Online Poker Numbers Heated Up in July; Revenue Climbs In All States

Online poker revenue in July was up almost across the board for legalized US states and operators. WSOP.com bracelet events and promotions by operators fueled some big gains for the month.

Some states, including New Jersey, saw some of their biggest online gaming months to date. With limited brick and mortar poker rooms, players are showing that there is stability in the online poker market.

Online poker is currently legal and operating in:

• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Michigan
• Nevada
• Delaware

New Jersey online poker hits $3 million

The Garden State saw a strong rebound in July thanks to a major push from WSOP.com. Operators brought in almost $3.1 million for the month.

This was up almost $1 million month over month. In New Jersey, there are currently three online poker operators:

• WSOP.com/888poker
• partypoker US Network (including Borgata Poker and BetMGM skins)
• PokerStars

WSOP.com commanded the top spot for July. The WSOP Online summer online bracelet series helped the site account for $1.7 million in revenue, according to the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE). That almost doubled the $891,872 total the site reported in June. 

With the bracelet series now concluded, WSOP.com will probably see a dip in August. However, the site continues to run successful monthly WSOP Circuit ring series. 

WSOP.com remains the only operator offering shared liquidity with Nevada and 888poker in Delaware.

Partypoker US Network saw a small growth month over month, up less than 1% with $737,417 in revenue. The site also holds monthly Online Series with multiple events. Party is also running its popular $50,000 freeroll promotion in August. 

PokerStars came in third for the month but did see growth with $622,663 in revenue. This was up from the June report of $584,515.

On the brick and mortar side, currently three live poker rooms are available in Atlantic City including:

• Borgata
• Harrahs 
• Tropicana

NJ sets monthly record

In July, NJ online casinos reported their best month ever overall. Internet casino gaming accounted for $118.7 million. This number reflects a 70.4% increase over the $87.5 million a year ago.

The Borgata/BetMGM brand remained in the top spot among online casino operators for the fifth month in a row. BetMGM also had a month-over-month increase with $36.4  million compared to $33.5 million for Golden Nugget.

News also recently emerged that DraftKings was buying the Golden Nugget online gaming brand. 

Overall, NJ casinos posted $44.2 million in total gaming tax revenue for the state. Gaming taxes represent 8% of taxable casino gross revenue and 15% of Internet gaming gross revenue.

Revenue in Pennsylvania climbs as WSOP.com debuts

Pennsylvania also saw a small uptick in poker numbers for July. PA online poker sites reported $2.5 million in revenue, slightly up from $2.4 million in June.

The Keystone State fell behind New Jersey for poker revenue numbers in July. However with the recent launch of WSOP.com and the first ever PA WSOP bracelet series, PA may overtake its neighbor in August again.

PokerStars brought in $1.9 million for June and remains the top dog in the state. The sites continue to battle for ground in the state.

BetMGM and Borgata Poker run monthly Online Series and are attracting more entries each month. Both are part of partypoker US Network. 

Currently there are three online poker options:

• PokerStars 
• partypoker US Network via the Borgata Poker and BetMGM skins
• WSOP.com

According to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), online gaming overall generated gross revenue of $88.6 million in July.

Year-over-year growth continues with $54.3 million reported at the same time in July 2020. This July, online poker alone generated more than $400,000 in tax revenue.

As for live poker, these rooms are now open:

• Parx Casino
• Mohegan Sun Pocono
• Mount Airy Casino Resort
• Rivers Casino Philadelphia (weekly tournaments)
• Rivers Casino Pittsburgh
• Meadows Racetrack and Casino
• Philadelphia Live Casino (weekly tournaments)

July revenue sees boost in Michigan

Michigan gaming reported $92.3 million in revenue for the month of July. This was up from the $89.2 million reported in June. Michigan lumps online poker and online gaming all together in monthly reports. There are two online poker site operators in Michigan:

• PokerStars
• BetMGM (part of the partypoker US Network)

BetMGM saw a small increase month over month and continues to lead the state in online gaming gross revenue with $33.8 million. FanDuel saw a small dip and came in second with $14.3 million.

Sports betting revenue saw a report of $19.6 million with a $188 million handle for the month.

As in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, BetMGM is currently promoting the monthly Online Series in Michigan again for August.

Online gaming operators delivered $17.8 million via tax revenue to the state including:

• Internet gaming taxes and payments – $17.1 million
• Internet sports betting taxes and payments – $762,220

At the moment six brick and mortar live poker rooms have re-opened within state borders including:

• MGM Grand Detroit
• Motor City Casino Hotel 
• Greektown Casino-Hotel
• Odawa Casino Petoskey 
• Firekeepers Casino Hotel
• Island Resort & Casino

Delaware poker sees small increase

Online poker saw about a 3% increase from June’s report in Delaware. The First State showed total revenue of $33,308 for July. 

Even though poker was up, iGaming in whole was down for July. According to Delaware Lottery, iGaming in general reported revenue of $793,017. However, it was the biggest month in 2021 for new player registrations with a total of 951 for the month.  

888poker is the only poker operator in the state. The platform facilitates three different skins in partnership with the state’s racetrack casinos including:

• Delaware Park
• Dover Downs
• Harrington Casino and Raceway

All three operators in the state saw month-over-month growth. The gold medal each month in 2021 has gone to Delaware Park for  poker revenue. In July, the property brought in $17,730.

At the moment, Delaware Park is also the only live poker room in the state to reopen.