On the Rise: Online Poker Revenue Shows Gains Across the Board in March
March showed big numbers again for online legal poker states. March Madness helped to fuel the online casino gaming and sportsbooks as well.
The madness continued as PokerStars, partypoker US Network, and WSOP.com pushed out major online poker tournament series. In the US, online poker is currently live and playable in the following states:
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Michigan
- Nevada
- Delaware
New Jersey hits $2.5 million in legal market
The Garden State online poker sites cashed in at over $2.5 million in March. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE) reported a nice month-over-month increase for the legal operators.
That’s up about $300,000 from February’s $2.2 million. New Jersey currently has three online poker operators including:
- WSOP.com/888poker
- partypoker US Network (including the Borgata Poker and BetMGM skins)
- PokerStars
Partypoker took the title as top operator in back-to-back months and reported $981,831 in March. This is also up from $890,387 reported in February.
WSOP.com saw month over month wins as well, reporting $907,472. The site remains the only operator offering shared liquidity with Nevada and 888poker in Delaware. This may change soon as Michigan recently announced plans for shared player pools.
The site is prepping players for the big Tournament of Champions event this summer. All eligible ring winners will earn a seat on July 18. The monthly Online Circuit Series has been a big success for WSOP.com.
PokerStars saw the biggest month-over-month growth in the state. Stars reported $641,860 for March, up from $502,191 in February. Expect to see solid numbers again next month, as the operator just finished up the popular Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) series.
In the New Jersey live poker scene, only three rooms are open in Atlantic City including:
- Borgata (offers weekly tournaments)
- Harrahs
- Tropicana
No plans for guaranteed multi-day live events have been announced.
NJ online gaming goes mad
March Madness boosted online gaming wins for New Jersey casinos and their partners, with $140.7 million in revenue. This is a 23.7% increase from the same period last year.
The Borgata/BetMGM brand hit 13 straight months of being the top online casino in the state. BetMGM broke its own ceiling and landed $40.1 million in revenue for March.
Golden Nugget also had an all-star month by reporting $38.2 million. Resorts held on to third and showed monthly growth by reaching $30.8 million.
According to the NJDGE, overall gaming revenue reported by casino, racetracks, and partners was $423.7 million for March. That’s a 17.9% increase from $359.3 million reported in March 2021.
Gaming taxes represent 8% of taxable casino gross revenue and 15% of Internet gaming gross revenue.
PA online poker tops $3 million, online gaming sets records
Not only is Pennsylvania the top state in the US for online poker revenue, it also set iGaming records for March. Pennsylvania online poker revenue was $3.2 million in the month, up from $2.8 million in February.
The commonwealth currently has three online poker choices:
- PokerStars
- partypoker US Network via the Borgata Poker and BetMGM skins
- WSOP.com
PokerStars operates through Mount Airy casino and has been the top-ranked platform in the state. The site saw a monthly gain, reporting $1.9 million in March, up from $1.6 million in February.
WSOP.com, which is partnered with Harrah’s Philadelphia, was also up month over month with revenue of $918,959.
Partypoker US Network (BetMGM/Borgata Poker) is a joint player pool through Rivers Casino and Penn National. The company saw small growth and reported $381,227.
Internet gaming in the Keystone State broke a record by posting $110 million for the first time. As reported by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, total March gaming (both online and live) revenue was $462.7 million.
The state reported annual growth of 24.4%. According to the PGCB, March iGaming taxes alone accounted for $48.9 million.
PA poker rooms continue tournament series
Pennsylvania tournament players are gaining new options each month in the live poker scene. Pittsburgh and Philadelphia casinos have announced some big guaranteed monthly tournaments.
Here’s a look at open live brick-and-mortar 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
WSOP.com goes live in Michigan
Michigan made some big news recently as WSOP.com went live in the state. This was on top of the news that an interstate compact deal was also in place for the state.
The Wolverine State also broke yet another record. According to the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), Michigan online casinos and poker brought in $131.6 million in revenue. The previous record was set in February at $122.8 million.
That figure includes online poker as the state combines poker and online gaming in its revenue report. Online poker revenue isn’t broken out separately. There are now three online poker sites in Michigan including:
- PokerStars
- BetMGM (part of the partypoker US Network)
- WSOP.com
After a successful March Mania, BetMGM also hosted a Cheap Stakes Series in April. BetMGM continues offering monthly series.
PokerStars had a big month and should see good results again in April after completing its Michigan SCOOP. Recently USPoker caught up with a Michigan player who scored three SCOOP titles in the same day.
WSOP.com is new to the state but isn’t waiting around to start pushing the promotions. The site announced WSOP Online Circuit events and WSOP Main Event satellites will take place this spring.
The Mid-States Poker Tour also recently announced a stop at FireKeepers in Battle Creek. The series features a $1 million guaranteed event in May.
Sports betting surges in MI
In other Michigan news, March Madness helped propel BetMGM and FanDuel on the sports betting side. Both saw their best months of the year. BetMGM posted $46.8 million and FanDuel showed $22.4 million.
Gaming operators in total produced $24.7 million in tax revenue and local share to the state including:
- Internet gaming taxes and payments – $23.9 million
- Internet sports betting taxes and payments – $805,334
Six Michigan brick and mortar live poker rooms are open in the state, including:
- MGM Grand Detroit
- Motor City Casino
- Greektown Casino
- Odawa Casino Petoskey
- Firekeepers Casino
- Island Resort & Casino
Delaware poker revenue helps state iGaming hit $1 million
The First State also saw month gains, reporting $36,050 for online operators, up from $32,280 in February.
According to the Delaware Lottery, iGaming in total showed a net of over $1 million. New player registrations stayed strong with 886 in March.
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 each month in the state for online poker, reporting $17,687 in March. Delaware Park is the only live poker room open in the state and is currently looking for dealers.