Your All-in-One Guide to Online Poker in the US

The World Series of Poker Circuit is once again returning to Atlantic City after five years, and this is only fitting because Atlantic City is where the tour began over 15 years ago. The WSOP Circuit is taking place in Harrah's Atlantic City, and it will be from August 14 until August 25.

The World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOP-C) is making a long-anticipated return to Atlantic City this summer, marking a triumphant homecoming for one of poker's most prestigious tournament tours. Caesars Entertainment announced Monday that the iconic event will once again take place at Harrah's Resort Atlantic City - the site of the very first WSOP Circuit stop nearly two decades ago.

Back to its roots

Harrah's Atlantic City, a staple of the city's Marina District, will welcome players from around the globe for the WSOP-C event running from Thursday, the 14th of August, through Monday, the 25th of August, 2025. This marks the Circuit's first appearance in Atlantic City since 2020, when it was abruptly halted due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

"We are thrilled to welcome back the prestigious World Series of Poker Circuit to Harrah's Resort and the unmatched energy, excitement, and talent it brings," stated Senior Vice President and General Manager at Harrah's Atlantic City, Gregg Klein. "Hosting this iconic event reinforces our commitment to delivering premier gaming experiences and positions us as a top destination for esteemed players and poker fans alike."

A historic legacy

The WSOP Circuit was launched in January 2005 as a way to extend the excitement of the annual Las Vegas WSOP tournament throughout the year and across the country. Its inaugural stop was at Harrah's Atlantic City, making the resort a historic landmark in poker lore.

At that first event, Canadian player Nghi Tran claimed victory in the $9,500 + $500 No-Limit Hold'em Championship, walking away with a prize amounting to $780,615 after outlasting a field of 249 total entries.

From 2005 to 2020, Atlantic City was a regular destination on the WSOP Circuit calendar, drawing thousands of players and fans each year. The return of the event to its birthplace is being seen as a symbolic full circle moment for the poker world.

New look, same prestige

Since the Circuit's last visit, Harrah's has undergone extensive renovations. Caesars highlighted that all hotel rooms and suites have been modernized, enhancing the resort experience for guests. The property boasts an array of attractions including the nightlife hotspot The Pool After Dark, a state-of-the-art spa, and several high-profile dining options featuring celebrity chefs such as Gordon Ramsay, Bobby Flay, Guy Fieri, and Buddy Valastro.

The poker room at Harrah's, containing 28 tables, remains one of the busiest in the region, offering a wide variety of games and daily tournaments. It operates nearly around the clock, with extended weekend hours catering to serious grinders and casual players alike.

What's next for the WSOP Circuit

The Atlantic City stop is part of the 2025-26 WSOP Circuit season, which will kick off in late July following the conclusion of the annual WSOP in Las Vegas, held at the Horseshoe and Paris casinos. The full schedule of Circuit stops is expected to be released in the coming weeks.

Despite the WSOP's sale to NSUS Group last year - a $500 million deal combining cash and a promissory note - Caesars retains operational control of both the WSOP Circuit and the flagship Las Vegas tournament. NSUS, the parent company of GGPoker and GGNetwork, has agreed to allow Caesars continued usage of the WSOP brand for at least the next 20 years.

As part of the agreement, Caesars properties will enjoy preferential rights to host WSOP-C events, ensuring that Harrah’s Atlantic City is likely to remain a key stop on the tour for years to come.

For poker players and fans in the Northeast, the return of the WSOP Circuit to Atlantic City is more than just another tournament - it's a homecoming. With upgraded accommodations, premier gaming, and a legacy that stretches back to poker's modern beginnings, Harrah's is all set to deliver an unforgettable experience.

The state of Pennsylvania has now joined New Jersey, Michigan, Delaware, Nevada, and West Virginia in the MSIGA. The Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement for the game of poker has existed for a number of years, but it is only now that Pennsylvania has come into the fold, with the move designed to give more freedom and choices to over 150K poker players in the state.

Governor Josh Shapiro today announced a major expansion in Pennsylvania’s online gaming market, officially signing an agreement to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, or MSIGA. This strategic move allows the Commonwealth to become the sixth member of the shared internet poker network, offering more choice, freedom, competition, and economic opportunity for Pennsylvania's estimated 150,000 online poker players.

A major step forward for online poker players

By joining the MSIGA, Pennsylvania aligns with the states of Michigan, New Jersey, Delaware, Nevada, and West Virginia, enabling online poker players across state lines to compete against one another on shared platforms. This agreement increases the combined pool of players by more than 50% and creates the largest single market for regulated online poker in the United States, encompassing more than 38 million residents. Governor Shapiro called the decision a 'commonsense step' that balances consumer freedom with smart economic growth.

"This is a commonsense step to support hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians, grow our economy, and bring in more revenue to support our schools, our seniors, our small businesses, and more," stated Governor Shapiro. He continued, "Three of our neighbors are already part of this agreement - and with this action today, we're making sure Pennsylvania remains competitive in a rapidly growing online market."

Benefits to players and the economy

For players, joining the multi-state network means access to larger tournament prize pools, increased player competition, and a more dynamic online experience - all without raising the cost of entry. Games will be hosted on licensed, fair, and thoroughly tested platforms, ensuring integrity and player protection.

Poker players across the Commonwealth have long advocated for MSIGA membership. Advocates cited improved competition, better protections for players, stronger support for smaller online operators, and a way to combat unregulated and illegal gambling as key motivations.

Pennsylvania's online poker platforms, including PA Borgata Online and BetMGM, will begin offering multi-state poker games starting on the 28th of April, 2025, with additional operators expected to launch shortly thereafter.

Strengthening Pennsylvania's gaming sector

With 22 licensed online gaming platforms and 17 retail casinos, Pennsylvania's gaming industry employs more than 15,000 people and stands as a cornerstone of the Commonwealth's economy. Legalized gambling in Pennsylvania generates nearly $2.7 billion annually in tax revenue, ranking it first in the nation among commercial gaming states.

These revenues are funneled back into communities in a variety of impactful ways - from reductions in school property taxes to agricultural community investments to grants for local projects across all 67 counties.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board will oversee the integration of the multi-state poker system, working closely with other state regulators and online operators to ensure a smooth and secure rollout.

Maintaining momentum in a competitive market

As more states modernize and expand their online gaming frameworks, Pennsylvania's move to join MSIGA is viewed as both a strategic and timely decision. With neighboring states like New Jersey, Michigan, and West Virginia already enjoying the benefits of shared liquidity pools, today's agreement ensures Pennsylvania remains a leader in regulated online gaming in the United States.

For the Commonwealth's poker enthusiasts and for its growing digital economy, the future is now significantly brighter. For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board website or follow updates from the Governor's Office.

Just like the Venetian, which has moved its poker room off its casino floor, Planet Hollywood and Caesars Palace are reportedly following suit. According to reliable sources, Caesars Palace will open a new poker room inside the shops of the Appian Way, and this poker room will be half the size of its predecessor. Meanwhile, Planet Hollywood is also relocating its poker room in a previous event space, but it will double in size compared to its former poker room.

Caesars Entertainment is breathing new life into two of its shuttered poker rooms, announcing plans to reopen poker facilities at Planet Hollywood and Caesars Palace this spring. The move comes amid a trend of Las Vegas casinos rethinking the location and scale of their poker operations in an era increasingly dominated by slot machine revenue.

Caesars Palace's brand-new poker space

According to reliable reports, Caesars Palace will unveil its new poker room on May 16 in a repurposed retail area within the Appian Way Shops. This upscale shopping corridor, located near the iconic Statue of David replica and Gordon Ramsay's Pub & Grill, is about five minutes from the main casino floor. Unlike its previous locations - both embedded within the casino - this poker room will be entirely off the gaming floor.

The newly redesigned Caesars Palace poker room will feature just eight tables, making it half the size of its most recent predecessor. Despite the reduced footprint, there is potential for future expansion if the location proves successful in drawing steady foot traffic. This marks a significant downscale from the poker room's original incarnation, which once boasted a sprawling 63-table layout opposite the sportsbook before closing in 2014. The room was later moved to a smaller space near the Colosseum, with only 16 to 18 tables, before closing again in August 2024.

At the time of its closure, Caesars had promised a temporary shutdown to make way for renovations in the high-limit slots area, with expectations of reopening within 90 days. However, that space has since been converted to accommodate lower-limit slots, casting doubt on poker's long-term value on the prime casino floor.

Planet Hollywood's reorganization revealed

In tandem with Caesars Palace's revival, Planet Hollywood's poker room is also set to return - this time with a larger and more ambitious setup. Closed since July 2021, the new Planet Hollywood poker room will more than double the size of its former operation. Set to open on May 2, it will occupy the former London Club space, a 4,800-square-foot private event area on the mezzanine level, just across from the wedding chapel.

Unlike its original 10 to 12-table room located in the high-visibility Pleasure Pit area, the new venue will host 23 tables - 12 dedicated to cash games - while still offering a view of the casino floor below. The London Club space, dormant since the pandemic, was previously used for private parties and corporate events.

A decline in popularity

These strategic relocations reflect a growing trend among Vegas casinos, where poker is increasingly being moved away from high-revenue real estate. Following a similar move by the Venetian last August, which relocated its poker room to the Grand Canal Shoppes' second floor, Caesars appears to be prioritizing higher-yield gaming options like slot machines on its casino floors.

While poker once enjoyed a meteoric rise during the early 2000s boom, the game has seen a steady decline in Las Vegas. Since the market began contracting around 2012, more than 40 poker rooms have permanently closed in the city. As of now, only 17 poker rooms remain operational. The most recent casualty was the Sahara's room, which closed in November 2024 - making it the seventh Strip poker room to fold in just five years.

Despite poker's lower profit margins - relying on a modest "rake" rather than house-vs-player odds - its cultural significance and loyal player base still give it a place in the Las Vegas gaming landscape. With Caesars' latest move, fans of the felt will soon have two more places to play, albeit a bit further from the action.