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Washington, DC – May 18, 2020 – Online gaming numbers soared in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware after Covid-19 forced the closure of casinos in 43 U.S. states in March and April 2020. New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware have been forward thinking and have already launched regulated online casino and poker games, making them the only states in the U.S. able to pivot to the internet during the pandemic. Combined, online gaming in these 3 states generated $213M in revenue and $84M in taxes for the months of March and April. “The U.S. casino industry is one of the only businesses left out of the online economy. With the coronavirus shuttering brick-and-mortar casinos across the country, only three states have been able to pivot online and provide relief for the industry and much needed tax revenue,” said Jeff Ifrah, founder and general counsel of iDEA (iDevelopment and Economic Association). Jeremy Kleiman, a founding member of iDEA noted, “The world of commerce is evolving and the gaming industry must be able to adapt and become an even more dynamic economic engine for states that have embraced it. As we look to the future, it is vital for state policymakers to remove legislative roadblocks and allow casinos to modernize.” The infographic linked here demonstrates the impact of Covid-19 and resulting closure of casinos and businesses. Land-Based Gaming Revenue in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware (combined):

• January and February – $1.1B
• March and April – $264M

This shows a 76% decrease in land-based casino revenue from the first two months of the year to the past two months. Online Gaming Revenue in NJ, PA, and DE (combined):

• January and February – $141M
• March and April – $213M

This shows a 51% increase in online gaming revenue from the first two month of the year to the past two months.     iDEA Growth (iDevelopment and Economic Association) is a 501(c)(6) association which seeks to grow jobs and expand the online interactive gaming business in the United States through advocacy and education. We represent all sectors involved in the growing industry of internet gaming and entertainment, including operations, development, technology, marketing, payment processing, and law.