The newly opened iGaming market in the state of Pennsylvania is expected to benefit and expand its offering with two new casino brands, MGM and Golden Nugget.
As fourth in line of U.S. states licensing online gaming practices, the state is bound to follow in the footsteps of Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware. While this means that Pennsylvania enthusiasts should expect to benefit from a unique gameplay experience, some proven names and titles wouldn’t hurt the industry as well.
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Licenses
The end of the summer saw the close of the application process for Pennsylvania casino establishments wanting to obtain a gambling license. All thirteen casinos, 12 in operation and the last one still in construction, were eligible to enter their application and make their online casino platform available to Pennsylvania players.
Alternatively, October’s closing dates were also the last days of application for out-of-state casino establishments. Under the definition of “qualified gaming entities”, such online casino operators were given the opportunity to apply for a maximum of 11 licenses – three for slots games, another three licenses for table games offering, and five for online poker rooms.
Which Games Did MGM and Gold Nugget Apply For?
So far MGM and Golden Nugget are the only two outside companies that submitted applications. MGM barely managed to fit into the deadline with a $12 million application submitted on October 29th. Each license costs these “qualified gaming entities” a full $4 million, meaning MGM has the intention to provide all three gaming formats.
Golden Nugget, on the other hand, stopped at online casinos, slots, and table games. This is rather justifiable, considering that it makes up a third of the gaming revenue in New Jersey, and double that of MGM for September alone. While MGM is likely to boost its traffic and profit via this interstate platform, the Golden Nugget online casino platform is looking to retain its lead rank.
Online Game Selection for Pennsylvania Players
The entrance of two widely renowned casino operators offering both a land-based and online platform is all good news for Pennsylvania state players. While their local casinos promise quality gameplay action, the MGM poker tables definitely make a difference.
Still, it is the Golden Nugget live dealer game selection which is likely to have the greatest impact on the Pennsylvania game offering. It was initially released on the online casino platform and includes games such as Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, and Casino Hold’em.
At this point, both MGM and Golden Nugget have only made their applications. Permissions have not yet been granted by the board. Should the two be granted licenses, there would still be one remaining permit each for online slots and table games.
