Pennsylvania emerged as the leading regulated online poker state in the US for February. For months, New Jersey and Pennsylvania have been neck and neck in revenue.
In February PA slightly pulled ahead in the rankings. Michigan is also now in the mix since PokerStars launched in January.
Overall, despite being a short month regulated online poker markets saw strong numbers for the month.
New Jersey sees major online poker gains
According to the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE), online poker was up 44% year over year in February. Online operators brought in revenue of $2.48 million.
However, this is slightly down from the $2.7 million reported in January. Three online poker platforms currently operate in the Garden State including:
- WSOP.com/888poker (Caesars Entertainment)
- PokerStars (Resorts Casino)
- partypoker US Network (Borgata/MGM)
The site rankings remained the same as seen in January. WSOP.com holds on slightly in first place with revenue of $955,000. Despite holding on to the top spot, the site has seen decreasing numbers for the last few months.
Currently the WSOP.com Online Circuit Series runs 12-18 events each month. The platform also shares liquidity with Nevada and 888poker in Delaware. The site hasn’t yet launched in Pennsylvania or Michigan.
The partypoker US Network came in second with $796,647. Partypoker includes the BetMGM and BorgataPoker.com skins. The platform has held on to the silver medal for two months.
Partypoker is looking to boost numbers again this month. The site has plans for some live streamed online events in March. The operator is hosting the upcoming Online Series with eight events with $300,000 guaranteed overall.
PokerStars took third again with $728,945, but saw the least amount of decrease among all operators.
Online gaming continues to surge in NJ
Internet gaming as a whole in NJ reported $93.8 million in February revenue. Year over year, that’s an increase of 80.4% for online sites.
Golden Nugget remains the state’s top online casino but Borgata is closing in. Nugget online pulled in $27.9 million with Borgata posting $25.7 million.
For February, all NJ online casinos produced $30.2 million in gaming tax revenue for the state. Gaming taxes represent 8% of taxable casino gross revenue and 15% of Internet gaming gross revenue. New Jersey has only two live poker rooms open to the public – Harrah’s and Borgata.
Live casinos may see some uptick in visitors this spring. As of March 19, Gov. Phil Murphy (D) will allow casinos to operate at 50% capacity. Additional COVID rules still apply.
PA online poker moves ahead
After a big February, Pennsylvania is now the top online regulated poker state. Poker players produced revenue of $2.5 million, according to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB).
That was slightly down from the $2.7 million in January, but enough to beat out New Jersey.
Mount Airy Casino partners with PokerStars in the state. The company remains the only online poker operator in the state. February tax revenue generated from online poker accounted for $370,000 to state coffers.
Pennsylvania currently has seven live poker rooms in operation including:
- Parx Casino
- Mohegan Sun Pocono
- Mount Airy Casino Resort
- Rivers Casino Philadelphia
- Rivers Casino Pittsburgh
- Meadows Racetrack and Casino
- Philadelphia Live Casino
Online casinos double revenue in Michigan
Michigan reported a nice revenue total after only a January report that accounted only for a partial month due to launch. Michigan reports online casinos and poker revenue together brought in $79.7 million. This was up from the $29.4 million in January.
Online gaming, including poker, officially launched in January in Michigan. The state doesn’t currently separate online casino revenue by different games.
As of February, PokerStars remains the only online poker site in the state. As in PA and NJ, Stars players can only play among other players in Michigan.
Super Bowl betting helped ignite February’s sports betting totals in the state. Online sportsbooks took in $301.9 million in bets, up 162% from January. Online gaming revenue produced $14 million in tax revenue.
Even though it may be a ringed-in state so far, even some pros are on the hunt. That includes Michigan native and 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event champion Joe Cada.
Playing on Michigan PokerStars is the closest comparison to the birth online poker. I feel like I’m playing on Party Poker back in 2003.
— Joseph Cada (@JoeCada99) March 15, 2021
There are currently four brick and mortar poker rooms opened within the state borders including:
- MGM Grand Detroit
- Motor City Casino Hotel
- Greektown Casino-Hotel
- Odawa Casino Petoskey
Online poker revenue rises in Delaware
Delaware online poker had a small decrease from January. The First State reported a total revenue of $39,193 for February.
The positive side is poker revenue continues to grow year over year. Delaware iGaming reported almost a 25% increase in poker revenue since February 2020.
888poker is the only operator in the state. Online poker runs through three skins in partnership with the state’s racetrack casinos including:
- Delaware Park
- Dover Downs
- Harrington Casino and Raceway
Delaware Park continues to show growth and took in $25,612. The casino had almost a 10% increase month over month. This accounts for 64% of all online poker revenue. Harrington online casino also saw a small increase month over month.
Delaware live poker rooms have remained closed since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Online poker continues to be the only option for the state’s players. No announcements have been made about reopening live poker rooms yet.
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