Connecticut could soon be the next state to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), which would allow online poker players to play against others in states like Michigan, New Jersey, and Nevada. Republican representative Tony Scott introduced a new bill last week that proposes authorizing online gaming operators to offer peer-to-peer poker across state lines. If passed, this would be a game-changer for Connecticut’s online poker scene, which has yet to see real money play despite its legalization in 2021.
Potential Growth of MSIGA
Connecticut has a population of 3.7 million, which would be a nice addition to the MSIGA’s already existing population of around 35 million. The five current member states are Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, and West Virginia. However, West Virginia has yet to launch real-money online poker, meaning its player pool is not yet contributing to shared liquidity.
The potential growth of MSIGA doesn’t stop with Connecticut. Pennsylvania is currently in the process of joining the agreement, which would significantly boost the shared player pool. It is unknown when they will join the union and share the tables with other states, but the rumors are that it could happen in the second quarter of 2025. Pennsylvania is the only state with active poker sites outside of MSIGA, and it has a population of 13 million.
A few other states are trying to legalize online poker this year, including Massachusetts (7.1 million), Indiana (7 million), Maryland (6.2 million), and New York (20 million). If these states manage to legalize poker and join the MSIGA union, their population would increase by more than 40 million people, which would more than double it.
Supporters of the Bill
During the public hearing, gaming industry leaders also spoke in favor of the bill. DraftKings Government Affairs Manager David Prestwood said, “DraftKings would like to state its support for the provision authorizing the Governor to enter into multijurisdictional agreements for peer-to-peer casino gaming. It is our hope that Connecticut will join the other members of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement to provide better gaming options for Connecticut residents and increase gaming revenue for the state.”
Connecticut Council also supported the bill with a written statement requiring online gambling providers to establish and publicize a toll-free customer service number and emphasized it as a vital part of the improvement that will have a positive impact.
Against the Bill
FanDuel’s Senior manager, Michael Ventre, was against the bill but said FanDuel would support it with a few language modifications of improper wagers, implying that “the way that the bill is written, the verbiage of the bill is too broad.”
“First, FanDuel is supportive of the provision authorizing the Governor to enter into agreements with other states for multi-jurisdictional Internet games such as poker,” Ventre continued saying. “We thank the committee for moving on this provision, with one asking that language be put into place to include territories outside the United States, like Canada, which is seeking to join the gaming compact.”
FanDuel is owned by Flutter International, the parent company of PokerStars. It is interesting to see them advocating for the inclusion of territories outside the U.S., such as Canada, in the MSIGA Union, while at the same time, PokerStars is closing operations in European markets.
You can watch the whole public hearing in the video below:
With Connecticut making moves toward MSIGA, the U.S. online poker landscape could be on the verge of significant expansion. If Pennsylvania follows through on its plans to join and other states like New York and Massachusetts push forward with legalization, the American online poker market could be heading for its biggest boom since the pre-Black Friday era.
