Report: New Jersey Generates $8.4 Million in First Six Weeks of Internet Gaming

January 14, 2014 Chad Holloway

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) has released the December 2013 Gaming Revenue Results, the first to include legalized iGaming. According to the report, the overall Internet gaming win was $8.4 million from Nov. 21, 2013, the beginning of the state’s “soft play” period, to Dec. 31, 2013. That resulted in $1.3 million collected in state taxes.

The report reveals that $7.4 million came from December, meaning $1 million came in the 10 days of play from November. The numbers also reveal that casino games accounted for $5.17 million, or 62% of the revenue, while online poker stood at $3.2 million, or 38% of revenue.

As you can see from the chart below, the Borgata, which is partnered with partypoker, accounted for 45% of the revenue:

Internet Gaming Win for the Month & Year-to-Date Ending Dec. 2013

Property Month Year-To-Date (a) Borgata 3,349,012 3,750,174 Caesars Interactive NJ (b) 2,031,365 2,380,178 Golden Nugget (c) 177,653 179,120 Tropicana 603,579 748,589 Trump Plaza 401,971 427,739 Trump Taj Mahal 825,092 883,037 Total $7,388,672 $8,368,837

(a) The Internet gaming "soft play" period began on Nov. 21, 2013. On Nov. 26, 2013, the casino industry was granted permission to conduct 24-hour Internet gaming operations.

(b) Caesars Interactive NJ holds two internet gaming permits as an affiliate of Bally's AC and Caesars.

(c) Golden Nugget received approval to conduct 24-hour Internet gaming operations on Dec. 13, 2013

“Our network has attracted the largest pool of players in the New Jersey online market, allowing us to offer our customers a wide selection of games and table stakes at all times,” Keith Smith, president of Boyd Gaming, told Wayne Parry of the Associated Press. “This gives our network a significant competitive advantage and positions us for further success … Clearly, online gaming is complementary to our land-based business, not competitive.”

American Gaming Association (AGA) President and CEO Geoff Freeman released the following statement regarding the report:

“New Jersey has responded to consumer demand for gaming entertainment in an innovative fashion—creating a safe and secure online environment with strict regulatory controls and consumer protections. More than 150,000 accounts have been created, and undergone rigorous review and approval with respect to the safety and integrity of this online marketplace since it opened in late November 2013.”

“New Jersey’s online gaming structure will likely strengthen the economic contributions brick-and-mortar casinos already deliver through job creation and increased tax revenues. The New Jersey experience is a testament to the power of effective regulation and I am optimistic the bold move into online gaming will later be viewed as a positive and pivotal time for the gaming industry, our employees and the communities we support.”

The next report from the DGE will be released on Feb. 12.

Get all the latest PokerNews updates on your social media outlets. Follow us on Twitter and find us on both Facebook and Google+!