West Virginia Gambling Market Sees Great October Harvest
The numbers for October have been tallied, and all in all, West Virginia’s gambling industry had a successful month.
With football reigning supreme, the state’s sports betting market experienced a significant surge in September as it reached midseason form. Furthermore, there was a notable rise in handle for online casinos in West Virginia.
Let’s explore the October statistics of the gambling market in West Virginia.
West Virginia sports betting handle rises in October
October was a bustling month for sports betting in West Virginia, as college and professional football, the MLB postseason, and the NBA season kicked off. Unsurprisingly, the state witnessed an increase in month-to-month handle, highlighting its active participation in the betting scene.
In October, West Virginia recorded a total handle of $51,118,726, marking a 9% surge compared to September. During September, bettors wagered approximately $46.9 million, reflecting a $13 million increase from August’s handle.
However, overall, October experienced a decrease in activity compared to the previous year. The total amount wagered in October 2021 was $61.7 million. The 17.1% decline in October 2024 could be attributed to various factors.
As the market matures, it gradually becomes more balanced over time. This trend is observed across various states in the country, where cooling-off periods have also been witnessed in sportsbook promotions.
Nevertheless, an additional increase in the month-to-month sports betting handle is a positive indication.
Sports betting revenue jumps Y-O-Y but is down from September
Compared to September, the sports betting revenue for the month of October witnessed a decline. In October, the total revenue amounted to $5.06 million, marking a decrease of 27.3% from the $6.97 million revenue achieved in September.
October’s figure remains an 89.9% higher than October 2021’s $2,667,222 number, irrespective of the monthly decrease.
West Virginia online bets jump from September
In line with the growth of West Virginia’s sports betting handle, the online gambling sector in the state also experienced a similar upward trend. A staggering sum of $317,057,861 was wagered by West Virginia bettors in October.
The number signifies a rise of 12.4% from the previous $282.17 million handle in September.
In October, the revenue generated by online casinos amounted to $9.4 million, reflecting a decrease of 8.3% in comparison to September’s earnings of $10.26 million.
Similar to the sports betting sector, the online gambling market in West Virginia is still in its early stages. In 2019, the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act was passed, legalizing the industry.
Sports fans prefer online sports betting
There are precisely five retail sportsbooks available in West Virginia where residents can conveniently place their bets.
- Hollywood Casino
- Mountaineer Sportsbook
- FanDuel at The Greenbrier
- Wheeling Island
- Mardi Gras
However, bettors continue to show strong dedication to online betting, preferring the convenience and comfort of placing their bets from home. In October alone, a staggering $42,084,700 was generated in handle from online bets.
In October, retail sports bets accounted for approximately 17.7% of the total sports handle, amounting to $9,034,025. On the other hand, the remaining 82.3% of the month’s handle was contributed by other sources.
For the month, online sports betting in West Virginia yielded a revenue of $3,520,651.57.
West Virginia continues to be a prominent example of the nationwide trend with an abundance of sportsbook apps to choose from.
In West Virginia table game totals, blackjack is king
West Virginia earned a total of $7,397,951.25 in casino game revenue during the month of October.
In October, blackjack emerged as the frontrunner among table games, generating slightly over $2.5 million in revenue. Here is a breakdown of the performance of other table games during the same period:
- Roulette ($928,128)
- Craps ($711,629)
- Mini Bac ($582,118.50)
- Three-card poker ($383,052)
- Poker ($341,657)
There are five casinos in West Virginia where one can enjoy playing table games.
- Hollywood Casino Charles Town
- Greenbrier Resort’s Casinos Club
- Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack, and Resort
- The Mardi Gras Casino & Resort has been transformed into an exciting destination for entertainment and relaxation.
- Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack
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