Online Poker Revenue Stays Steady in October, Numbers Mostly Unchanged But Strong

US online poker revenue still is strong and showing potential for growth among regulated states. Overall revenue saw a small decline in October in some regulated states, but overall revenue numbers remain strong.

Overall, online gaming is also up in regulated markets. For online poker, partypoker, PokerStars, and WSOP.com are pushing out monthly promotions to attract players. Currently legalized states include:

• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Michigan
• Nevada
• Delaware

New Jersey online poker continues to hold its own

New Jersey online poker sites accounted for $2.4 million once again in October,  according to the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE). These numbers have been consistent since August.

There are currently three online poker operators:

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

Partypoker held the top spot in the state for the second month in a row after overtaking WSOP.com. The platform reported $933,471 in October, slightly down from the $1 million reported in September.

WSOP.com came in second with $874,997, about a 9% increase from September’s $804,887. 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.

PokerStars took about a 5% drop month over month with revenue of $623,893.

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

• Borgata (offers weekly tournaments)
• Harrahs 
• Tropicana

NJ online gaming on the rise

October proved successful again for New Jersey online casinos which accounted for $127 million, a 35.9% increase over the $93.5 million a year ago.

The Borgata/BetMGM brand continues to grow and dominate the market. The operator remains in the top spot for the eighth straight month.

BetMGM set another new record and took in $38.8 million with Golden Nugget in second place with $34.4 million. Resorts continued trending upward and came in third with $29.2 million.

Total gaming taxes overall for the month were $45.8 million. Gaming taxes represent 8% of taxable casino gross revenue and 15% of Internet gaming gross revenue.

Pennsylvania online poker takes a slight hit

The Keystone State saw another small drop in online poker month-over-month in October. Pennsylvania online poker sites reported $2.85 million in revenue, down from $2.9 million in September.

The commonwealth continues holding the championship belt for the biggest regulated online poker state in the country. Currently there are three online poker options in the Keystone state:

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

PokerStars remains the PA king with $1.85 million generated for October. WSOP.com saw a small dip, reporting $587,311 in the month.

BetMGM/Borgata Poker is making a push to climb the leaderboard. In September revenue reached $411,178, up from $368,246 the month previous.

The two skins are part of partypoker US Network and run monthly Online Series. This month begins the End Boss Series, hosted by brand ambassador Darren Elias.

Online gaming was up overall with gross revenue of $102.8 million in October. The Keystone State continues showing impressive year-over-year growth.

As reported by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, total gaming revenue for October was $425.9 million. That represents an increase of 33% compared to October 2020.

That total topped the all-time monthly revenue high set in July of this year. Taxes from internet gaming play reached $43,302 during October. 

Live poker rooms in PA

Pennsylvania’s brick-and-mortar poker rooms are now offering live poker. Additionally, some tournaments have begun as well. 

Here’s a look at the state’s live poker rooms that are now open include:

• 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 (coming 2022)

Michigan smashes yet another record

Records were meant to be broken. The Wolverine State, according to the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), produced $109.7 million in combined online gaming revenue.

This was up from the previous record of $102.4 million in August. Michigan combines poker and online gaming in the state’s revenue report. There are two real money online poker sites in Michigan:

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

Both BetMGM online casino and FanDuel Casino saw increases. BetMGM led the state in online gaming gross revenue with $41.3 million. FanDuel saw its best numbers in months when they posted $17.6 million in September.

Internet sports betting revenue reached $24.3 million with a record handle of $463.3 million. Handle was up 30.8% from the prior month.

Online gaming operators delivered $20.8 million via tax revenue to the state including:

• Internet gaming taxes and payments – $20.3 million
• Internet sports betting taxes and payments – $552,907

At the moment 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 are offering up big promotions to get players back to the tables.

 

Delaware poker rebounds

The First State saw an online poker jump month over month from September. In October Delaware online poker sites reported revenue of $30,644.

According to the Delaware Lottery, iGaming in general reported it’s second-best month of the year at $930,093. Delaware reported 940 new player registrations in October.

888poker provides all the software for 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

Each site had small month-over-month growth. Delaware Park continues as the top provider in the state and has done so each month in 2021.

Delaware Park brought in $16,340 and is also the only live poker room open in the state. Casinos continue to see labor shortages.

In an attempt to hire more staff throughout the tri-state region, casinos have been posting job announcements.