The numbers from August 2026 tell two stories at once. The seven legal US iGaming states generated $1.02 billion in online casino revenue, up 12.3% from August 2025. Yet in the states that report poker separately, online poker revenue kept falling. Pennsylvania's online poker revenue dropped 5.2% to $2.4 million, and New Jersey's poker revenue fell 3.2%, according to Card Player's summary of state reports. Poker is the smallest slice of regulated online gambling, and it is moving in the wrong direction.
The August Snapshot
Start with the healthy side. According to SportsBettingDime, US iGaming revenue reached $1.02 billion in August, the second straight month at that level and the sixth time in 2026 that monthly revenue topped $1 billion. Through eight months, the industry has generated $8.07 billion. By state:
- Pennsylvania: $328.6 million, up 12.7%
- Michigan: $303.0 million, up 15.1%
- New Jersey: $259.3 million, up 4.4%
- Connecticut: $68.7 million, up 17.2%
- West Virginia: $40.9 million, up 24.7%
- Delaware: $15.6 million, up 37.7%
- Rhode Island: $6.6 million, up 36.5%
Against that, Card Player reports that Pennsylvania's online casinos grew 6.3% to $245.7 million in its regulated gaming report while online poker fell 5.2% to $2.4 million. In New Jersey, online casinos rose 4.4% to $259.3 million while poker slipped 3.2%. (The two sources report different Pennsylvania casino totals, so we cite each for its own figures.)
How Small Poker Is
Poker's share of the market is tiny. PokerScout estimates the regulated US online poker sector at roughly $100 million a year. In July 2026, individual state poker revenue ranged from $2.37 million in Pennsylvania to $2.64 million in Michigan and $2.59 million in New Jersey, with Nevada at $0.67 million. Combined revenue across regulated states was $59.0 million through July. By contrast, a single month of US iGaming revenue is $1 billion. Poker is not a rounding error, but it is a small business compared with slots and table games.
Michigan generates the highest per-capita poker revenue in PokerScout's data, while Pennsylvania leads in absolute terms because of its population. But even leading states are not growing.
Why Poker Is Struggling While Casinos Grow
We can identify several forces. Some are documented in the data; others are our analysis.
Casino games scale better. Online slots and table games can absorb almost unlimited players, and operators can tune promotions and content to drive revenue. Poker is a peer-to-peer game: revenue comes from rake on pots and tournament fees, which depends on having enough players at the right stakes at the same time. Card Player notes that Pennsylvania slots were up 8.8%, so the growth is in casino products.
Small player pools. Regulated US poker is fragmented by state, with pooled liquidity only among states that have joined the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement. Smaller pools limit tournament guarantees and cash-game variety. We have covered this constraint in our reporting on the state of US online poker.
Operator attention. The largest US operators are sportsbook and casino businesses first. Poker often ranks lower in their product priorities. Pennsylvania's August sports betting handle fell 3.3% and New Jersey's sports betting revenue plunged 25% (regulators attributed part of it to a later start to the fall sports calendar), so the operators have other priorities on their plate.
Product transitions. PokerScout notes that Flutter discontinued PokerStars-branded US sites and relaunched through FanDuel, which reversed a year of PokerStars revenue losses in its debut month. Transitions like that can temporarily disrupt player habits and the competitive balance.
A Three-Way Race
One bright spot is competition. In July, PokerScout put BetMGM at 31% share ($2.59 million), WSOP at 30% ($2.53 million), and FanDuel Poker at 29% ($2.39 million). The three are within a few points of one another, an unusually balanced market. Competitive markets typically push operators to improve promotions, tournament schedules, and player experience, and we have seen signs of that in series like the Dynasty Series and in promotions aimed at recreational players.
What Falling Poker Revenue Means for Players
Revenue declines do not necessarily mean a worse experience for every player, but they carry consequences.
Guarantees may get tighter. Tournament guarantees depend on expected participation. If player numbers shrink, operators may reduce guarantees or schedule fewer big events. Check the schedule at each site before you commit to a series.
Rakeback and promotions matter more. In a small market, value comes from promotions, rakeback, and loyalty schemes. Our guides to rakeback and what is rakeback explain how to evaluate them, and our bonus page compares current offers.
Offshore alternatives remain part of the picture. Many US players outside regulated states play on offshore sites, where liquidity is larger. We review options such as Americas Cardroom, BetOnline Poker, and Black Chip Poker, and our safe poker sites page explains what to check before depositing. Offshore play carries different legal and consumer-protection considerations, so read the guidance carefully and confirm what is permitted where you live.
What Could Change the Trend
Several developments could shift poker's trajectory. Additional states joining shared liquidity would enlarge player pools. New operator launches or product upgrades, such as mixed games arriving on PokerStars on FanDuel, could attract niche audiences. Legislative activity is also ongoing: Gambling Insider's tracker shows 27 states have introduced gambling proposals in 2026, though most bills remain at early stages. None of these is guaranteed, and poker's revenue could remain flat or continue to decline for some time.
How to Adapt as a Player
If you play in a regulated state, study the tournament schedules of the three main networks and pick the series that offers the best structure for your bankroll. If cash games are your focus, track table counts at your stakes during your usual hours. Use pot odds and equity knowledge to squeeze more value from every session, and keep your bankroll in order, since smaller pools can mean tougher, more regular opponents.
The Bottom Line
August's numbers show a US iGaming industry that continues to set records while poker lags. A $2.4 million monthly figure in Pennsylvania and a 3.2% decline in New Jersey underline how small and fragile the regulated poker market remains. For players, the best response is to stay informed, compare operators carefully, and treat promotions and schedules as the main levers of value. Please play responsibly and only with money you can afford to lose.
Sources: SportsBettingDime August 2026 US online casino revenue report; Card Player coverage of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Michigan August results; PokerScout US online poker revenue tracker; Gambling Insider US bill tracker.