From the comments section of the boardgamesgeek article

 

 

I'm going from memory here, but I'm pretty sure it's pass-and-play.

I don't remember if there was going to be an online component at all, and we didn't talk about a local wifi or bluetooth option, either.

 

 

So, is pass and play the only way to be able to play this game or is online functionality planned as well?

If there is going to be online functionality I imagine it will be limited to real time play, asynchronous play would be painfully slow as almost every check can be affected by other players.