Online poker is evolving again. Interstate liquidity expanded in the US, Ontario’s ring-fenced market matured, and regulators in the UK and EU tightened consumer-protection rules that affect marketing and product design. Here’s a clean snapshot of what changed, where to play, and what to expect next.
TL;DR (for players & affiliates)
- US liquidity grew: Pennsylvania joined the interstate compact (MSIGA) in April 2025; WSOP now pools four states; BetRivers launched a four-state network and revived Delaware poker. [0]
- Ontario (Canada): Fully regulated and ring-fenced since April 4, 2022; operators must be registered with AGCO/iGaming Ontario. [1]
- UK: Financial vulnerability/risk checks pilot continues; phased changes from the White Paper are still rolling out. [2]
- EU highlights:
- Netherlands: ban on untargeted ads (since 1 Jul 2023) with further sponsorship restrictions and stricter oversight in 2025. [3]
- Germany: national licensing for online poker under the 2021 Interstate Treaty (GlüStV). [4]
- Italy: 2018 ad ban under review in 2025; changes likely to advertising/sponsorship rules. [5]
- Greece: regulated market; 21+ minimum age and strict KYC. [6]
United States: Interstate Poker Just Leveled Up
Where it stands (Oct 2025): The Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) allows member states to share player pools. Current members include Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware, Michigan, West Virginia, and (since Apr 2025) Pennsylvania. [7]
Key moves in 2024–2025
- WSOP Online became the first four-state shared-liquidity network (NV+NJ+MI+PA) in April 2025. [8]
- BetRivers Poker (RSI) launched a four-state network (PA+MI+WV+DE) on June 10, 2025, relaunching poker in Delaware after an 18-month blackout. [9]
- BetMGM expanded MI↔NJ shared liquidity in late 2024, and PokerStars continues MI↔NJ pooling (since Jan 2023). [10]
Why it matters: Bigger, multi-state pools mean more cash-game traffic and larger MTT prize pools. Expect further operator consolidation and occasional state additions to MSIGA as regulators get comfortable with cross-border compliance.
Canada (Ontario): Regulated, Ring-Fenced — and Growing Up
Ontario’s competitive iGaming market launched Apr 4, 2022 and remains ring-fenced (ON players play on Ontario-only sites). Operator entry requires AGCO registration and an iGaming Ontario agreement; the province continues to refine responsible-gambling standards in 2025. [11]
What to know:
- Multiple regulated poker rooms run Ontario-specific clients (separate from global pools).
- Talk of linking Ontario with US compacts surfaces periodically, but no formal step has been taken as of October 2025. (Industry lawyers say it’s legally “possible,” yet untested.) [12]
United Kingdom: White Paper → Live Rules, Ongoing Pilot
The UK continues implementing the Government’s Gambling White Paper via phased UKGC actions.
- Financial vulnerability checks (light-touch) began at £500 net deposits/30 days (Aug 2024), dropping to £150 (Feb 2025).
- Financial risk assessments (often mis-labeled “affordability checks”) are in a pilot; the Commission updated Stage-Two progress on May 21, 2025. [13]
Impact on poker: While many changes target casino/slots (e.g., design speed limits), operators are applying broader safer-gambling tooling across verticals. Expect continued tweaks to verification, monitoring, and marketing permissions in 2025–26.
European Union Snapshot
Netherlands (KSA)
- Ban on untargeted gambling advertising since July 1, 2023, with tighter sponsorship restrictions finalizing in 2025; the regulator has increased duty-of-care oversight. [14]
Germany (GlüStV 2021)
- Nationwide licensing for online poker with five-year licence terms under the Interstate Treaty; strict product and safer-gambling rules apply. [15]
Italy
- The 2018 Dignity Decree ad/sponsorship ban is under review in 2025; partial relaxation is being considered alongside a new licence tender. [16]
Greece (HGC)
- Regulated, with strong KYC and a 21+ age limit for online gambling; local licensing governs operators and marketing. [17]
Product & Ecology Trends You’ll Notice in 2025–26
- Shared liquidity is back in focus in the US, lifting MTT guarantees and off-peak traffic. (See WSOP and BetRivers four-state networks.) [18]
- Recreational-friendly design: more anonymous/pseudonymous seating, simplified lobbies, and in-client tracking/notes instead of third-party HUDs (operator-dependent).
- Compliance-first UX: clearer RG limits, enhanced behavioural monitoring, and marketing opt-ins as baseline.
Practical Notes for Players (and for your site copy)
- Play where it’s legal & licensed in your location. In the US, intrastate or MSIGA-pooled rooms are the safest path; in Ontario, use AGCO/iGO-authorized sites. [19]
- No VPN to bypass rules. You risk confiscations and bans; operators and regulators require geolocation/KYC.
- 21+ / 18+ age thresholds vary by country/state; Greece is 21+ online. [20]
What to Watch Next
- More MSIGA operators adding or expanding shared pools (e.g., PA integrations beyond WSOP). [21]
- Italy’s ad/sponsorship rule changes and new licence round outcomes. [22]
- UKGC pilot → policy decisions on frictionless risk checks. [23]
- Ontario: continued RG standard updates; any formal moves toward external liquidity (none yet). [24]
Sources (key references)
- UKGC: financial risk assessments pilot updates & staged changes (May 21, 2025; May 1, 2024). [25]
- MSIGA & shared liquidity: PA joins MSIGA (Apr 23, 2025); WSOP 4-state network (Apr 2025); BetRivers 4-state launch incl. Delaware relaunch (Jun 10, 2025). [26]
- Ontario market launch & standards (Apr 4, 2022; Registrar’s Standards, updated 2025). [27]
- Netherlands: ban on untargeted advertising; 2025 sponsorship crackdown. [28]
- Germany: online poker under GlüStV 2021. [29]
- Greece: 21+ online gambling age and KYC. [30]
Responsible Play
18+ / 21+ by region. Play legally and within your means. For help, use your local helpline or self‑exclusion tools.