The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) told PlayPennsylvania on Thursday that BetRivers has completed the necessary protocols to launch an online poker platform.
“There are no more steps; they are live,” PGCB Communications Director Doug Harbach said.
Now, the onus has been shifted to BetRivers, who can go live when it is ready. The Pennsylvania online poker industry would get a boost adding another platform. However, it’s still not part of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) just yet.
PGCB confirms completed testing phase
BetRivers began testing an online poker platform on Sept. 11, under the PGCB’s supervision, that just included invited players. Harbach explained, “On 9/17, we gave the go ahead for the poker product to be available to all BetRivers and PlaySugarHouse users.”
The operator has completed the necessary steps with the PGCB to go live. There is no timetable for when the operator will be ready. As of now, there is not a BetRivers poker-specific app in the PA iPhone App Store.
Once BetRivers moves forward with the launch, it’ll be the fifth poker platform in the Keystone State, joining:
- PokerStars
- BetMGM
- WSOP
- Borgata Poker
BetRivers did not respond to PlayPennsylvania request for a timeline at the time of publication.
What features could BetRivers poker app possess?
BetRivers Poker will feature many aspects of Phil Galfand’s now-defunct RunItOnce Poker (RIO) app. Most of those are player-focused and will enhance the experience for customers. Some of the top features include:
- Table aliases
- Dynamic avatars
- No HUDs allowed
- Auto-seating and fixed buy-ins
- Splash the Pot and other unique rewards systems
- StreamR rewards
- SNG Select
A new platform with key features will certainly boost the poker market in the Keystone State. However, the state would get a huge shot in the arm when it joins MSIGA.
Representative George Dunbar introduced a bill back in March that would put Pennsylvania into MSIGA with other states such as Michigan, New Jersey, Delaware, Nevada and West Virginia. However, there has been no movement on the bill since being introduced.
Dunbar had set a target date for the the end of the year, which is quickly approaching.
Even if it doesn’t happen this year, Pennsylvania joining MSIGA is more of a matter of when, and not if. When it does happen, customers are sure to benefit from larger prize pools. BetRivers poker would fit in nicely.
