Delaware iGaming Revenue Notches Second Best Month Ever

The smallest of the three regulated states enjoyed a huge increase in online poker and gambling revenue in February, as the three gaming sites operating in Delaware took in a collective $229,789.

That was the second highest amount ever recorded since The First State launched in November 2013. The record was set way back in April 2014 when Delaware Park, Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway combined to tally $240,762 in igaming revenue.

February’s total was a 20% increase over the $190,829 in January. Year-over-year, the gain was a humongous 60%, as February 2015 saw Delaware’s gaming sites take in $143,101.

Table Games

Online casino table games were responsible for $97,899 in revenue last month, a massive increase the likes of which have not been recorded since December 2014 when net profits on table games reached $99,823. Month-over-month, February’s total dwarfed the $26,089 in January, resulting in an increase of 275%.

Action at online table games such as blackjack and roulette passed the $5 million mark last month, as Delaware punters wagered $5,666,784. The gamblers managed to win back $5,568,885 of that amount. The last time that $5 million was bet in a month was May 2015 ($5,610,095).

Video Lottery

Revenue from the video lottery terminals tumbled for the first time in three months. February’s net gain of $103,596 was a drop off of 25% from the $138,391 collected in January. That decrease occurred despite a record amount wagered in February – $2,102,868.

Annually, video lottery terminals are required to “return between 87% and 95% of all wagers,” according to the Delaware Lottery. The state’s three racinos operate more than 6,300 video lottery machines combined.

Online Poker

Rake and fees from Delaware’s virtual poker tables came in at $28,294 in February, an increase of 7.4% over the previous month. Year-over-year the totals are not as encouraging, recording an 18% decrease from the $34,526 of one year ago.

Delaware online poker players enjoy a shared player pool with WSOP.com in Nevada. The interstate partnership averages about 160 ring game players, according to PokerScout.com. That’s as much or more than a bunch of other online poker rooms and networks such as Equity or Horizon (formerly Revolution), even though those networks accept players from around the globe.

Poker Bonuses

Poker sites in Delaware give instant cash bonuses when players make their first deposit. Depending on the amount deposited, those immediate cash bonuses can reach $30 at Delaware Park, $25 at Dover Downs, and $20 at Harrington Raceway.

Nothing prevents players from grabbing the bonuses available at all three sites by making the necessary initial deposits and playing online poker. A total of 378 players registered at Delaware gaming sites in February, and it’s likely that a number of them are doing just that – collecting the bonus offered first at one poker room and then at another.