BetRivers Poker is preparing to take its next major step: an online poker launch in New Jersey. The company has confirmed that work toward regulatory approval and platform readiness is well underway, with expectations that the site could debut in the first half of 2026, — potentially sooner.
The move will extend BetRivers’ existing four‑state network — Pennsylvania, Michigan, Delaware, and West Virginia — into one of the most established online poker markets in the United States. When complete, it will mark the first legal five‑state shared‑liquidity poker network in the country.
BetRivers entered the US online poker space less than two years ago and has expanded rapidly since, connecting all four of its live markets. That foundation has positioned it to add new states efficiently as regulatory approvals are secured.
Last year, the company had initially indicated that a New Jersey rollout could arrive before the end of 2025. While that timeline shifted slightly, BetRivers maintains that New Jersey remains a top priority and that the project has continued to progress behind the scenes.
In response to questions from pokerfuse, Jesse Wilke, Director of Poker Marketing at Rush Street Interactive (RSI), reaffirmed that commitment. “New Jersey continues to be a priority for us, and we’ve made meaningful progress toward launch readiness,” Wilke said. “Our goal is to enter the market thoughtfully and with the right foundation in place, and we expect to be in a position to launch in the near future.”
Regardless of the exact timing, all signs point to BetRivers Poker being on track to go live in New Jersey in the coming months, — a move that would solidify its position as the fastest‑growing regulated online poker network in the US.
With New Jersey approaching the finish line, BetRivers Poker’s expansion story is entering a pivotal phase. The addition of a fifth state would not only complete its initial rollout plan but also redefine the scale of regulated online poker in the US—setting up BetRivers to operate the broadest, most interconnected network ever seen in the market.
- 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)
- Four-state network spanning Pennsylvania, Michigan, Delaware & West Virginia!
- Player-first approach built around user satisfaction, value-driven promotions and meaningful rewards.
On the Verge of the Widest and Fastest Legal US Online Poker Network
A New Jersey launch would do more than simply add another state to BetRivers Poker’s footprint. It would create the first-ever five-state online poker network in the US, instantly making BetRivers Poker the widest-reaching legal online poker operator in the country
The pace of that expansion is particularly notable. Just a couple of years ago, BetRivers Poker had not yet entered the online poker space. A year ago, it was live only in Pennsylvania. Now, it stands on the verge of operating across five states, positioning it as the fastest operator to build a multi-state legal online poker network since regulated online poker was introduced in the US.
Two of those states—Delaware and West Virginia—are especially telling. In both jurisdictions, BetRivers Poker is currently the only legal online poker option. In Delaware, that status is permanent, as the state permits only a single igaming operator, a license held by BetRivers’ parent company.
West Virginia is equally instructive: despite multiple operators holding licenses, none have launched online poker there. BetRivers’ decision to do so underscores its willingness to enter markets regardless of size, even when immediate returns may be limited.
That approach has already paid dividends in Delaware, where online poker revenues are reported on a monthly basis. Since BetRivers Poker took over operations, the state’s online poker revenue has more than tripled, with Delaware consistently posting record-setting months.
The New Jersey Upside
But securing a foothold in New Jersey would represent a far more significant prize. The Garden State is the third-largest regulated online poker market in the country, and a launch there would dramatically increase the operator’s reach and relevance.
Currently, BetRivers’ potential player base spans approximately 26 million people. Adding New Jersey would bring nearly 10 million more into the network, expanding its footprint by roughly 36%. When factoring in shared liquidity and network effects, the practical impact could be even larger, closer to a 40% to 45% boost.
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 |
An influx of players on that scale would have immediate, tangible effects. Tournament guarantees and prize pools would increase, while cash games and SNG Select, the site’s lottery-style sit and go format, would run more frequently and with healthier participation.
Greater liquidity would also put the operator in a stronger position to roll out larger tournaments, more ambitious festival series, and increasingly aggressive promotional offers.
That said, New Jersey remains a highly competitive environment. PokerStars, WSOP, and the BetMGM Poker Network have been firmly established in the state for well over a decade. Even so, BetRivers Poker is well-positioned to benefit from the expansion, particularly among players looking for an alternative to the incumbents.
Part of that appeal lies in the platform’s feature set. BetRivers Poker offers Dynamic Avatars, a built-in heads-up display (HUD), anonymized screen names, a blind lobby, fixed buy-in, and a generous rakeback system that includes the lowest rake in the industry. The recent launch of Splash the Pot adds an additional layer of rakeback on top of existing rewards. Together, these elements provide clear differentiation in what is otherwise a crowded and relatively uniform market.
Despite operating in just four states, two of them relatively small, BetRivers Poker has already demonstrated an aggressive promotional strategy. At any given time, the room typically runs three to four promotions simultaneously. That level of activity stands out, particularly when compared to competitors that have been live for years but offer far fewer ongoing incentives.
With New Jersey expected to become the fifth state in the near future and the possibility of additional states down the line, the trajectory for BetRivers Poker remains one of the most compelling stories in the US online poker market.
