The US online poker market is not growing, and the data from August makes that plain. Regulated online poker revenue stood at about $8.8 million, roughly flat over the previous four months and down around 2% year over year. Yet one operator is bucking the trend: PokerStars on FanDuel grew revenue 14% year over year, while WSOP Online fell 10% and BetMGM Poker dropped 16%.
That divergence tells a story about market share, product investment and the limits of regulated poker's growth. Here is what the numbers show and what they mean for players.
The headline numbers
According to PokerNews' analysis of Poker Industry PRO data, PokerStars on FanDuel generated approximately $2.6 million in revenue across Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania in August. From April through August 2026 it generated an estimated $12.9 million, compared with $11.8 million in the same period of 2025, which is 9.4% growth.
Meanwhile, the total regulated market remained near $8.8 million per month. The implication is that PokerStars' gains are coming mostly from other operators rather than from new players entering the market. PokerNews described this as PokerStars "poaching" players rather than benefiting from expansion.
State-by-state picture
The growth is uneven:
- New Jersey: PokerStars is estimated to be the largest individual poker site there, with about 30% year-over-year growth.
- Michigan: growth at a similar rate to New Jersey.
- Pennsylvania: still down year over year despite access to interstate liquidity.
Pennsylvania's weakness is notable. The state joined the multi-state player pool, which in theory should create larger tournaments and bigger guarantees. But the numbers suggest that shared liquidity alone does not guarantee growth if the player base is not expanding. For a deeper look at state revenue, see our coverage of Pennsylvania's August gaming revenue and our US online poker revenue report for July.
What PokerStars is doing differently
PokerNews highlights several player-facing changes by PokerStars on FanDuel:
- Doubling starting stacks for the Nightly Stars tournaments from 5,000 to 10,000 chips
- Increasing guarantees to $25,000 on select nights
- Introducing weekly leaderboards with $2,500 in tournament tickets each week
- Launching NFL-themed promotions with jackpot offers
Deeper starting stacks are a quiet but meaningful change. They lengthen tournaments, increase postflop play and make the games feel more like live poker. Players who enjoy skill-based poker prefer deeper structures, and the change appears to be paying off.
We also covered the recent FanDuel Dynasty Series results and the introduction of mixed-game tables, both signs of product investment. Our own analysis of the August growth figures explains how those numbers were reported.
Why WSOP Online and BetMGM Poker are struggling
The data shows WSOP Online down 10% and BetMGM Poker down 16%. We should be careful not to over-interpret this. The available reporting does not explain the decline in detail, and operators can lose revenue for many reasons: reduced marketing, product changes, seasonal fluctuations or player migration.
However, two plausible factors stand out. First, a flat market is a zero-sum game: when one operator gains, others tend to lose. Second, players tend to gravitate to the site with the best combination of traffic, tournament structures and promotions. If PokerStars is doing better on those fronts, other operators will feel the squeeze.
BetMGM and WSOP remain important brands, and each continues to run events and promotions, such as the WSOP-branded promotions we covered in our WSOP Online bracelet series report. But the numbers show they face a difficult environment.
Why the US market is not growing
Regulated US online poker is limited by the number of states that have legalised it. Only a handful of states currently offer online poker, and new launches are slow. We tracked upcoming states in our Virginia online poker timeline and our map of US online poker legislation. Until more states join, the player pool is capped.
Other pressures include the competition from sweepstakes sites, many of which are being challenged by state regulators, as we outlined in our sweepstakes poker state bans report, and the general shift of gaming dollars toward sports betting and casino games.
One bright spot is that poker revenue is stable. A flat $8.8 million monthly total is not a collapse; it is a mature market that has found its level. For operators, the question is whether it can grow again.
What this means for players
Traffic matters. In a flat market, large pools are concentrated at the top. If you play tournaments, PokerStars' growth suggests that its tournaments may offer better liquidity in the states where it operates.
Compare structures. Deeper stacks and higher guarantees benefit skilled players. Review the structures on each site, not just the headline guarantees. Our tournaments page and cash games page can help you compare.
Shop for promotions. Operators that are losing share often respond with bonuses, leaderboards and rakeback. Check our bonus page and rakeback explainer to ensure you get value from your volume.
Know your state. Availability varies, and not every player can access every operator. Our US poker page breaks down legal options by state.
Consider the offshore alternative with care. Players in states without regulated poker often use offshore sites. If you do, review licensing and payment security carefully; our review of BetOnline and Americas Cardroom review outline key features, and our safe poker sites guide shows what to check.
What to watch next
Several developments could change the picture:
- New state launches. Virginia is on the horizon, and other states are debating bills.
- Operator responses. WSOP Online and BetMGM Poker may adjust promotions and structures to win back players.
- Federal developments. Gambling tax and regulatory changes could shift the economics of poker.
For now, the story is straightforward: the US market is steady but not growing, and PokerStars on FanDuel is taking the lead.
Bottom line
The August numbers confirm what many industry watchers suspected. Regulated US online poker has matured into a stable but flat segment, and growth for one operator means losses for others. PokerStars is winning the contest, WSOP Online and BetMGM are on the defensive, and players are the beneficiaries if competition keeps promotions strong and structures improving.
Poker players should watch the data, compare sites and make decisions based on structures and value rather than brand loyalty.