In a groundbreaking move, West Virginia has become the fifth state to join a multi-state online poker compact, allowing players from different states to compete against each other on virtual tables. This decision comes as a major victory for online gaming advocates, who have long been pushing for such partnerships to help boost revenues and player pools.
The compact, known as the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, was initially signed by Nevada and Delaware in 2014, and later joined by New Jersey and Pennsylvania. This agreement allows players in these states to participate in online poker games together, increasing the number of players and the size of the prize pools.
With the addition of West Virginia to the compact, online poker players in the state will now have access to a larger player base and a wider range of games to choose from. This is expected to increase the popularity of online poker in West Virginia and attract more players to the virtual tables.
Governor Jim Justice expressed his support for the decision, stating that it will help generate additional revenue for the state and create new opportunities for online gaming companies. “Joining the multi-state online poker compact is a smart move for West Virginia,” he said. “It will bring in more players and boost our state’s gaming industry.”
In addition to increasing revenues, the compact is also expected to have a positive impact on the online gaming industry as a whole. By allowing players from different states to compete against each other, the compact will help create a more competitive and dynamic online gaming environment, attracting more players and driving up interest in online poker.
Industry experts believe that more states will soon follow in West Virginia’s footsteps and join the multi-state online poker compact. This could lead to a domino effect, with more states signing on and creating a larger and more interconnected online gaming network.
Overall, the decision by West Virginia to join the multi-state online poker compact is a significant development for the state’s gaming industry and the online gaming community as a whole. It is expected to bring in more players, increase revenues, and create a more vibrant and competitive online gaming environment.