Nice Jumps: Online Poker Revenue Rises Across the Board in All Regulated States
US online poker revenue posted month-over-month growth in each legal state. Overall, online gaming has continued an upward trend since the pandemic began.
Online poker sites, such as partypoker US Network, PokerStars, and WSOP.com continue to see nice growth. The current legalized and operating online poker states include:
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Michigan
- Nevada
- Delaware
New Jersey online poker climbs upward
Online poker operators in the Garden State reached the $2 million mark to close out the year. According to the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE), operators brought in $2.3 million, slightly up from $2.2 million in November. There are currently three real money poker sites in New Jersey including:
- WSOP.com/888poker
- partypoker US Network (including Borgata Poker and BetMGM skins)
- PokerStars
WSOP.com slightly held onto the lead in the state as top operator for the second month in a row. The operator finished the year with revenue of $848,882.
WSOP.com continues with strong promotions in 2022 and recently announced the return of the monthly WSOP Circuit ring series. WSOP.com remains the only operator offering shared liquidity with Nevada and 888poker in Delaware.
Partypoker and PokerStars saw month-over-month increases in December. Party remained in second place and reported $803,388 in revenue.
PokerStars showed the biggest monthly gain. The site reported $685,575, an 11% increase from November’s $607,415.
In the New Jersey live poker scene, only three live poker rooms are open in Atlantic City including:
- Borgata (offers weekly tournaments)
- Harrahs
- Tropicana
Borgata recently announced its first multi-day tournament since before the pandemic. Over President’s Day weekend, the casino will host a $200,000 guaranteed event.
NJ online gaming continues climbing
December hit huge numbers in the Garden State. Online gaming in total accounted for $133.2 million, a 33.9% increase over the $99.5 million a year ago.
The Borgata online casino/BetMGM brand is becoming a powerhouse in New Jersey, remaining number one for 10 straight months.
BetMGM grabbed $37 million in revenue to cap off the year. Golden Nugget online casino stayed hot on their trail in second with $36 million and Resorts in third with $22.9 million.
Total gaming taxes overall for the state were $42.3 million. Gaming taxes represent 8% of taxable casino gross revenue and 15% of Internet gaming gross revenue.
Pennsylvania online poker hits $3 million mark
Online poker revenue in the Keystone State was up in December 2021. Month-over-month reports showed $3.1 million in Pennsylvania compared to November’s $2.8 million.
The commonwealth currently has three online poker sites in Pennsylvania:
- PokerStars
- partypoker US Network via the Borgata Poker and BetMGM skins
- WSOP.com
PokerStars put up a big month by boasting just a bit over $2 million for the month. In December, the site ran a successful “25 Days of Tournaments” promotion.
WSOP.com stayed about the same and brought in $639,833, just slightly down from November’s total. BetMGM/Borgata Poker came in third with $378,398, a gain from November. The two skins are part of partypoker US Network and run monthly Online Series.
Internet gaming continues to crush records in the state. Year-over-year Internet online casino gaming is up 42.6% in Pennsylvania. The state showed gross revenue of $102.1 million in December.
As reported by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, total gaming revenue for December was $406.3 million. The state reported annual growth of 141%. According to the PGCB, taxes in December from iGaming alone totaled $42.4 million.
Live poker rooms in PA
In live poker news, Rivers Philadelphia canceled its highly anticipated Mystery Bounty Series in January due to staffing issues. The property recently announced the tournament will run in February.
Here’s a look at open Pennsylvania poker rooms:
- Parx Casino
- Mohegan Sun Pocono
- Mount Airy Casino Resort
- Rivers Casino Philadelphia
- Rivers Casino Pittsburgh
- Meadows Racetrack and Casino
- Philadelphia Live Casino
- Wind Creek Bethlehem
- Pittsburgh Live Casino
Michigan produces big results
The Wolverine State set an online gaming record in December according to the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB). The state set another record by reporting $121.7 million in internet gaming receipts, up 13.9% from November.
Michigan combines poker and online gaming in the state’s revenue report. There are two online poker sites in Michigan including:
- PokerStars
- BetMGM (part of the partypoker US Network)
MGM continues to push promotions on the poker side of things with monthly series. PokerStars has been active with tournament series in Michigan in recent months as well.
Both BetMGM and FanDuel saw increases in December. BetMGM set a company record in the state by posting $45.9 million online gaming gross revenue. FanDuel also posted one of the company’s best month yet with $17.3 million.
Michigan residents saw some solid funds for their state as well. Online gaming operators dropped $23.3 million in tax revenue to the state including:
- Internet gaming taxes and payments – $22.6 million
- Internet sports betting taxes and payments – $738,067
Six Michigan brick and mortar live poker rooms have reopened including:
- MGM Grand Detroit
- Motor City Casino Hotel
- Greektown Casino-Hotel
- Odawa Casino Petoskey
- Firekeepers Casino Hotel
- Island Resort & Casino
Michigan casinos are relaunching tournaments as people begin flowing back into casinos.
Poker has best month of year in Delaware
Delaware saw their best month of the year in December. The First State saw an online poker increase for the third month in a row and reported $43,069. This is up almost 30% since November.
According to the Delaware Lottery, iGaming topped the million-dollar mark in the state, coming in at $1.1 million in online casino results. That was the state’s best month of the year. Delaware also reported 824 new player registrations in December.
In Delaware, 888poker operates three different skins in partnership with Delaware’s racetrack casinos including:
- Delaware Park
- Bally’s Dover
- Harrington Casino and Raceway
For the first time all year, all three online sites showed month-over-month growth. Delaware Park went wire to wire as the top online poker site in Delaware for all of 2021.
Delaware Park brought in $28,042 and also remains the only live poker room open in the state. Dover Downs also now officially becomes Bally’s Dover. The name change became official at the end of the year.