New Jersey online poker operators will end 2019 on a low unless they can reverse a two-month downswing in the last few weeks of the year.
New Jersey online poker revenue continued to fall in November as casino earnings soar. (Image: Pixabay)
As the festive period looms, the Garden State’s Division of Gaming Enforcement published its latest revenue report.
Reviewing the period between November 1 and 30, the round-up shows that online poker revenue was down for the second straight month.
New Jersey Online Poker Still Hurting
Looking at the data, operators raked $1,492,494. Of the three online poker license holders, Caesars Interactive (888poker/WSOP.com) generated the most revenue with $681,677 in rake.
PokerStars came in second, banking $480,020. While the Borgata and Partypoker rounded out the month with $393,797.
The state’s operators had no such luck in November. As well as month-on-month revenue falling, the final total was 4.4 percent down on the $1,561,639 collected in November 2018.
With earnings moving in the wrong direction, New Jersey online poker operators will hope the season of goodwill can turn things around.
However, while a Christmas miracle may be what’s needed at the poker tables, elsewhere it’s been gifts all-around.
Online Earnings Improve but Changes Are Needed
As per the November report, online casino revenue hit $47,645,412. That total was not only up 9.3 percent on the previous month but 87.7 percent better than it was in November 2018.
Charting a similar course to online casino gaming was sports betting. As the sector starts to mature, monthly revenue topped $32,895,546.
In comparative terms, that was up 54.8 percent on the $21,243,865 wagered in October.
When taken as a whole, online gaming and sports betting are booming in the Garden State. However, as 2019 draws to a close, online poker remains the ugly stepchild.
If there’s a saving grace for players and operators, it’s the recent developments in Michigan. Although the advent of online poker in the Great Lake State won’t keep New Jersey’s operators afloat, it may generate some waves momentum in other states.
Joining up the states is easier said than done, but more liquidity sharing is the only viable option at this point. Even though it has ties with Nevada and Delaware, New Jersey needs to seek out new opportunities.
If the New Jersey online poker industry is going to bounce back, lawmakers needs to consider forging links with states such as Michigan. In lieu of that, local operators will be hoping for a final flurry of activity over the holidays.
