ON A ROLL: US Online Poker Has Solid Summer, iGaming Revenue Hits Record Highs
Online poker revenue finished out the summer strong and held solid results. The US market continues to expand and achieve year-over-year growth.
PokerStars, BetMGM/partypoker US, and WSOP.com continue to offer monthly tournament series alongside cash game promotions. In the US, online poker is currently live and legal in the following states:
New Jersey online poker holds on strong
The Garden State online poker community remains consistent. The New Jersey online poker scene has produced over $2 million each month throughout the summer. In total, the state brought in $2.2 million in August as reported by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE).
New Jersey currently has three online poker operators including:
- WSOP.com/888poker
- BetMGM (including the Borgata Poker and partypoker US skins)
- PokerStars
WSOP.com held the number one spot in the state for the fourth consecutive month. However, the site saw a small month-over-month decrease. WSOP.com reported $849,612 in revenue, down from July’s $997,213.
After a month of being in third place, BetMGM regained second place and reported $724,709. The company is currently running the Online Championships series.
PokerStars fell back to third place and reported $632,332. The site recently launched a pathway to a Platinum Pass for US online players, which may add to revenue totals in coming months.
In the New Jersey live poker scene, only three rooms are open in Atlantic City including:
- Borgata (offers weekly tournaments)
- Harrahs
- Tropicana
No casinos have announced plans for guaranteed multi-day live events yet. However, Borgata insiders have made mention of a live series returning to the casino this January.
NJ iGaming sees annual growth
New Jersey online casinos reported $131.4 million in August revenue, a 16.1% increase year over year. The Borgata/BetMGM casino brand hit over $40 million again for the third month in a row.
The company reported $41.8 million in overall iGaming for the month. The site has remained No. 1 in the state for 17 straight months.
Golden Nugget slightly held on to second in overall iGaming with $31.3 million. Resorts stood hot on the Nugget’s heels with $30.7 million.
According to the NJDGE, overall gaming revenue reported by casino, racetracks, and partners was $470.7 million for the month. Year over year, that’s a 10.1% increase from $427.7 million in August 2021.Gaming taxes represent 8% of taxable casino gross revenue and 15% of Internet gaming gross revenue.
Pennsylvania is online poker’s top state
For yet another month, the Keystone State holds the top spot in the US for legal online poker. Pennsylvania held strong month over month and reported $2.7 million in August, according to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). The commonwealth currently has three online poker companies running games in state:
- PokerStars
- BetMGM and the Borgata Poker skin
- WSOP.com
PokerStars continues as the top site in the state and brought in $1.6 million in August. WSOP.com came in second with $635,964. The platform isn’t part of the combined player pool in New Jersey and Nevada, but is hosting six online official bracelet events through October.
BetMGM skins came in third in the state, but saw monthly growth at $413,649. That’s up from July’s total of $383,555.
iGaming reaches another record in PA
The Keystone state set another iGaming record, reporting $107.1 million in total gross revenue. This was a 20.81% year-over-year increase.
State combined total revenue generated from all forms of gaming along with fantasy contests during August was $425 million. This is an increase of 4.2% compared to August 2021 revenue.
PA poker room tournaments, mega bad beat hits record
Rivers Pittsburgh’s record-setting bad beat jackpot was finally hit for over $1.2 million. The Pennsylvania live scene continues to grow in the tristate area.
Bad Beat BONANZA: Rivers Casino Pittsburgh @WinBigRivers Jackpot Awards Over $1.2 Million
– $490K shipped to player with "losing hand"
– Complete details:https://t.co/F3PZsvkf38#poker #pokergrind #casino #casinos #pittsburgh #Pennsylvania— US Poker (@uspoker) August 26, 2022
Here’s a look at open live brick-and-mortar Pennsylvania poker rooms that are currently open:
- 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, poker set another big record in Michigan
Michigan is slowly becoming a powerhouse in the online poker and iGaming scene. According to the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), online casinos in the Wolverine State brought in $154.9 million in revenue for August, setting yet another new record.
Online poker revenue isn’t reported separately, but shows the game’s growth in the state. The report includes the combination of poker and online gaming. There are now three online poker operators including:
- PokerStars
- BetMGM
- WSOP.com
Players are still waiting on a merger with other state poker platforms in Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware.
Michigan poker outlook is growing
BetMGM, PokerStars, and WSOP.com continue producing solid tournament series in Michigan. Revenue numbers are strong as well. Internet gaming gross receipts for August were $130.9 million, up 3.4% from $126.6 million in July.
Online poker revenue isn’t reported separately, so the number is reflected in the combined iGaming results.
BetMGM and FanDuel continue to be first and second place in online gaming. Both companies saw month over month growth. BetMGM reported $49 million and FanDuel saw $19.3 million.
Gaming operators in total produced $25.3 million in tax revenue and local share to the state including:
- Internet gaming taxes and payments – $24.3 million
- Internet sports betting taxes and payments – $989,621
Multiple Michigan brick and mortar live poker rooms are open including:
- MGM Grand Detroit
- Motor City Casino
- Greektown Casino
- Odawa Casino Petoskey
- Firekeepers Casino
- Island Resort & Casino
FireKeepers Casino is currently running satellites to attract players to a $1 million guarantee Mid-States Poker Tour event this October.
Delaware poker down in August
Online poker in Delaware shrunk month over month. The state reported $37,168 in August, slightly down from the $43,943 in July.
For the sixth month in a row, the state reported online gaming revenue of over $1 million. According to the Delaware Lottery, iGaming showed a net of over $1.29 million – again the best of 2022. New player registrations had its second best month with 1,152.
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 grabbed the top spot again and showed its best month of 2022. The operator reported $27,019 in August and has held the top spot every month in 2022.
Delaware Park is the only live poker room open in the state. The casino is currently hiring and paying out bonuses for new employees.