Revenue from regulated online poker in New Jersey dropped to $2.4 million in August, down 20% from the previous month, according to data from the New Jersey Department of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE).
Despite the decline, the poker revenue figures for August illustrate that the state’s online poker rooms are beginning to stabilize from the impact of the pandemic. August 2021 poker revenue was down 19.5% year-over-year, the smallest decrease in the last six months.
August was also poker’s second-best month since March 2021, when the online poker rooms in New Jersey collectively made $2.7 million.
Caesars and its WSOP NJ brand continued to lead rivals Borgata and Resorts in the space, generating $965k and claiming about 40% of the online poker market. The operator likely benefited from online bracelet events held throughout August. Still, Caesars’ poker revenue was down from $1.7 million in July.
Borgata Poker NJ and its partners, BetMGM Poker NJ and partypoker NJ, combined for $800k in revenue and 33% of the market, up from $737k and 24% in July. Resorts and its PokerStars NJ partner also made gains in August, grossing $678k and clinching about 28% of the market, up from $622k and 20% the previous month.
While Borgata’s market share for poker grew since the 24.7% it had a year ago during the pandemic, Caesars and Resorts have both slipped from, respectively, the 40% and 32% stakes they had in the market a year ago.
Online casino revenue down, but going strong
NJDGE data show online casino revenue was $110.8 million in August, down from last month’s record high of $115.6 million, but it was still the third-highest month since the market’s inception.
The online casino market continued to grow at a healthy clip, up nearly 31% year-to-year from the $84.7 million made in August 2020. The market also continued to be dominated by three operator networks: Borgata, Golden Nugget and Resorts.
Borgata Casino NJ and its partners — BetMGM Casino NJ, PartyCasino NJ and Pala — remained atop the state’s other online casino operators, collectively grossing a record $36.5 million and grabbing 33% of the online casino market. Both were up slightly from the $35.7 million and 31% stake Borgata had in July.
Golden Nugget Atlantic City was close behind Borgata with $29.8 million in revenue and 27% of the market, while Resorts continued to occupy third place with revenue totaling $20.9 million and a 19% stake in August. Both operators saw revenue and market share slip from July.
Sportsbook revenue also down slightly
New Jersey’s online sportsbooks collectively made $48.2 million in August, down 5% from the $50.7 million they grossed in July, according to the NJDGE.
Revenue from the sportsbooks was off 35% from a record high $74.2 million in January 2021.
Meadowlands Racetrack and its sports betting partner, FanDuel Sportsbook, grossed $23.6 million in August, down from $29.5 million in July.
Meanwhile, Resorts and its stable of partners —which includes DraftKings Sportsbook, FOX Bet NJ and Resorts’ own branded sportsbook — had $13 million in revenue in August, up from $10.6 million in July.
Borgata and its BetMGM Sportsbook NJ partner had $5.7 million in revenue in August, down slightly from $5.9 million in July.
