Earlier this week, both Delaware and Nevada disclosed their iGaming statistics for August. Nevada experienced its poorest month of 2014, while Delaware saw its most successful month for online poker since May.
In August, online poker in Nevada reported just $742,000, marking a 22% decrease from July. Meanwhile, Delaware saw a 24% increase in online poker from July, amounting to $38,655. These figures represent significant percentage variations from their respective July numbers for both states.
Nevada Drops Not Unexpected
On the surface, Nevada’s 22% drop appeared ominous, but it should have been anticipated in reality. The incorporation of the World Series of Poker into WSOP.com solely resulted in the state’s numbers since May.
Poker players in Nevada were actively participating in various online events and WSOP satellites from the end of May to mid-July, aiming to boost their virtual bankrolls.
WSOP officials modified rules to permit players to participate online throughout the final table of a live event, even during live play. Other facilities like a special window for deposits and a “grinding station” were provided to make it easy for players to go online during their Vegas visit.
Online poker wasn’t the only sector that struggled in August. A 3.7% decrease in revenue was experienced by the state, primarily due to a decrease in high-end baccarat games.
The key issue to consider is the future trajectory of Nevada’s revenue. There was a 15 percent decrease in revenue from April to May, but this was followed by three of the state’s most profitable months ever. It’s possible that the state could see a similar rebound in the future.
Delaware Numbers Remain Flat Despite Online Poker Jump
The Delaware Lottery has announced an earning of $38,655 from online poker in August, marking a 24% rise from July. This is the second consecutive month that the state has seen a double-digit growth in online poker. The recent upgrade in software by the state’s three iGaming sites is partly responsible for this jump. The enhancements include a MAC client and a web-based iGaming client.
Despite a rise in online poker traffic, the overall growth remained stagnant for the month. Delaware’s earnings were $172,854.50, a minor increase of $358.09 compared to July. However, this amount is significantly less than the $106,922 the state earned from poker in December.
Nevada Online Poker Saw Year-Over-Year Increase
The August iGaming figures brought some positive news. The win for August was $742,000, marking an 8.65% increase from 2013 when the state collected $677,000. It’s worth noting, however, that the landscape of online poker in Nevada has since changed.
In August 2013, Ultimate Poker was the sole operating site in Nevada. It wasn’t until September 2013 that WSOP.com began accepting real-money customers. Meanwhile, Real Gaming remained a play-money site.
Will Ultimate Gaming Refocus Impact Fall Revenues?
Ultimate Gaming has recently withdrawn from New Jersey due to the bankruptcy of the Trump Taj Mahal. The company has recently stated that they will concentrate on their Nevada product to deliver a top-tier gaming experience.
This could imply a range of promotions and tournaments aimed at attracting players and boosting overall revenue. Now that the summer tournaments are finished, players are in search of action, and a well-scheduled series of tournaments could help bridge this gap.
The forthcoming months could be crucial for the industry in Nevada, as Ultimate Poker’s push could stimulate competition and attract players. This could subsequently lead to an increase in the state’s internet win.
