West Virginia to Join Multi-State Online Poker Group

Article by : Erik Gibbs Nov 17, 2023

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West Virginia has officially become the fifth US state to endorse multi-state poker, joining the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) alongside Delaware, Michigan, Nevada and New Jersey. This compact facilitates real-money online poker and certain casino gaming.

Expressing his enthusiasm, gaming law attorney Jeff Ifrah, associated with Ifrah Law PLLC, welcomed the increased participation.

Former Indiana Senator Jon Ford, who served as president at the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS), praised West Virginia’s decision, considering it a sensible and strategic move.

Despite the official endorsement, the realization of online poker in West Virginia is still a few months away.

The absence of current operators for this vertical poses a delay, and operators must seek permission from the West Virginia Lottery Commission (WVLC) to launch multi-state poker.

Under West Virginia’s gaming laws, each of the state’s five land-based casinos is eligible to apply for an online casino license, with each casino allowed three iGaming skins.

This implies the potential for up to 15 online poker operators in the state, although the actual number is expected to be significantly fewer. Presently, only nine operators are active in the state, offering online casino and sports betting services.

Among the potential operators for online poker in West Virginia are BetMGM, PokerStars, Rush Street Interactive (RSI) and WSOP. However, representatives from these entities did not respond to inquiries on Tuesday.

The West Virginia Lottery Commission (WVLC) has expressed interest in joining the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) for over two years.

The regulator indicated that it would proceed with joining the compact if any of the nine operators currently active in the state expressed a desire to launch multi-state poker.

It remains uncertain whether one of West Virginia’s existing online operators spurred the state’s decision to join MSIGA. BetMGM, for instance, may introduce online poker in West Virginia, potentially linking it to player pools in Michigan and New Jersey.

Although these two sites are currently separate, efforts are believed to be underway to connect them.

PokerStars is another contender that could launch online poker in the state, either through FanDuel’s association with the Greenbrier Resort or by forming a new partnership with Mountaineer Casino.

The possibility exists for PokerStars to unite its West Virginia player pool with the established shared network spanning Michigan and New Jersey.

RSI is in the process of developing its Run It Once (RIO) online poker platform, anticipating a launch by early 2024. The Chicago-based operator might opt for a three-state network encompassing Delaware, New Jersey and West Virginia.

WSOP, operating under the Mountaineer license through its parent company Caesars, could also enter the West Virginia market.

There is potential for WSOP to establish a four-state network, including Michigan, New Jersey and Nevada, although it has yet to connect its player pools in Michigan and New Jersey.