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Delaware Lottery iGaming Grows as Online Poker Dips

Written by Jennifer Newell
Last updated on
Jennifer Newell

The small-but-mighty internet gaming market of Delaware has a story to tell. Its three gaming sites – all on one network but branded through Delaware Park, Dover Downs, and Harrington Raceway – pushed through 2020 so far with resilience.

The Delaware Lottery released the September igaming revenue numbers showing another incredible year-on-year increase in all igaming sectors. There was monthly growth overall, too, though the video lottery sector carried the group.

As we always say, the revenue generated by the small Delaware market doesn’t compare to that of New Jersey or Pennsylvania internet gaming. But the Delaware Lottery is quite happy with its contributions to the industry. And during a year when the three live venues had to close for months at a time due to the coronavirus pandemic, the igaming options provided much-needed revenue.

Let’s break it down.

Online Poker Down Slightly in September

The online poker sector of Delaware’s igaming industry hit some highs this year during the pandemic, though the monthly revenue seems to have leveled off. The dip in September mimics the trend in New Jersey and Pennsylvania but at a smaller percentage.

However, if the second wave of the pandemic forces racinos to close again, Delaware can expect another rise through the winter months.

–September 2020 online poker rake/fees:  $51,403.61 (5.83% month-on-month decrease)

–August 2020:  $54,584.02 (12.8% decrease)

–July 2020:  $62,603.99 (8.4% increase)

–June 2020:  $57,742.58 (38.6% decrease)

–May 2020:  $93,973.39 (11.8% increase)

–April 2020:  $84,033.67 (45.7% increase)

–March 2020:  $57,689.50 (86.9% increase)

–February 2020:  $30,870.96 (1.3% decrease)

–January 2020:  $31,279.77

The year-on-year growth for online poker remains impressive. It started with a 124% increase in March and more than doubled with a 276% year-on-year increase in April. May saw the highest yearly jump of 329%. That slowed to 141% in June, 121% in July, and 116% in August. September’s year-on-year increase was up to 146%.

Internet Gaming Sector Up Again Overall

Combining online table games, video lottery, and online poker, the Delaware Lottery came up with its monthly revenue of $840,146.49 for September. That was a monthly increase for the second month in a row after a slowdown in June and July.

Again, if the pandemic forces racino closures again in the coming months – or if a second wave makes it too risky to go to the live venues – the increases may continue each month.

–September 2020 igaming revenue total:  $840,146.49 (39% month-on-month increase)

–August 2020:  $808,623.37 (14.7% increase)

–July 2020:  $705,532.70 (26.9% decrease)

–June 2020:  $964,606.96 (15% decrease)

–May 2020:  $1,134,900.04 (32.6% increase)

–April 2020:  $856,181.94 (66.3% increase)

–March 2020:  $514,959.34 (58.5% increase)

–February 2020:  $324,957.62 (16.2% decrease)

–January 2020:  $387,865.46

Annual growth started for Delaware igaming in January with 38% and February another 18%…and those were before the pandemic. March jumped up another 78% and then soared to 225% in April, 262% in May, and 275% in June. July’s year-on-year increase was more than 144.4%, and August grew to 179%. September eased up but still produced a 118.3% YoY increase.

Delaware’s market may be small, but the revenue cannot be overlooked, especially in tough economic times. The additional $840K in revenue produced taxes that helped the state in September.

New Registrations Down Again

It seems that many of the people that first opened accounts on the Delaware Lottery-run sites did so earlier in the year. The numbers have been on a downswing since April. In fact, the only two monthly increases in 2020 were in March and April.

Even so, the September number was solid, as there were 546 new players in action.

–September 2020 new registrations:  546 (4.4% decrease)

–August 2020:  571 (14.5% decrease)

–July 2020:  668 (24.2% decrease)

–June 2020:  881 (11.3% decrease)

–May 2020:  993 (29.6% decrease)

–April 2020:  1,410 (52% increase)

–March 2020:  930 (115.8% increase)

–February 2020:  431 (7.9% decrease)

–January 2020:  468

The pandemic will dictate the numbers for the rest of the year. It will all come together to provide a picture that will undoubtedly show the benefits of igaming to any state with a gambling industry.

 

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