DraftKings Links Multi-State Online Poker Network With Michigan

Online poker players on DraftKings should see more robust tables after the iGaming platform secured regulatory approval in Michigan to link rooms with New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

On Monday (July 13), the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) announced its authorization for DraftKings to share player liquidity across its online poker rooms operating in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. DraftKings operates its iGaming platform in Michigan through a partnership with the Bay Mills Indian Community, which owns the Bay Mills Resort & Casino in Brimley.

“This approval reflects the strength of our partnership with Bay Mills Indian Community and the thoroughness of our regulatory process,” said MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams. “As Michigan’s multistate poker network continues to grow, we remain focused on ensuring every operator meets the same high bar for fairness, security, and player protection.”

Player liquidity is critical for a successful online poker operation, as the game is peer-to-peer and having an ample player base 24/7 is needed to satisfy users. Casinos and iGaming operators make money from poker through rake, a cut of every pot that covers the house’s cost for hosting the games.

Multistate Poker Accord

Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania are members of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA). Michigan joined the interstate pact in 2022.

Delaware, Nevada, and West Virginia are also MSIGA members. DraftKings does not operate sports betting or iGaming in Delaware and Nevada. The company is a licensed iGaming operator in West Virginia, though it does not offer online poker because of the state’s small population.

MSIGA allows operators like DraftKings to link their software across member states. A player sitting in Michigan can play at the same virtual table as a player in Pennsylvania.

Each player is assigned a weighted rake based on their physical location through geolocation technology. In other words, MSIGA doesn’t split the pooled rake but traces each dollar to the player who generated it.

The regulatory and financial compliance costs are considerable, which is why DraftKings has not launched online poker in West Virginia. The company has also opted not to offer online poker in Connecticut, another state where it runs iGaming, despite state lawmakers offering to enter into MSIGA.

Connecticut and West Virginia, respectively, rank No. 29 and No. 39 in population among the 50 states. Pennsylvania is No. 5, Michigan is No. 10, and New Jersey is No. 11.

Michigan iGaming Industry

Michigan’s iGaming industry set a revenue record in 2025, with the state’s online casinos posting gross gaming revenue (GGR) of approximately $3.1 billion. The state received $597.5 million in associated taxes from the online gambling windfall.

2025 iGaming GGR in New Jersey was $2.9 billion, with online poker generating about $30.3 million in rake. Pennsylvania’s iGaming revenue last year was $2.7 billion.