PokerPages.com has reported that poker had its biggest year ever in 2005, reaching total buy-ins of over $376 million. Additionally, poker continued on its record setting pace to start 2006, with back-to-back record months.
February buy-in dollars reached $25.8 million – the best February ever recorded. This record came hot on the heels of the fifth biggest month all-time in poker as January 2006 buy-ins grew 36% over January 2005 to more than $38 million.
PokerPages.com founder Mark Napolitano said, “There have been whispers among some within the industry who wondered if poker could continue to grow in 2006. But, so far, 2006 has started out to be the strongest year ever in Poker, breaking records in all three PokerPages.com Industry Index (PPII) categories.'
The Index is calculated by comparing the total buy-in dollars from the past month to the same period in the previous year. A figure greater than 100 indicates growth.
