Will New Jersey Finally Allow Shared Online Poker Liquidity with Pennsylvania?

If you’re a committed online poker player in New Jersey, you’ve probably noticed that the scene offers plenty of action, but the player pool can feel limited. And then there’s Pennsylvania, just a stone’s throw away, with its own thriving poker market.

Both states remain locked into their own ecosystems, but the potential merger of these two communities could be the single biggest shake-up in Northeast poker.

From larger tournaments to massive prize pools and a breath of fresh competition, it’s an exciting prospect. But will it happen? Is it realistic to expect an announcement anytime soon?

The latest PA online poker update in October 2024 saw Gov. Josh Shapiro confirm that negotiations have begun for Pennsylvania to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) alongside Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, West Virginia, and New Jersey.

There has been nothing concrete since then, so let’s talk about what the potential impact would look like.

Current State of Online Poker in NJ and PA

Before we discuss the potential impact of this theoretical NJ and PA online poker news update, let’s cover the current poker scene in both states.

New Jersey’s Online Poker Scene

Currently, major platforms like PokerStars, WSOP.com, and Partypoker keep the NJ virtual tables busy. According to state gaming data, New Jersey’s online poker revenue in March 2024 was $2,358,271.

Despite sharing liquidity with Nevada and Delaware since 2018, those states’ smaller player bases limit the scale of tournaments and prize pools.

For example, WSOP New Jersey’s Multi-State Poker Network Series typically sees tournaments with around 500 participants and guaranteed prize pools of up to $250,000.

It’s solid, but the possibility of adding Pennsylvania’s tens of thousands of online players would make it even more exciting.

Pennsylvania’s Stand-Alone Power

On the other side of the Delaware River, Pennsylvania’s online poker scene thrives with PokerStars, WSOP PA, and other platforms. But, like New Jersey, it’s restricted to players within state lines.

PokerStars PA has hosted events that have reached $2.5 million in guaranteed prize pools during its PACOOP series. PACOOP’s main events often draw more than 1,000 participants per game.

Key Takeaway: Since the PA online poker launch date, Pennsylvania’s standalone poker events have already eclipsed New Jersey’s in size. Merging the pools could multiply tournament sizes and prize money dramatically.

What Is Online Poker Shared Liquidity?

If you’re unfamiliar, shared liquidity means letting players from different states compete in the same online games and tournaments. For the largest gambling companies and operators, it’s like offering one giant poker room instead of separate, smaller ones.

Now, New Jersey is already part of a pooled arrangement with Nevada and Delaware through the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), which PA is looking to join. However, adding Pennsylvania could increase the combined player base to millions of eligible players.

Bigger Prize Pools: Existing NJ players might remember the WSOP Online Series in 2021, which shared liquidity between NJ and Nevada and offered a $10 million prize pool. Adding Pennsylvania to the mix could push future event guarantees even higher.

Larger Tournaments: Multi-state tournaments could attract 3,000–5,000 participants, levels only seen on international poker networks.

A Revamped Poker Economy: More players mean consistent, active tables at all hours, something the current NJ scene sometimes lacks during off-peak times.

At times, I’ve hopped on PokerStars NJ late at night and struggled to find active tables for my favorite cash games, and I’m guessing this might happen to folks at WSOP Poker Pennsylvania, too. Opening the pool almost guarantees you’ll never wait for a game again.

The Legal and Regulatory Hurdles

It might sound simple to implement, but combining player pools takes months or even years of legal maneuvering.

Federal Challenges – The Wire Act: The 1961 Wire Act prohibits interstate gambling and keeps creeping back into discussions. Though a 2011 DOJ opinion clarified it doesn’t apply to poker, the issue is far from settled. States like Pennsylvania might hesitate because of potential legal risks.

Licensing Conflicts: Right now, New Jersey’s operators are licensed under NJ’s Division of Gaming Enforcement, while PA platforms operate under the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Merging these frameworks while still ensuring online casino safety and security in both markets will involve lots of coordination and compromises.

Tax Revenue Disputes: Each state will want assurances about how gaming taxes are split. Resolving tax-sharing agreements will be critical before moving forward.

Quick Points to Note:

• Legal negotiations could take at least 18 months, based on past shared liquidity agreements.
• State legislators in Pennsylvania may need extra convincing, as their gaming laws are stricter than those in NJ.

What’s the Payoff? The Potential Benefits of Shared Liquidity

Why should NJ and PA go through all this trouble? Because the rewards could be game-changing for players, operators, and both states.

Here’s what we stand to gain if the states team up:

• More variety for players, possibly over 15,000 daily active players based on different estimates.
• Increased tournament guarantees, from an average of $100k prize pools in NJ to $300k or even $500k.
• Higher stakes cash games and bustling low-stakes tables for recreational players.
• More entry fees mean bigger profit margins for the operators. With shared liquidity, some experts predict operators could boost their revenues by up to 40%.
• International events hosted on U.S. platforms could finally make sense.
• For the states, shared liquidity has proven to increase total revenues. Nevada, NJ, and Delaware saw revenues jump right in the first year of their 2018 agreement. Similar or more significant boosts could benefit both NJ and PA economies, adding millions back into public budgets.

Honestly, the player-side benefits alone make this a no-brainer. Even as someone who doesn’t play tournaments regularly, the thought of bigger cash games brings a glimmer of excitement.

Challenges for New Jersey Players

Not every change is going to sit well with local players. While the prospect of shared liquidity is overwhelmingly positive, notable concerns exist. Some of the challenges include:

Fiercer Competition: Pennsylvania brings some skilled players to the table, and less experienced NJ players might feel outmatched. Still, as someone who’s played alongside visitors at Atlantic City’s poker rooms, I think the challenge can be inspiring.

Oversaturation: Right now, NJ’s poker sites cater primarily to locals. Adding thousands of players could crowd out smaller operators or lead to less personalized platforms.

Is Shared Liquidity the Best Way Forward?

After looking at all angles, it feels like shared liquidity is a win-win for everyone.

Yes, the hurdles are real, and yes, it will take time. However, the outcome could redefine what it means to play online poker in New Jersey: bigger prize pools, better tournaments, and, ultimately, a new level of excitement for one of our state’s most treasured games.

The ball is now in the court of the NJ and PA officials. Here’s hoping they don’t fold.