"I feel like more has happened in US online poker in the last year than the prior 10." – Nick Jones
In this episode, I welcome back Nick Jones, co-founder of Poker Industry Pro and PokerFuse, to discuss the dynamic shifts in the US online poker landscape over the past year.
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Jones highlights a resurgence in online poker, noting more activity in the last year than the previous decade, driven by increased shared liquidity, new operator launches, and more competition.
Jones and I spent considerable time on Pennsylvania’s recent entry into the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), enabling shared player pools with states like New Jersey, Michigan, and Nevada. This move, long delayed by regulatory inertia stemming from Wire Act concerns, marks a significant step forward. Jones also discusses the launch of BetRivers Poker (nee Phil Galfond’s Run It Once Poker), which, while currently limited to Pennsylvania, shows promise for multi-state expansion.
We also explore competitive dynamics, with WSOP, BetMGM, and PokerStars leading, BetRivers as the upstart, and DraftKings dipping its toe with Electric Poker.
Jones also addresses challenges, like Nevada’s stagnant market and the untapped potential in states like Connecticut, West Virginia, and Delaware, where poker is legal but relaunched. Looking ahead to 2026, he predicts expanded multi-state networks and hopes for increased competition, possibly involving Canada’s Ontario or Alberta (an idea I threw out).
The episode underscores poker’s unique position in the gaming industry, the tension between legalization efforts (almost nil) and consumer demand (incredibly high), and the pivotal role of events like the World Series of Poker in sustaining momentum.
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