Online Poker Operators Experience Small Drops in Revenue, Numbers Remain Steady Overall

July 21, 2021
Online Poker Operators Experience Small Drops in Revenue, Numbers Remain Steady Overall

The bad news for US online poker sites is that revenue dropped slightly overall for June. The good news is these numbers still remain historical highs and the market hasn’t experienced a massive decline from those highs.

The US market continues to focus on expansion, adding major tournament series, and further promotion. Operators including WSOP.com are opening up in new states and continue to push for more regulated markets.

Real money online poker is currently legal in:

  • New Jersey
  • Pennsylvania
  • Michigan
  • Nevada
  • Delaware

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New Jersey numbers take small hit

The Garden State took a small dip in June. Online poker operators brought in $2.2 million, a slight fall from $2.4 million in May. In New Jersey, there are currently three operators:

WSOP.com continues to hold on to the top spot in New Jersey. According to the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE), the site reported revenue of $891,872. This number was down from the $919,526 in June however.

WSOP.com should have a big month ahead as major online events take place on the site throughout July. The operator is hosting a Summer Online Circuit, Online Championships Series, and the WSOP Online bracelet series.

WSOP.com remains the only poker site offering a shared player pool with Nevada and 888poker in Delaware.

Partypoker US Network saw a small decline month over month, down about 5% from May. The operator brought in $732,987 in revenue.

The site continues to build upon its successful monthly Online Series and continues to hold a steady number of players. Partypoker is also offering big promotions to help players stay in the action, including a $50,000 freeroll in July. 

PokerStars saw the biggest drop in reporting during June. The site reported $584,515 in June, down from May’s report of $719,706. 

Three more New Jersey live poker rooms reopen 

Cash games are currently the only option for players at Atlantic City brick and mortar casinos. Players are anxiously awaiting the return of tournament play and the reopening of other poker rooms in the city. 

Poker rooms currently available in Atlantic City include:

  • Borgata
  • Harrahs 
  • Tropicana

NJ online gaming in a nutshell

In June, New Jersey reported $107.1 million in Internet gaming revenue, up from $97.6 million a year ago. BetMGM brand remained in the top spot among online casino operators for the fourth month in a row.

BetMGM continues to show growth as it brought in $34.3 million compared to $27.6 million for Golden Nugget

Overall, NJ casinos posted $39.9 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 dips in Pennsylvania, WSOP.com goes live

Pennsylvania saw a small drop in poker numbers for the month of June. The state reported $2.4 million in revenue, slightly down from $2.6 million in May. 

Even though numbers are down, Pennsylvania has managed to stay number one in the US for regulated poker. The state has overtaken New Jersey as the leading regulated online poker state for multiple months now. 

The big news however is the launch of WSOP.com in PA. Revenue numbers may see a boost in July as the site is launching WSOP Online bracelet events in August.

The US online poker market received some welcome news on Monday with WSOP.com announcing a launch into Pennsylvania on July 12.

Competition grows in the state and expect to see more promotions from the recently-launched BetMGM and Borgata Poker. Both are part of partypoker US Network. PokerStars brought in $2 million for June and remains king in the state.

Currently, there are three online poker sites in Pennsylvania:

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

According to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), online gaming overall generated gross revenue of $88.9 million in June. That’s a huge increase from $50 million in June 2020.

Internet poker alone has generated more than $4.6 million in tax revenue for the people of the commonwealth in 2021.

Live poker rooms in PA are now running poker tournaments again. Rivers and Live! Philadelphia recently began hosting daily events again. The following live poker rooms are now open:

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

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Michigan revenue drops slightly

Operators in the Wolverine State reported $89.2 million in gaming revenue for June. Even though there was a small drop, June sports betting revenue saw an increase to $25 million. This is up from $19.4 million in May. 

“Michigan’s gross internet casino gaming and online sports betting wagering receipts in June roughly matched May,” Michigan Gaming Control Board executive director Henry Williams said in a news release.  “Summer is here, and Michigan is reopening after the pandemic restrictions so there are many entertainment opportunities.

“The slight tenth of a percent decline from May to June shows internet gaming and online sports betting continues to draw Michigan residents’ and visitors’ interest.”

Michigan regulators combine all online casino gaming revenue and don’t separate out statistics for Michigan online poker sites. There are currently two operators in the state:

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

BetMGM led the state in online gaming gross revenue with $33.7 million. FanDuel online casino Michigan came in second with $14.8 million, down from May’s report of $16.3 million.  As in NJ and PA, BetMGM in Michigan is currently promoting the monthly Online Series.

Operators delivered about $14.6 million via tax revenue including:

  • Internet gaming taxes and payments – $13.7 million
  • Internet sports betting taxes and payments – $927,575

Currently six brick and mortar 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

Major decline for online poker revenue for Delaware 

Delaware online poker sites saw about a 15% decrease in June’s report. The First State showed total revenue of $31,999 for June. This was the lowest reported month in 2021 so far.

According to the Delaware Lottery, iGaming in general reported $843,117 in June for overall online casino gaming.

888poker continues to be the only real-money poker site in the state. The poker platform offers three different skins in partnership with the state’s racetrack casinos including:

  • Delaware Park
  • Dover Downs
  • Harrington Casino and Raceway

Month after month, Delaware Park continues to be the number one site with June revenue of $16,921. Dover Downs was the only site to see a small increase and holds second place with $8,485.

At the moment, Delaware Park is the only live poker room to reopen since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The property opened on June 15 with operating hours from 11 am to 3 am daily.

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