To celebrate the first anniversary of Pennsylvania’s regulated market, PokerStars will be hosting a special tournament that will draw poker players across the nation. There is a prize pool of $1 million to be shared in at least 35 events that will run for one week, starting from November 8 and ending on November 16. Pennsylvania’s anniversary series will mark PokerStars’ seventh online tournament in the region. It is also important to note that $1 satellites started running from as early as November 2 in preparation for the main event.
PokerStars have maintained a steady market share in the region, amidst speculations of rival companies coming to launch in Pennsylvania. As a show of gratitude to the regional poker community, the Main Event’s entry is $100 for a guaranteed $200,000 cash prize. There is a $20 mini-main event with up to $25,000 guaranteed in cash prizes.
How to Participate in Pennsylvania’s Anniversary Series Tournament
While anyone who is of legal gambling age is eligible to participate, players must be within Pennsylvania’s state lines to access PokerStars’ real money poker platform. Participants must also have valid playing accounts. For new users, there will be a $30 no deposit welcoming bonus. The special bonus can boost your bankroll into the tournament or any other game activities available on the site.
Other Tournaments That PokerStars Hosted in Pennsylvania
Within the last year, PokerStars enjoyed a cordial relationship with the poker community thanks to the many online tournaments it throws their way. Some of these successful tournaments include PennsylMANIA, Hot turbos, Sunday Special tournament, and the daily Bounty Builders. Bounty Builders is a progressive knockout tournament where players get bounties on them once they eliminate each other.
PokerStars Appears to Thrive Amidst Challenges
Generally, the gambling industry is adversely hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. In September, the Pennsylvania regulated poker market, which is dominated by PokerStars, generated $2.4 million only in revenues.
The company was lucky to get an uptick of cash game traffic from the Pennsylvania Championship of Online Poker (PACOOP), which presumably cushioned the operator from experiencing the worse. Last week, PokerStars was among other leading operators who refunded players after an interruption of geolocation services.
Is the Online Poker Monopoly in the Keystone State Ending?
PokerStars’ success largely attributes to the fact that the company enjoyed a competition-free market for a year now. However, that monopoly status might soon change as Pennsylvania Gaming Board recently approved 888’s license.
Therefore, it is just a matter of time before 888 launches WSOP.com and 888poker online platforms in the region. This move will likely open up the region’s online gambling market to other competitive operators who have eyed it for the last three years.
While most players enjoy the current monopoly platform, there is high anticipation for the coming of a second poker room. Multiple operators are already doing well in the neighboring state of New Jersey, which has about 38% less population than Pennsylvania.
Since the Pennsylvania market is still making less revenue than New Jersey’s, it is probably high time for the Pennsylvania Gaming Board to allow other operators into the region to diversify products and markets. That way, more people will bet, hence more revenue.