Caesars-owned WSOP.com has added Michigan to its multi-state network, which once again comprises three states. That means it has reclaimed the title of largest online poker network—in terms of states served—which it temporarily had to share with PokerStars after losing Delaware earlier this year.
The network has been operating since May 24, but the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) announced its approval this morning, May 28. Executive Director Henry Williams said:
By offering seamless connectivity between players in Michigan, New Jersey, and Nevada, the Board’s approval of Caesars’ platform establishes another opportunity for online poker collaboration and innovation. Michigan citizens can anticipate a safe, secure gaming environment — in what will likely be a larger pool of online players — as they engage in World Series of Poker games across state borders in a responsible manner.
The launch comes just in time for the beginning of the live World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. Its kickoff event, the $5,000 Champions Reunion, will have cards in the air today at noon Pacific Time.
That’s big news for Michigan players, as it means they’ll be able to participate in the same online bracelet events as their peers in New Jersey and Nevada. There will be 30 of these events starting June 1. In previous years, WSOP’s sites in Pennsylvania and Michigan had separate bracelet event series. That will remain the case for Pennsylvania this year, as its regulator has not yet joined the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement.
- Jump to: Full schedule of 2024 online bracelet events
- Read more: WSOP.com review
Upgraded Software, Higher Traffic
For most of its history, WSOP’s network spanned New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware. However, the Delaware Lottery recently ended its contract with 888 Holdings (now known as Evoke) and signed on with Rush Street Interactive instead. As 888 is the technology provider for WSOP and Rush Street has not yet launched a poker product, that meant at least a temporary end to online poker in Delaware.
Even factoring in that loss, however, this year represents a significant upgrade for WSOP. Michigan’s population of 10 million dwarfs Delaware’s 1 million residents.
In the online poker industry, the saying is that “traffic begets traffic.” Players gravitate towards sites where they can find the games they want to play. That requires there to be enough other players to keep those games running.
WSOP’s new three-state network serves a combined population of 22.5 million, compared to 13.5 million when it included Delaware. The PokerStars multi-state network serves a population of 19.3 million (NJ and MI) but cannot obtain a license in Nevada because it accepted American players illegally from 2006 to 2011. Meanwhile, BetMGM Poker has not yet initiated multi-state traffic sharing, though it told investors in December that it would be doing so imminently.
The boost in traffic comes alongside a software upgrade. The main reason WSOP hadn’t already merged Michigan players with their New Jersey and Nevada peers is that the sites had been using different versions of 888’s software. The long-standing NJ/NV/DE network had used an earlier version of the platform, while the more recent sites in Michigan and Pennsylvania launched with the new Poker 8 system.
However, WSOP has now transitioned to Poker 8 for Nevada and New Jersey, making those sites compatible with Michigan. Players in those states should also notice an improvement in the overall experience.
2024 WSOP.com Online Bracelet Events
Regarding the new platform and addition of Michigan to the network, Danielle Barille, Vice President of Online Poker at Caesars Digital, said:
The best is yet to come for WSOP Online tournaments, and we’re thrilled to bring Michigan players into the fold with Nevada and New Jersey, resulting in a better experience, more value, and the biggest prize pools of the year.
WSOP’s announcement was accompanied by a schedule for this year’s shared-liquidity online bracelet events. This year’s schedule includes live final tables for the five highest buy-in events.
| Date | Time (PST) | Buy-In | Name | Live Final Table? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Jun | 3:30 PM | $555 | NLHE 55th Annual Kick-Off | No |
| 2-Jun | 3:30 PM | $400 | NLHE Progressive Knockout | No |
| 4-Jun | 3:30 PM | $1,000 | NLHE | No |
| 8-Jun | 3:30 PM | $600 | NLHE Deepstack | No |
| 9-Jun | 3:30 PM | $333 | NLHE Triple Treys | No |
| 11-Jun | 3:30 PM | $400 | NLHE Ultra Deepstack | No |
| 15-Jun | 3:30 PM | $500 | NLHE Progressive Knockout | No |
| 16-Jun | 3:30 PM | $1,000 | NLHE 6-Max | No |
| 18-Jun | 3:30 PM | $3,200 | NLHE High Roller | Yes |
| 22-Jun | 3:30 PM | $600 | NLHE Monsterstack | No |
| 23-Jun | 3:30 PM | $500 | NLHE Mystery Bounty | No |
| 23-Jun | 4:30 PM | $888 | NLHE Crazy 8s | No |
| 25-Jun | 3:30 PM | $1,000 | NLHE Freezeout | No |
| 29-Jun | 3:30 PM | $5,300 | NLHE High Roller 8-Max | Yes |
| 30-Jun | 3:30 PM | $500 | NLHE Deepstack | No |
| 2-Jul | 3:30 PM | $777 | NLHE Lucky 7s | No |
| 5-Jul | 3:30 PM | $555 | PLO Mystery Bounty 6-Max | No |
| 5-Jul | 4:30 PM | $400 | NLHE Colossus Flight 1A | No |
| 6-Jul | 3:30 PM | $600 | NLHE Online Deepstack Championship | No |
| 6-Jul | 4:30 PM | $400 | NLHE Colossus Flight 1B | No |
| 7-Jul | 2:30 PM | $400 | NLHE Colossus Flight 1C | No |
| 7-Jul | 4:30 PM | $1,000 | NLHE Mystery Bounty Championship | No |
| 7-Jul | 6:00 PM | $400 | NLHE Colossus Flight 1D | No |
| 7-Jul | 8:30 PM | -- | NLHE Colossus Day 2 | No |
| 8-Jul | 3:30 PM | $1,000 | NLHE 6-Max Online Championship | No |
| 9-Jul | 3:30 PM | $1,000 | NLHE Championship | No |
| 10-Jul | 3:30 PM | $5,300 | NLHE High Roller Championship | Yes |
| 11-Jul | 3:30 PM | $10,000 | WSOP Online Championship Event | Yes |
| 12-Jul | 3:30 PM | $1,000 | PLO 6-Max Championship | No |
| 13-Jul | 3:30 PM | $3,200 | NLHE High Roller | Yes |
| 14-Jul | 3:30 PM | $400 | NLHE Mystery Bounty 6-Max | No |
| 16-Jul | 3:30 PM | $500 | NLHE Summer Saver | No |
| 20-Jul | 3:30 PM | $1,000 | NLHE PKO Fight Night | No |
| 21-Jul | 3:30 PM | $888 | NLHE Crazy 8s Encore | No |
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