The fight for the top spot in US regulated online poker is tighter than it has been in a long time. Pokerfuse reported in July 2026 that PokerStars on FanDuel earned an estimated $2.6 million in May, versus an estimated $2.8 million for WSOP Online across its four states, the narrowest gap in over a year. The article argued FanDuel could claim first place after the live WSOP ended, and said it could lead the market as early as this fall, if it plays its cards right.
It is now late October, and the most recent detailed numbers we have reviewed are those May figures, so treat this as a snapshot of the trend rather than a current scoreboard. But the structure of the race, and what it means for players, is worth a close look.
The April 1 relaunch
The backdrop is a major change in the US market. On April 1, 2026, PokerStars shut its US sites, which had NJ and MI sharing a player pool and PA segregated. It relaunched hours later as PokerStars on FanDuel, running on Playtech's iPoker software, as a combined three-state network and with FanDuel's customer base behind it.
Traffic reacted immediately. FanDuel's PRO Score, a SharkScope-based traffic metric, spiked to 310 after launch and has settled at 200 to 250. Before the merger, PokerStars PA was about 60 and MI-NJ about 100. Early traffic was boosted by a large launch series, a freeroll promotion and a welcome bonus.
The revenue picture
According to the Pokerfuse analysis, PokerStars on FanDuel earned an estimated $2.6 million in May 2026, slightly below the $2.7 million in April, but 12% higher than May 2025. WSOP Online remains the market leader at an estimated $2.8 million in May across its four states.
The state-level revenue share of the PokerStars-FanDuel network: Pennsylvania 36%, Michigan 35% and New Jersey 29%. Year-over-year performance varied sharply:
- New Jersey: up 19% in April and 37% in May. The strongest performer.
- Michigan: up 2.4% in April and 13% in May.
- Pennsylvania: down 13% in April and 4% in May. An improvement on 2025, when the site fell about 40%, but the author says it should be growing.
Revenue estimates come from Poker Industry PRO, which uses regulator data plus its own estimates where needed. New Jersey figures are exact, Pennsylvania figures are precise because FanDuel does not share its license there, and Michigan figures are estimates. That sourcing note matters: one of the three states is an estimate, so the combined headline numbers carry some uncertainty.
The WSOP halo
WSOP Online has a natural advantage in summer. The live WSOP in Las Vegas creates a halo effect, and the online bracelet series started May 30 and ended July 14. Other promotions the article lists include a $6 million Online Championships, a $4.5 million Online Mega Circuit in July, and a $1,000 reload bonus.
That is why the Pokerfuse author framed the timing around the end of the live series. Once the summer promotional machine winds down, the question is whether FanDuel's network can hold its traffic without a halo of its own. The article describes FanDuel's US poker operation as still in a soft launch phase, with focus partly on Ontario, a basic US poker page and light cross-promotion across its casino and sports products.
Possible expansion includes West Virginia soon and Maine in the future, and the author expects a major fall series comparable to the USCOOP and WCOOP to rival the Ignite Series. We have also seen coverage of PokerStars and FanDuel overlays topping $1.7 million, which suggests the network has been testing big guarantees. We note the overlay story as a separate data point; the Pokerfuse piece does not discuss it.
BetRivers is the third force
The article also points to BetRivers Poker, which took an estimated 10% market share in May, up from prior months. The Big Three each hold about 30%, according to the author. BetRivers had not yet launched in New Jersey at the time, which the author expected it to do despite delays. A third strong competitor changes the dynamics: if the market is a three-way split, small shifts in promotions or traffic can reorder the ranking quickly.
What the leadership race means for players
Market-share races can seem abstract, but they translate directly into the player experience.
Bigger guarantees. When two big brands compete for the top spot, they tend to compete with tournament guarantees and series. Players benefit from more overlay opportunities, as long as the operators keep funding them. Our tournaments page tracks large events.
Better promotions. The same logic applies to bonuses, reloads and rakeback. Our guides to bonuses and rakeback explain how to evaluate them.
Liquidity. Combined player pools make games run more often and at more stakes. PokerStars' merger of NJ and MI, and its addition of PA to the FanDuel network, is liquidity-driven. For a deeper look at how pooling works across states, see our MSIGA shared liquidity report.
Software. FanDuel moved PokerStars onto Playtech's iPoker platform. Players who like the old client may not like the change, and anyone who relied on third-party tools should check what the new software supports. We do not have verified details on tool compatibility.
A caution about the data
Several caveats apply:
- The numbers are estimates through May, reported in July. We have not found a comparable October update in our research.
- A single month can swing on tournament series timing, so one close month does not prove a trend.
- Pennsylvania remains the weak point for PokerStars on FanDuel, even though it generates the biggest share of the network's revenue.
For those reasons, we would not tell anyone to pick a site based on this race alone. Choose based on your state, game selection, software and promotions.
How this connects to the wider market
These operator dynamics sit inside a US market that is regulated state by state. For the full list of where online poker is legal and where it might expand, see our state-by-state map. For broader context on New Jersey, which has been the best-performing state for the PokerStars network, read our September iGaming revenue report. And for how players in the regulated US market compare brands, our US poker page and poker networks guide are the places to start. If you prefer to play offshore, our reviews of BetOnline and Americas Cardroom cover the alternatives.
What to watch next
- A fall flagship series from PokerStars on FanDuel. The Pokerfuse author expected one.
- BetRivers' New Jersey launch. It would add a third competitor in the state where FanDuel is growing fastest.
- West Virginia and Maine. Expansion would add players and reduce reliance on three states.
- Pennsylvania performance. If PA turns positive, the network's growth story strengthens.
- Fresh revenue data. Updated numbers will show whether the gap with WSOP has closed.
Bottom line
The US online poker market is no longer a one-horse race. PokerStars on FanDuel has used its April relaunch, a three-state pool and FanDuel's customer base to close in on WSOP Online, while BetRivers is building a third lane. Whether FanDuel actually takes first place depends on execution in the fall, on Pennsylvania and on how well the network converts its sportsbook customers into poker players. For players, the competition is good news, as long as it keeps producing bigger fields, better promotions and healthier games.