iGaming providers to offer multi-state poker, potentially leading to larger winnings for players due to the expanded participant base.
States currently in the compact include Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey, and Michigan, with Michigan being the latest addition. Notably, PokerStars has merged its Michigan player base with its New Jersey site, and WSOP.com, although operational in Michigan, is yet to extend beyond state lines. WSOP.com does, however, offer player pooling between its Nevada and New Jersey sites and collaborates with 888 in Delaware.
Despite having legalized online poker, Pennsylvania has not joined MSIGA, pending decisions from Governor Tom Wolf. Connecticut also legalized online poker but hasn’t launched a site. Among the three operators in Connecticut, FanDuel is linked to online poker through its affiliation with Flutter Entertainment’s PokerStars.
West Virginia’s inclusion in MSIGA is a strategic move that could enhance the state’s appeal to online poker operators who had previously overlooked the West Virginia market.
The States of Michigan and New Jersey joined the MSIGA on 1st of January 2023.
