BetMGM Cleared for Multi-State Poker Liquidity Pooling

BetMGM has achieved a major milestone in online poker by securing authorization to combine player pools across Michigan and New Jersey. With this approval, BetMGM can now offer players larger prize pools, more game variety, and an enriched gaming experience through shared liquidity. This move, in line with the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), positions BetMGM to expand its poker offerings across state lines, capturing the growing demand for multi-state poker and reshaping the online gaming landscape.

BetMGM Approved for Shared Poker Liquidity Pooling in Michigan and New Jersey

In a landmark move for online poker, BetMGM has received approval from the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) to merge poker liquidity pools between Michigan and New Jersey. This authorization, granted on November 6, allows BetMGM to combine player pools in both states, paving the way for larger tournaments, diverse game selections, and bigger prize pools that promise an elevated experience for poker enthusiasts.

The approval falls under the framework of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), an interstate gaming compact designed to enhance liquidity for online poker by enabling player-sharing across multiple jurisdictions. Currently, MSIGA includes five states: Michigan, New Jersey, Delaware, Nevada, and West Virginia, with Pennsylvania reportedly in talks to join. This network allows operators like BetMGM to offer multi-state games, drawing a larger player base and boosting overall liquidity—a major factor in the growth of online poker since the pre-regulated poker boom of the early 2000s.

Key Highlights of BetMGM’s Multi-State Poker Expansion

1. Boosting Player Liquidity and Game Options
   With the shared liquidity arrangement, BetMGM can now offer Michigan and New Jersey players a richer online poker experience. By combining player pools, BetMGM introduces more robust cash games and tournaments with higher prize pools, fulfilling a long-standing request from poker communities in both states. For players, this means shorter wait times for games, a greater selection of tournaments, and more competitive prize structures. Angus Nisbet, BetMGM’s VP of Gaming, highlighted the importance of this step: “With the introduction of shared liquidity, we’ve listened to players’ desire for more games and larger prize pools.”
2. Variety of Poker Games Now Available
   BetMGM’s multi-state authorization covers several popular poker variants, including No Limit Hold’em, Fixed Limit Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha Hi, Pot Limit Omaha Hi-Lo, Fixed Limit 7-Card Stud Hi, and Fixed Limit 7-Card Stud Hi-Lo. These game options create a diverse offering that caters to different poker skill levels and playing styles. Additionally, BetMGM is required to submit any new games to the MGCB for approval, ensuring that offerings remain compliant with Michigan’s gaming regulations. This added variety marks a significant expansion for BetMGM, meeting player demand for diverse and challenging poker formats.
3. Michigan’s Growing Role in the Multi-State Poker Network
   Michigan’s involvement in MSIGA, which began in May 2022, has been instrumental in expanding the online poker ecosystem. By joining forces with established states like New Jersey, Michigan has contributed to creating one of the largest legal poker networks in the United States. Henry Williams, MGCB’s executive director, emphasized the benefits of this arrangement, stating, “This authorization represents a significant step forward in the development of online gaming within our state boundaries.” He added that the partnership with BetMGM would enhance the gaming experience for Michigan players and stimulate growth in the state’s burgeoning online gaming market.

The Broader Impact of Shared Liquidity in Online Poker

The authorization granted to BetMGM underscores the growing importance of shared liquidity in the U.S. online poker market. By pooling players across state lines, operators can offer more dynamic games with increased prize pools, mirroring the experience of the global poker platforms from the early 2000s. The MSIGA framework has created the largest legal poker liquidity pool since those early days, drawing players back to regulated platforms and stimulating local economies.

BetMGM’s entry into the multi-state network follows Caesar’s recent launch of a three-state poker pool under the rebranded WSOP Online. As more states consider joining MSIGA, the shared liquidity model could soon expand, potentially leading to one of the most robust regulated poker ecosystems in the world.

With this authorization, BetMGM is well-positioned to capitalize on the benefits of shared liquidity between Michigan and New Jersey. By merging player pools, BetMGM is creating a more engaging poker experience, complete with bigger prizes, a wider selection of games, and a dynamic playing environment. This development signifies a broader trend in online poker towards multi-state collaboration, offering U.S. players a more competitive and accessible platform. As Michigan and New Jersey players join forces on BetMGM’s platform, this milestone marks a significant evolution in regulated online poker, paving the way for future growth and innovation in the industry.