When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it created an online poker boom across the globe. Players were stuck in their homes, afraid to get out, and many turned to poker gaming for entertainment. In the US, New Jersey saw a huge increase in player participation due to the outbreak. Players were logging in at record numbers to play cash games as well as tournaments. Over the summer, online poker earnings reached the $3 and $4 million mark, which is odd for New Jersey. They usually earn just over $1 million or so. For the past few months, the earnings have lessened, but the industry is still pulling over $2.5 million as reports from October were just released.
October Earnings for Online Poker Industry in New Jersey
Figures provided by the Division of Gaming Enforcement show that the month brought in $2,517,774 from cash games and tournaments. This was a huge 53.5 percent increase from October of last year. However, it was slightly lower than the earnings from September.
In New Jersey, the only operators who provide online poker gaming are Resorts Digital, Caesars and the Borgata. For Caesars Interactive Division, the operator saw an increase in rake by over 37 percent year over year. The brand pulled in just over $950,000 last month. The brand operates via WSOP so they can pull players in from Nevada which helps to boost earnings.
Resorts Digital operates with PokerStars, and they saw just over $842,000 in earnings last month. This was a more than 50 percent increase from the same month last year. Borgata came in last with $723,816 in earnings. They work with partypoker and saw a huge 85.5 percent increase from last year’s earnings.
Each of the online poker sites provided some type of special gaming over the past few months including in October. It is these events that keep players coming back for more and taking part in cash games as well as tournament options. The WSOP provided its Fall Online Circuit series last month while PokerStars served up its New Jersey Championship of Online Poker.
Even More Online Poker Action to Come
It will not be surprising to find these online poker sites providing even more action over the next few weeks as 2020 comes to a close. The poker series and special events have been big draws among players, and we expect even more will be added to the schedule to try and round out the year with a bang.
The WSOP has already made a huge announcement for December. The site will be hosting the WSOP Main Event online as well as in live format. Players in New Jersey can take part. Satellites will be provided to the $10,000 event so that players can try to win their way into the tournament for just $1.
As the Main Event gets underway, Caesars should expect even more growth for its online poker site in the Garden State. We expect PokerStars and partypoker to also provide something exciting as a year ender, though no announcements have been made yet. The totals will surely be something to view once November and December come to an end!
