Online gambling revenue for the state of Delaware in the month of November increased a whopping 42% over October totals.
The three igaming sites of Harrington Raceway, Dover Downs and Delaware Park took in a combined $184,898, the fourth-highest total since launching one year ago. Revenue numbers for the previous month were a collective $130,268.
That certainly is welcome news for a regulated industry that has experienced its share of problems since launching in 2013, problems that include almost steadily declining revenue. Not only in Delaware, but the other two regulated states of Nevada and New Jersey as well.
Delaware igaming peaked in April at $240,762 and saw its lowest numbers posted in its first month of operation in November, 2013 at $111,387. In all fairness, action on the online gaming tables in the opening month were down due to not operating for a full month.
Delaware Park remains the most popular site for players in The First State, grabbing a 66% share of the market with November revenue of $122,894. Dover Downs enjoys 17% of the ring-fenced market at $31,421, while Harrington Raceway is just a few dollars behind at $30,582.
Internet Poker Revenue
Online poker revenue totals also increased over October gains, as the game of skill took in $32,814 when toting the earnings from all three sites. That was 15% higher than the month before when $28,465 was collected from poker rake and fees. Delaware Park sees the bulk of the state’s ipoker action at 59%.
Online poker in Delaware experienced its best month in December, 2013 when $106,922 was pulled in for the month. November, 2014 revenue totals are down 69% from that high.
It’s quite obvious from analyzing the numbers that online poker players turned out quite well upon launching last year considering Delaware’s small population of less than a million. But many turned away and haven’t come back to the virtual poker tables probably because there just is not enough action.
Online poker requires a large player pool to be attractive to players that tend to enjoy an assortment of games available — both game types and stake levels. It’s difficult to achieve liquidity in a state that draws from such a tiny amount of residents.
Delaware is expected to attract more Internet poker players once its interstate compact with Nevada comes into play. That agreement was brokered way back in February and Delawareans have been waiting patiently for the launch to occur.
There were a combined 308 new signups in November at the three online gaming sites available in the state. That, unfortunately, clocks in as the lowest monthly total ever. A total of 2,654 Delaware residents signed up to play in the first month of operation, the largest number by far of any month.
