Key Takeaways
- It is now a year since Delaware became the second US State to launch licensed online poker—the state treasury, players and the three licensed operators have little to celebrate.
- Cash game participation rates have been the lowest in any nationally or state regulated market. However, the Governor of Delaware, with its population of well under one million, quickly recognized a key problem, that of liquidity.
- The interstate compact with Nevada offers the best hope for an early boost to both revenue numbers and player liquidity.
- If participation rates move to Nevada levels, Delaware could see cash game numbers increase to a seven day moving average of around 60.
- The potential impact is for revenues from online poker to increase by six or seven times.
It is now a year since Delaware became the second US State to launch licensed online poker—the state treasury, players and the three licensed operators have little to celebrate.
Three racino operators put up the $500k needed for the initial application and 888 won the contract to be the monopoly supplier of gaming software. Dover Downs, Harrington Raceway and Delaware Park compete within a closed market, offering players different incentives to join the same player pool.
