Pennsylvania Online Poker Laws

Pennsylvania is now the second largest casino state. There are many large poker rooms across the state. Players can find the same game selection at these casinos as they would in any major casino city.

Online Poker Legality in Pennsylvania

There are no laws that specifically address online poker in Pennsylvania. Two separate bills are pending in the state that would each have opposite effects. One bill would allow online poker and casino games to state residents. It would not allow tourists to play.

The bill’s sponsor feels that it is important for Pennsylvania to expand into interactive gambling to main its second place standing in national casino revenue. A different bill would ban all forms of online gambling in Pennsylvania. It does not appear that either bill has enough support to pass at this time.

Where Can You Play Online Poker in Pennsylvania?

Bovada.lv is the largest online poker room to accept Pennsylvania players. It peaks between 2500 and 3000 players each night. There are also hundreds and even thousands of tournament players during peak hours. There are hundreds of thousands of dollars in guaranteed tournaments each week. Bovada gives new players a 100% up to $1,000 first deposit bonus. There is also a program where players can exchange poker points into tournament entries.

Bovada and its network partner Bodog have some odd features that may annoy some serious players. The most noticeable issue is that players do not have screen names at the table. Players are assigned a number at both cash games and tournaments. This keeps weaker players from being easily recognized and keeps them from being targeted by more experienced players. Bovada also does not display full tables in the lobby. This prevents players from being able to join a waitlist. While this may seem like an inconvenience, it actually helps new tables launch.

**UPDATE** Bovada.LV has temporarily halted new signups in the USA; existing accounts will continue to function as usual, with cash out times still being within 1 to 2 weeks.

Players looking for a more traditional poker room should consider Carbon Poker, which is a member of the Merge Gaming Network. Carbon Poker has some of the best software in the online poker industry. It also has some unusual games, including Badugi, 2-7 Triple Draw and HORSE.

New Carbon Poker players receive a 200% up to $5,000 first deposit bonus. There is also a Royal Flush bonus with a prize of 100 big blinds. The Carbon Poker VIP program is one of the best in all of online poker.

Live Poker Options in Pennsylvania

Parx Casino (Philadelphia) – Parx offers over 60 poker tables. It is the largest poker room in Pennsylvania. Players will find 1/2, 2/5 and 5/10 No Limit Texas Hold’em. Fixed Limit Hold’em can be found at limits 6/12 and above. Stud and mixed games are also common. There are at least 10 weekly tournaments.

Sands Poker Room (Bethlehem) – This 36-table poker room spreads Texas Hold’em, Omaha and Stud. No Limit Hold’em blinds are 1/2, 2/5, 5/5 and 5/10. Fixed limit games are available as low as 3/6. There is a tournament scheduled each day.

Harrah’s (Philadelphia) – Harrah’s offers over 30 poker tables. There are two daily tournaments. Limit Hold’em starts as low as 2/4, while no limit players will find games between 1/2 and 10/25 blinds.