BetRivers Poker, the newest entrant into the regulated US online poker market, has been very active since it expanded into three new states and launched a four-state shared liquidity network.
The operator has ensured that there is never a shortage of promotions, with several promotional campaigns scheduled every single month. It is also set to host its very first Championship Series, which will take place from September 21 through October 5, offering a guaranteed prize pool of $500,000.
From a marketing standpoint, BetRivers Poker has been aggressive with promotions, consistently offering more campaigns than many of its competitors. This marks an improvement over its earlier days operating as Run It Once Poker in the international market, where promotions were present but relatively modest in scale.
At present, BetRivers Poker is operational in four states. The operator first made its entry into the US market with the launch in Pennsylvania in late October of last year. Then, in June this year, it expanded into Michigan, Delaware, and West Virginia. In fact, in Delaware and West Virginia, BetRivers Poker is currently the sole legal option for online poker.
Effectively, BetRivers is now active in nearly every state where online poker has been legalized and is a member of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA).
- The best online poker software in the US with the lowest cash game rake.
- Generous 100% deposit match bonus up to $1000 ($250 in Delaware)
- Now live for players in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Delaware & West Virginia!
Next Stop: New Jersey
The one remaining state missing from its portfolio is New Jersey.
New Jersey was one of the earliest states to regulate online poker and has developed into a mature market over the years, supported by the presence of PokerStars, WSOP, and BetMGM, three established operators that have been running there for over a decade.
BetRivers Poker, however, is also preparing to make its debut in New Jersey. When the operator announced its multi-state expansion in June, it specifically stated that it intended to go live in New Jersey by the end of the year.
Now, with the year drawing to a close and only three months remaining, there is still no official launch timeline. However, expectations are that BetRivers will go live in New Jersey by November.
This launch would represent a major milestone for the site. Just one year ago, the platform had not even gone live. With the New Jersey rollout, it would become the very first and only operator licensed to offer regulated online poker across five separate states.
Such an achievement would be unprecedented. Since the introduction of regulated online poker in the US, no operator has managed to establish a footprint across this many states simultaneously.
Securing entry into New Jersey is a particularly significant accomplishment. The state is the third-largest regulated online poker market in the country, and launching there will allow BetRivers to greatly expand its reach.
Potential Boost from New Jersey Liquidity
At present, BetRivers Poker’s potential reach covers roughly 26.3 million people. Entering New Jersey would add close to 10 million more, expanding its footprint by about 36%. With the network effect of increased liquidity, the effective boost could be even greater — closer to 40% or 45%.
BetRivers Poker Market Access
| State | Population |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 13.1 million |
| Michigan | 10 million |
| West Virginia | 1.7 million |
| Delaware | 1.5 million |
| 26.3 million | |
| New Jersey | 9.5 million |
| 35.8 million |
This influx of new players would directly increase tournament guarantees and prize pools. Cash games and SNG Select, the site’s lottery-style sit and go format, would run with greater frequency and attract more participants.
With higher liquidity, the room will be in a stronger position to host larger tournaments, more ambitious tournament series, and even more generous promotional offers.
Of course, it will still be entering a highly competitive market where PokerStars, WSOP, and the BetMGM Poker Network have been firmly established for over a decade. Even so, BetRivers Poker stands to benefit from the expansion. Its arrival will also attract players interested in trying something new, especially since BetRivers offers a range of unique features that set it apart from rivals.
These include Dynamic Avatars, a built-in heads-up display (HUD), anonymized screen names, a blind lobby, fixed buy-in structures, and a generous rakeback system with the lowest rake in the industry. These features provide clear differentiation in what is otherwise a crowded and fairly homogeneous market.
Momentum and Milestones Ahead
Despite these advances, BetRivers Poker still has a long way to go. However, the early signs are promising. The site began with modest tournament guarantees, but these have steadily increased each month. Recently, the site hosted its largest guarantee to date — $30,000 — and will be hosting a $40,000 guarantee as part of its Championship Series.
Once the New Jersey launch is completed, these guarantees could climb to $50,000 or even higher, placing BetRivers in the same league as PokerStars, BetMGM, and WSOP.
Although an exact date for the New Jersey launch has not yet been confirmed, Rush Street Interactive (RSI), the parent company of BetRivers Poker, has publicly stated during its earnings call that the launch will take place later in the year, once all regulatory requirements specific to the state are satisfied.
Phil Galfond, the founder of Run It Once Poker and now deeply involved with BetRivers Poker, also emphasized this point earlier in the year. He noted, “Later this year, BetRivers expects to add New Jersey as well, making the experience even better. I want BetRivers Poker, a platform that truly cares about the player experience and the long-term viability of online poker, to be an option for as many players as possible.”
