Pennsylvania will offer operator licenses equal to the number of brick and mortar casinos that exist in the state. The 12 existing Pennsylvania casinos will get the first opportunity to receive a license. They will have until early February to apply for a license at a discounted rate of $10 million. A thirteenth license is expected to be available with the launch of the Philly Live! Casino. This license will allow an operator to offer online poker and an online casino that includes slots and table games.

Once the 90 days is up, existing casinos can apply for licenses at a rate of $4 million each for poker, online slots or online table games. Any licenses left over will be open to non-Pennsylvania operators.

It is expected that casinos will partner with existing casino software providers and established online poker rooms (especially those that are operating in other states). It is unknown the extent at which additional brands will be available under a single license (such as turn-key poker room skins that have unique branding but are essentially the same casino/poker room).

A possible (likely?) liquidity agreement between Pennsylvania and other states could also change the dynamic. Recently, the first three states  (New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware) agreed to share a player pool. The smart money agrees that Pennsylvania will join this newly established player pool, although that might not happen right away.