BetMGM Poker announced that it’s going to combine player pools from New Jersey and Michigan beginning on Wednesday. The two states are part of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA).
Multiple sources have reported the new development. BetMGM hasn’t responded to immediate requests for conformation from PlayNJ. BetMGM Poker’s website and app were both down for maintenance on Wednesday morning as it was working to “enhance your experience.”
This is big news for NJ online poker players, who get to experience more competition with larger prize money on the line.
BetMGM Poker becomes the third platform in the Garden State to offer shared tables in Michigan, joining PokerStars and WSOP.
BetMGM able to offer larger player pools in MI, NJ
Poker players in the Garden State wanting to compete with Michiganders now have three different platforms to choose from. BetMGM’s emergence certainly raises the bar for the operator, and the industry as a whole.
New Jersey players are going to benefit from playing new players in Michigan, which, in turn, triggers larger prize pools for winners.
As of now, New Jersey players are only able to play with Michigan and Nevada players. West Virginia and Delaware are also part of MSIGA, but do not have poker platforms up and running, yet.
The next to join should be Pennsylvania , which could do so before the end of the year.
Pennsylvania addition on the horizon for multi-state poker
Pennsylvania is the larger state among New Jersey and Michigan, but is behind both markets because it’s not yet part of MSIGA. However, that’s about to change, as Gov. Josh Shapiro has instructed the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) to start negotiating its way in the compact.
At this point, the Keystone State entering MSIGA is a matter of when, not if. That would change the entire online poker landscape for states involved in the compact.
BetMGM would reap the benefits instantly, with a platform that has already launched in the Keystone State. That would mean shared player pools between New Jersey, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
PA would likely re-take the top poker spot in the market. However, New Jersey players shouldn’t care, as the player pools and prize money is going to be that much bigger for them.
