Online poker service BetRivers now accessible in Delaware, Michigan, and West Virginia.
BetRivers Poker Taylor-Made Waves in the U.S. Online Poker Scene
It's been just over a year since BetRivers Poker splashed into the regulated United States online poker landscape, and it's already making serious ripples. The platform, initially available only in Pennsylvania, has since expanded its reach to Delaware, Michigan, and West Virginia. With plans to move into New Jersey later in 2025, BetRivers Poker will soon be operating in five states, making it the first online poker operator to do so.
These strategic moves position BetRivers Poker as a significant contender in the competitive U.S. online poker market, joining forces with established players like WSOP. The WSOP operates in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Nevada. In Delaware, BetRivers Poker is currently the sole online poker operator following 888's exit from the state in December 2023, while in West Virginia, it's the first operator since the state legalized real-money online poker in 2019.
The unification of player pools across these four states allows BetRivers Poker to foster larger tournament prize pools, more competitive cash games, and an overall more engaging gaming experience. Richard Schwartz, CEO of Rush Street Interactive (RSI), the platform's owners, shared his enthusiasm, stating, "By expanding our network, we'll bring more players to our tables, offer a wider variety of games, and raise the stakes with larger tournament prize pools."
The Phil Factor
BetRivers Poker's success can be attributed, in part, to its software, developed by Phil Galfond's Run It Once online poker platform. In March 2022, Galfond sold Run It Once Poker to RSI for $5.8 million, with the platform now serving as the backbone for BetRivers Poker. Galfond, recognizing each player's role in shaping the platform, emphasized the importance of community involvement, encouraging players to spread the word and provide feedback.
Poker legend Phil Hellmuth, who joined BetRivers Poker as a Brand Ambassador in January 2025, is also a significant contributor to the platform's success. Hellmuth, known for his numerous World Series of Poker bracelets, promises a championship experience to players on the new Phil Hellmuth's Poker Brat TV channel on YouTube and the long-running Poker Night in America televised poker show.
Matthew Pitt, hailing from the United Kingdom, has been a fixture in the poker industry since 2008. His experience extends to PokerNews, where he worked since 2010 before becoming the editor in 2010. Pitt now serves as Senior Editor for PokerNews, offering valuable insights and expertise to the ever-evolving online poker landscape.
- The expansion of BetRivers Poker to Delaware, Michigan, and West Virginia, with plans for New Jersey, makes it the first online poker operator to be active in five states.
- The partnership with WSOP and the unification of player pools across four states enable BetRivers Poker to offer larger tournament prize pools, competitive cash games, and a more engaging gaming experience.
- Phil Galfond, through his software, plays a crucial role in the development of BetRivers Poker, having sold his Run It Once online poker platform to Rush Street Interactive in 2022.
- Phil Hellmuth, a poker legend who joined BetRivers Poker as a Brand Ambassador in 2025, is another significant factor in the platform's success, offering players a championship experience on his Phil Hellmuth's Poker Brat TV channel.
- Matthew Pitt, with experience in the poker industry since 2008 and currently serving as Senior Editor for PokerNews, provides valuable insights and expertise to the online poker landscape.
- The strategic moves and partnerships of BetRivers Poker and other casino-related matters, such as sports betting, casino games, casino-and-gambling trends, casino personalities, and responsible gambling, are topics of interest in the news.
- The landscape of the casino-gambling world extends beyond poker, encompassing lotteries, sports betting, sports, and casino culture, all of which are influenced by trends and the actions of key figures.
