Caesars Interactive is readying its WSOP.com online poker site for launch in Pennsylvania after receiving an online gaming license from state regulators.
“We’re very bullish on the offering online gaming provides our guests and are excited for the opportunity Pennsylvania presents,” said Melanie Gross, CIE’s vice president of online casino, in a press release. “We have a wealth of knowledge and experience from our six years in the online gaming space in the U.S. and believe we’ll be able to hit the ground running in Pennsylvania when online gaming commences in the state.”
Along with online poker, officials said they will offer online casino games as well. In New Jersey, Caesars Interactive offers online casino games through Caesarscasino.com and Harrahscasino.com.
“CIE will utilize its previous experience in Nevada and New Jersey to ensure a smooth and successful launch into the Keystone State when online gaming commences in the state,” the release said. “It is expected the Caesars Casino and World Series of Poker brands will be among those launching in Pennsylvania after satisfaction of all “go live” conditions.”
While Caesars officials said they hope to have the site up and running quickly, it’s unclear how long it will take before state regulators clear any site for live play. By example, in neighboring New Jersey it took several months between the first online gaming licenses being issued in 2013 and sites then going live in November of that year.
Caesars currently accepts live betting at WSOP.com in Nevada and New Jersey. Those two states—along with Delaware where WSOP partner 888 Poker operates—currently share online poker player pools. WSOP.com would clearly love to add Pennsylvania—with its 12 million residents—to that player sharing agreement.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Board also approved online gaming applications from Parx Casino and Mount Airy casino.
Mount Airy has already announced a partnership with the Stars Group to provide online poker through its PokerStars brand, as well as online casino and eventually sports betting. PokerStars also operates in New Jersey.
The board has said it has received licensing applications from 11 of Pennsylvania’s 13 casinos, all of which are expected to be approved.
In another story, In the third month of regulated daily fantasy sports in Pennsylvania, DraftKings collected about $10,000 more than its primary competitor FanDuel. DraftKings brought in $437,108.24 revenue while FanDuel brought in $427,451.31.
The two companies accounted for more than 98 percent of all daily fantasy revenue collected.
