California Online Poker Market worth up to $384 Million
A joint study by Academicon and PokerScout reveals that if the state of California regulates online poker, the market could reach $384 million per year within 10 years. The study projects year-one revenues up to $263 million.
Data analyzed from 4.6 million real money players during the peak of unregulated US online poker (2009 and 2010) found 178,300 California players generating an average of $867 per year per operator. This accounted for a 16% share of US online poker, 4% worldwide, and a $155 million market.
Expert Insights
Professor Kahlil Philander, one of the study authors, stated: "Under regulation, online poker is expected to grow well beyond its previous peak." He cautioned: "The size of the market depends strongly on whether the player pool is limited to in-state residents or joins a federal or international network."
This underscores the challenges for regulated US poker, including liquidity issues. Estimates like these should be taken with caution—many factors remain, such as the high cash volumes, high-stakes games, and frequent large guaranteed tournaments from offshore operators back then.
Current Player Habits
Many California players still enjoy online poker at offshore sites like Bovada Poker and Americas Cardroom. Participation grows daily, and players seem satisfied. Will they migrate to a regulated state site? That's yet to be determined—and may never happen.