The state of Delaware may have been the first to offer online casino and poker gaming in the United States, but they always seem last when it comes to earnings. Many factors can be contributed to this including the fact that Delaware has only 3 racinos offering online casino game play as well as the small population of the state. Since launching, Delaware has seen ups and downs in regards to online gaming revenues, earning a nice increase from July to August, with August being the most productive month of 2015.
In the three months leading up to August, Delaware saw less than stellar numbers when it comes to online casino and poker game play. When comparing the total gaming revenue of July to August, there is an increase of 12%. The three sites of the state were able to earn $159,000 in August, with an increase in poker gaming by 10%, creating $31,200 of the total gaming revenues. Online casino game play has always been the more popular format offered in Delaware and continues to be the big revenue earner for the state.
While August was the big month this year, the numbers are down when compared to the same time frame in August. Comparing poker numbers, the state saw a decrease by as much as 20%. When looking at the overall gambling revenues earned, the state saw as much as 8% in decreased earnings.
Delaware was the very first to begin offering gaming in the United States but has struggled to see consistent traffic numbers as well as low revenues. The state signed an agreement with the state of Nevada in the hopes of seeing heavier player traffic but this has not happened yet. Players have been logging on to the sites offered by Delaware but not in the numbers needed to have large revenue numbers. Many months, the state struggled to even hit the $100,000 mark in earnings.
Operating the online casino game play are the three racinos in the state. Dover Downs, Delaware Park and Harrington provide online gambling with Delaware Park being the top operator of the state. Delaware Park has been able to earn 70% of the online poker revenues while all the racetracks feed into the same room. The revenues are based on where the players enter from.
All the racinos are trying to determine what they can do to up the ante, bringing in more players and seeing steady traffic numbers. When compared to New Jersey and Nevada, Delaware has been lacking in the marketing aspect of online casino gaming. The racinos have not advertised which is the best way to see movement when it comes to gamers. Players who see advertising will be more likely to log on and play. With incentives and promotions, players are sure to come back for more. But Delaware does not seem to be taking these steps to secure players.
New Jersey has also been struggling as far as revenues are concerned. 2015 has seen lower revenue numbers, which is troubling. The low numbers are based on the estimates created before the industry began. The industry was estimated to be able to earn millions more than what is being brought in. Are players not logging in due to feeling like the industry is not really regulated? Do players feel like they will be breaking the law? Or are gamblers just saving their money for trips to land based casinos or perhaps gambling is just not that popular anymore. It can be any number of reasons as to why the industry is not doing well currently. There are still a few months left in the year, so it will be interesting to see how well the states do as the year progresses.
