Online Poker Revenue Mixed for August – Up in PA, Down in NJ; Industry Totals Remain High

US regulated online poker revenue continues to show some stability, but saw a mixed bag in August with Pennsylvania reporting a big $3 million month while New Jersey declined.

Despite the New Jersey decrease, online poker continues to show some stability and industry highs since the pandemic in legal states. WSOP.com bracelet events and promotions also continue to drive traffic and have scored well with players.

Currently legalized states include:

• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Michigan
• Nevada
• Delaware

New Jersey online poker takes a small drop

New Jersey online poker sites accounted for $2.4 million in August. This was down month over month from the $3.1 million in July. That month saw big numbers due to the month-long WSOP.com bracelet series. 

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 held the top spot in NJ with $964,818, but also saw the biggest month-over-month loss. This was down from $1.7 million in July, according to the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE). 

The site continues running monthly promotions such as the popular WSOP Circuit ring series. WSOP.com remains the only operator offering shared liquidity with Nevada and 888poker in Delaware.

Partypoker US Network continues to see month over month gains and reported $800,113 in revenue for August. Partypoker US Network is looking to have a big fall with events planned such as the $1 million guaranteed WPT Online Borgata Poker Open Main Event.

PokerStars NJ continues holding the bronze medal but did see growth again month over month with $678,483. 

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

• Borgata
• Harrahs 
• Tropicana

Good news was recently reported that Borgata will start weekly tournaments again in October. New Jersey hasn’t had a live tournament since before the pandemic. 

 

NJ online gaming stays consistent

In August, New Jersey online casinos in total accounted for $113.2 million. This number reflects a 29% increase over the $87.8 million a year ago.

The Borgata/BetMGM brand remains in the top spot for the sixth straight month. BetMGM took in $36.4 million with Golden Nugget in second place with $29.7 million. Resorts took third with $21.6 million.

Overall, NJ casinos posted $42.1 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.

WSOP.com pushes Pennsylvania revenue upward

The Keystone State saw a month-over-month increase in online poker for August. Pennsylvania reported $3.1 million in revenue, up from $2.5 million in July. With the launch of WSOP.com and the first PA bracelet series, the state topped New Jersey in total revenue. 

PokerStars continues to hold the top spot and brought in $1.9 million again for August. WSOP.com had the biggest month over month growth and reported $819,249, up from the $241,691 in July. 

BetMGM and Borgata Poker both also saw growth with revenue reaching a total of $463,423. The two skins are part of partypoker US Network and run monthly Online Series. 

Currently there are three online poker sites in Pennsylvania:

• 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 $88.7 million in August. PA continues to see year-over-year growth as the Keystone State reported $55.9 million during the same period in August 2020.

Live poker players received good news as Wind Creek is set to reopen its poker room on Oct. 1. Here’s a look at all live poker rooms in the state that are 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)
• Wind Creek Bethlehem (Oct. 1)

August revenue sets the record in Michigan

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) reported another win for the growing online gaming industry in August. MGCB set a new record and reported $97.2 million in revenue. This was up from the previous record of $95.1 million in March. 

The Wolverine State continues to combine poker and online gaming in the board’s revenue report. There are two online poker sites in Michigan:

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

BetMGM saw another increase month over month and continues to lead the state in online gaming gross revenue with $39.7 million. FanDuel has seen two small dips in the last two months and reported $14.2 million. Sports betting revenue saw revenue of $15.9 million with a $192.3 million handle.

BetMGM continues offering monthly promotions with another Online Series running in September. PokerStars is also currently running the Michigan Championship of Online Poker (MICOOP) through Sept. 27 with $1.5 million guaranteed.

Online gaming operators delivered $18.4 million via tax revenue to the state including:

• Internet gaming taxes and payments – $17.9 million
• Internet sports betting taxes and payments – $540,706

At the moment six brick and mortar live poker rooms have reopened in state including:

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

The poker rooms are offering nice incentives to get players back in the doors such as high hands and bad beat jackpots. 

Delaware poker down, iGaming overall is up

The First State saw a small decrease from July’s report. In August, Delaware reported total revenue of $32,332. Even though poker was down, iGaming reported it’s best overall month for 2021. According to the Delaware Lottery, iGaming in general reported $945,512, up from $793,017 in July.

For the second month in a row, Delaware saw its biggest month this year for new player registrations with 964. 

888poker provides all the software for legal poker sites in the state. Currently 888 operates three different skins in partnership with the state’s racetrack casinos including:

• Delaware Park
• Dover Downs
• Harrington Casino and Raceway

Delaware Park continues as the top provider in the state and has done so each month in 2021. Delaware Park brought in $16,948 and is also the only live poker room open in the state.