Edging Down: Online Poker Revenue Dips in Legal US Markets for February; PA Remains Top State

The short month of February still allowed for online poker to maintain strength, despite the fewer number of days. iGaming revenue showed year-over-year growth in most legal states but monthly revenue dipped.

Overall, online gaming is putting up strong numbers. PokerStars, partypoker US Network, and WSOP.com are adapting and creating new series to push the envelope each month.

In the US, online poker is currently up and running in the following states: 

• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Michigan
• Nevada
• Delaware

New Jersey maintains $2 million mark

The Garden State online poker sites produced $2.2 million in February. New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE) reports showed a small downswing month over month from the $2.5 million set in January.

The shortened month of February also played a role in the decline. New Jersey currently plays host to three online poker operators including:

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

Partypoker took over as the top dog from WSOP.com in February. The network reported $890,387 after WSOP.com was first for three straight months. This was also up month-over-month from the $848,788 reported in January. 

WSOP.com  saw a small decline in February. The operator started the year with revenue of $961,93, but in February reported $834,982.

The platform remains the only operator offering shared liquidity with Nevada and 888poker in Delaware. The site is preparing for a big WSOP series this summer and is banking on the success of the monthly WSOP Online Circuit rings.

PokerStars saw the biggest month-over-month drop after having two months of growth in a row. Stars reported $502,191 for February. 

In the New Jersey live poker scene, only three rooms are open in Atlantic City including:

• Borgata (offers weekly tournaments)
• Harrahs 
• Tropicana

Borgata recently announced in coordination with the BetMGM/partypoker March Poker Mania events, a live event will also be held. The casino is hosting a $1,090 Borgata March Mania Rebound with a $100,000 guaranteed prize pool. 

NJ online gaming continues showing strength

In February, Internet gaming win reported by casinos and their partners reported $130 million. These is a 38.6% increase from the same period last year. 

The Borgata/BetMGM brand hits one year straight of producing the best results in New Jersey. BetMGM showed $37.8 million in revenue for February.

Golden Nugget stayed hot on the trail with $34.5 million and Resorts finished in third with $29.9 million.

According to the NJDGE, total gaming revenue reported by casino partners was $373.3 million for February. That’s a 29.5% increase from $288.3 million reported in February 2021. Gaming taxes represent 8% of taxable casino gross revenue and 15% of Internet gaming gross revenue.

PA online poker remains top in the nation

Pennsylvania remains the No. 1 state in the country for online poker revenue. The Keystone State reported poker revenue of $2.8 million in February, down from $3.4 million in January.

The commonwealth currently has three online poker choices:

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

PokerStars was the top-ranked platform in the state, but also took the biggest hit month over month. The site reported $1.6 million, down from $2.2 million in January.

WSOP.com was  up month over month, bringing in $878,251. Partypoker US Network (BetMGM/Borgata Poker) also had monthly growth and reported $363,001.

Internet gaming as a whole put up over $100 million again. The state showed gross revenue of $102.4 million in February. 

As reported by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, total January gaming (both online and live) revenue was $375.6 million. The state reported annual growth of 24.4%.

According to the PGCB, iGaming taxes alone accounted for $42.2 million.

Live poker rooms report in PA

PA tournament players are beginning to return and the scene is starting to thrive again. In live poker news, Philadelphia casinos have announced big upcoming series as well. 

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

Online gaming records set in the Wolverine State

Michigan set another record in February. According to the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), online casinos and poker brought in $122.8 million in revenue. The previous record was set in December 2021

The state combines poker and online gaming in its revenue report. There are two legal online poker operators including:

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

The BetMGM March Poker Mania should be a nice series for the platform this month.  This month MGM brought in Michigan homegrown poker vlogger Andrew Neeme to host the series.

PokerStars is also raising the bar and recently announced a new poker rewards system. The site also hosts the Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) in legalized markets, including Michigan, beginning March 25.

In other Michigan news, February showed to be a good month for both BetMGM and FanDuel. BetMGM saw a nice gain and posted $46.8 million.

FanDuel also saw a slight gain, bringing in $19.4 million up from the $17.6 million the month before. Online gaming operators produced $21.9 million in tax revenue and local share to the state including:

• Internet gaming taxes and payments – $21.6 million
• Internet sports betting taxes and payments – $360,354

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 begin highlighting poker tournaments to attract players into the casinos.

 

Delaware revenue takes a step back

The First State saw an online poker decrease in February. The state reported $32,280 for online operators. 

According to the Delaware Lottery, iGaming in total showed a net of $843,246 for online casino results. Registrations stayed strong with 840 new player registrations in February.

In Delaware, 888poker operates three different skins in partnership with Delaware’s racetrack casinos including:

• Delaware Park
• Bally’s Dover
• Harrington Casino and Raceway

Delaware Park continues to hold the top spot in the state for online poker, reporting $16,848 for the month. Delaware Park is the only live poker room open in the state.