Gambling in the USA
World Series of Poker Online Expands into Pennsylvania

The World Series of Poker® (WSOP®) is officially live online in Pennsylvania following a successful field trial and approval from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, opening up the world’s most iconic poker platform, WSOP.com, to players in the Keystone State for the first time.
In celebration, the platform is launching with special sign up promotions, newly announced bracelet events and weekly tournaments for Pennsylvania players, and daily satellites with buy-ins as low as $1 that provide an opportunity to win a seat at the crown jewel of poker tournaments, The Main Event in Las Vegas this fall.
The World Series of Poker makes its grand entrance into Pennsylvania by providing the most value to players on their platform, putting money back into players’ pockets and hosting tournaments with huge prize pools and low buy-ins. WSOP.com sign-ups come with more free play than market competitors, higher deposit matches for first-timers, and exclusive access to official WSOP events and tournaments.
“We are thrilled to be opening up WSOP.com to the state of Pennsylvania,” said Ty Stewart, SVP of the World Series of Poker at Caesars Entertainment. “The real winners in this expansion are the players who join us at WSOP.com. Our team is laser-focused on providing the most value to poker players in the state and are confident in the potential of our online poker product. With our industry best sign up promotions and the special bracelet series catered specifically to players in Pennsylvania, we welcome all players, from the casuals to the professionals and everyone in between.”
Newly Announced Pennsylvania WSOP Online Bracelet Series
Adding onto the previously announced WSOP Online bracelet schedule from Sunday, July 1 – Sunday, Aug. 1, the action heats up with a slate of newly announced daily bracelet events for players in Pennsylvania from Sunday, Aug. 8 – Sunday, Aug. 15, dealing out more chances to win an official WSOP bracelet online.
Getting Started
The wait for online poker is over for Pennsylvanians, and WSOP.com is making it worth the wait with offers and events for poker players of all levels. To get started, players must be physically located in Pennsylvania and register for an online account by visiting WSOP.com/start. Players can deposit funds and begin taking advantage of special promotions on their mobile or desktop devices. Once signed up, players can link to their Caesars Rewards account, where every hand played earns points toward unforgettable dining, entertainment, and hospitality experiences across the Caesars Entertainment enterprise including Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack, where players can visit the property to withdraw and deposit funds at the cage.
Free Play and Freeroll Promotions
Pennsylvania players are invited to capture the benefits of the Welcome Offer, the most valuable poker deposit promotion on the table. Available now, players who deposit a minimum of $10 into their account will be rewarded with $50 in free play, a 100% match on all deposits up to $1,000, and 7 freeroll tickets into the Welcome Week Freerolls. First time depositors who make a deposit by Sunday, Aug. 15 will also receive a ticket to participate in an exclusive $50,000 Depositors Freeroll on Sunday, Aug. 22. The Freeroll will award three seats to the WSOP Main Event – two seats to the top tournament finishers, and one seat from a randomly selected drawing of all players that entered.
The Ultimate Poker Experience
To prioritize Pennsylvania players in the launch of WSOP.com in the state, a variety of special events and tournaments are being offered daily throughout the summer.
- BLAST Poker – Starting Monday, July 12, BLAST poker debuts in Pennsylvania where players have a chance to win their share of up to $300,000 in a matter of minutes. Players can win up to 10,000x their buy-in amount in this a lightning fast three-handed game that starts when three players enter in this Sit and Go format.
- WSOP Satellites – Only on WSOP.com can players win a full package to play in live WSOP events including the 2021 Main Event in Las Vegas, for as little as $1 and special Main Event Freerolls. Visit the promotions page for more information on MEGA satellite structures and schedules.
- Sunday $75,000 Guarantee – Beginning Sunday, July 18, this flagship tournament will award a guaranteed payout of $75,000 with a $215 buy-in beginning at 4 p.m. every Sunday.
In 2020, WSOP Online smashed several records for an online poker festival, both domestically and internationally. The domestic series generated prize pools totaling $26,871,265 across 31 bracelet events, with an average of more than $865,000 per tournament, making it by far the largest series held in regulated U.S. markets.
WSOP.com proudly welcomes poker players in Pennsylvania in 2021, joining Nevada and New Jersey as states where WSOP.com online poker operates. In Pennsylvania, competition will be exclusive to other players within the state. Out-of-state players are welcome to travel to regulated states to participate but are encouraged to test their account and geolocation services in advance of any event to avoid problems with registration.
WSOP reserves the right to cancel, change or modify the tournament or any tournament event, in part or in whole, without notice.
Gambling in the USA
California Gambling Control Commission Advances Licensing, Tribal Partnerships, and Responsible Gaming Initiatives

Sacramento, CA — In a meeting packed with regulatory updates and licensing decisions, the California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) convened on April 24 to advance numerous agenda items impacting the state’s gambling landscape—from tribal gaming approvals to responsible gambling programs and operator renewals.
Problem Gambling & Public Health Takes the Stage
The Commission meeting opened with a presentation by Sosha Marasigan-Quintero from the California Department of Public Health, offering an overview and update on the California Problem Gambling Treatment Services Program. While no specific staff recommendations were provided, the update underscores California’s continued focus on behavioral health in gambling.
Tribal Revenue Distribution Approved
The Commission approved the quarterly distribution of payments from the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund to eligible recipient Indian Tribes. This routine, yet vital, procedure ensures the equitable distribution of revenue to support tribal sovereignty and infrastructure across the state.
Cardroom Licensing: Approvals and Extensions
Among key licensing matters:
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500 Club Casino (K & M Casinos, Inc.) received both initial and renewal owner-type license approvals through January 2027.
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Casino Chico, Hollywood Park Casino, and Lake Bowl Cardroom were granted renewals and short-term extensions, some with conditions such as improving record-keeping systems or ensuring regulatory compliance ahead of reopening.
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Hotel Del Rio & Casino was granted a 60-day extension under several strict conditions, including updated safety plans and the restatement of commingled financial records.
Key Employee Licensing Actions
The Commission approved several initial and renewal key employee licenses. Notably:
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Jeffrey Thompson was approved with a condition prohibiting involvement in illegal gambling activities.
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Kevin Lee and George Rahme received 120-day extensions for renewal processing.
Third-Party Proposition Player Services Under Scrutiny
The Commission approved both initial and temporary licenses for Fortune Players Group, Inc., with a lengthy list of conditions tied to the conduct of a former associate, Rene Medina. These conditions highlight the Commission’s ongoing vigilance in monitoring third-party player services and maintaining compliance across operations.
Progressive Gaming, LLC was also approved for an initial license, further expanding third-party service provider capacity.
Gaming Resource Suppliers & Tribal Approvals
Initial suitability findings for several prominent tribal gaming resource suppliers were approved, including:
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HCAL, LLC
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JCM Global
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Konami Gaming, Inc.
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PDS Gaming, LLC
Dozens of tribal gaming employees were also approved for key positions at tribal casinos across California, reflecting the Commission’s continued support of tribal gaming operations and the necessary workforce to support it.
Notable Withdrawals and Denials
In two notable cases, requests to withdraw license applications—Josephine Hoang and Jesus Bojorquez—were denied, signaling the Commission’s increased scrutiny and emphasis on applicant accountability.
A Broader Look Ahead
With regulatory reform on the horizon and ongoing efforts to promote responsible gaming, the April 2025 CGCC meeting showcased a mix of routine license management and deeper engagement with emerging compliance issues. As the Commission prepares for the next quarter, the groundwork laid in this session will likely influence policy developments and enforcement trends across California’s gambling sector.
Gambling in the USA
NEW YORK CASINO IN MEXICO WELCOMES CONCEPT AND NEW GAMES FROM ZITRO

The renowned Mexican operator Logrand has installed Zitro’s new CONCEPT cabinets and a selection of its latest games at the New York Casino in Monterrey.
Building on its global success, the CONCEPT cabinet line stands out for its Magic Lighting, immersing players in a synchronized light display, resulting in a unique sensory experience. Furthermore, the cabinet’s large Screen Deck blends comfort with intuitive functionality, optimizing the experience for players and operational teams.
The installation of the CONCEPT cabinets is complemented by the addition of the medieval-themed multi-game Legendary Sword, in which players can double their prizes through unique mechanics with the help of a magic sword.
On the other hand, Fairyland Quest takes players to an enchanted forest where Magic Mushrooms give access to a different bonus each, while a friendly Fairy will give a special bonus that doubles the playing area.
Juan David Baracaldo, Director of Operations and Product, highlighted: “The addition of Zitro’s CONCEPT cabinets is a great step to continue offering unique and high-quality experiences to our players. The unique combination of technology, spectacular graphics, and the experience these cabinets offer will further elevate our casino’s entertainment offering.”
For his part, Johnny Ortiz Viveiros, founder of Zitro, expressed: “We are very excited to strengthen our partnership with Logrand, a strategic partner that shares our vision of providing exceptional gaming experiences. The new CONCEPT cabinets and games like Legendary Sword and Fairyland Quest are just the beginning of what will transform how players enjoy entertainment.”
Gambling in the USA
Sky River Casino Guest Wins Half-million Dollars Playing Progressive Blackjack

Sky River Casino has announced that an Elk Grove resident has won a whopping $511,311 while playing progressive blackjack on March 31, 2025. The Sky River Rewards member hit the big win after playing the table game for less than an hour.
“Our progressive table games and slot machines continue to be really hot here at Sky River Casino. Our players have had an impressive number of life-changing jackpots and our winning streak continues. We look forward to the next big win and welcome adults near and far to visit to explore and enjoy our high-energy atmosphere, lively promotions, exciting gaming, and unparalleled dining experiences,” said Michael J. Facenda, President of Sky River Casino.
The lucky local guest plans to use her winnings to renovate a kitchen and build a house back home.
“Without question, the best part of my job is watching our valued members and guests experience jaw dropping wins like this one. We all share in the incredible excitement that is absolutely contagious and can be felt throughout the casino,” said Charleen Ripley, VP of Casino Operations for Sky River Casino.
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