Pennsylvania’s online poker scene has welcomed a new player … almost.
Rush Street Interactive’s BetRivers brand cleared the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s (PGCB) protocol late last month for launch in the Keystone State. However, the brand has yet to go live.
PlayUSA reached out to Rush Street Interactive (NYSE: RSI) to get clarity on when the BetRivers online poker site would launch.
Key takeaways
- BetRivers online poker received clearance from Pennsylvania regulators to launch.
- The site is awaiting launch; it does not list an online poker option on its Pennsylvania site.
- Pennsylvania online poker generated more than $2.2 million in revenue in August.
BetRivers arrival is a win for the PA’s online poker players
Pennsylvania’s online poker market includes BetMGM, Borgata Poker, PokerStars and WSOP. When BetRivers goes live, it will be the state’s fifth online poker operator. PGCB Director of Communications Doug Harbach told PlayUSA that adding a new operator to the space is a win for Pennsylvania poker players.
“As with growth in all online gaming sectors, gamblers continue to look for more options in the variety of games,” he said.
To reach its current state, BetRivers had to pass various tests and inspections before receiving the green light from the PGCB.
“This process … involves work ‘behind the scenes’ that can last for weeks, culminating in controlled multi-hour test periods to allow real play and wagering to occur prior to providing an approval to offer the site 24/7,” Harbach said.
PA online poker brings in more than $2 million in August
In August, Pennsylvania’s four online poker operators generated $2.2 million in revenue, down 8.9% year-on-year and around $70,000 compared to July. Both months trailed June, which saw revenue hit $2.4 million.
Year-on-year revenue has fallen in each of the past three months, with June posting 25.4% annual losses. However, the good news is that the disparity between 2024 and 2023 numbers has gotten smaller from June to August.
The prospect of adding another online poker operator to the PA online casino mix could provide a nice boost to revenue.
Harbach remained positive about online poker’s performance this year.
“Patrons interested in participating online has grown significantly as they become more comfortable gambling online and trusting that the sites [offering] games that are fair and reliable,” he said.