Virginians wager $622M on sports in September

Virginians bet $622 million on sports in September, up 19.6% from September 2023, according to Virginia Lottery data released Friday.

Virginia bettors won $550.5 million in September.

About $618.3 million of September’s gross sports gaming revenues came from mobile operators, and the remaining $3.7 million came from casino retail activity. Virginia currently has three casinos: the temporary Bristol Casino: The Future Home of Hard Rock, the permanent Rivers Casino Portsmouth, and the temporary Caesars Virginia casino in Danville. In September, the state’s casinos reported $56.56 million in revenue.

September’s handle was a 49% increase from the roughly $417 million that Virginians bet in August. The NFL season began on Sept. 5.

Nationally, Virginia received more tax revenue than other states with sports betting, according to Steve Bittenbender, an analyst with sports betting vendor BetVirginia.com.

“Virginia’s September betting numbers are in, pushing the national handle over the impressive $100 billion mark just nine months into the year,” Bittenbender said in a statement. “The state of Virginia stands out as the month’s big winner, with tax revenue jumping by 88.3% from August and totaling a notable $9.875 million.”

The licensed operators included in September’s sports revenue reporting were:

• Betfair Interactive US (FanDuel) in partnership with the Washington Commanders
• Crown Virginia Gaming (Draft Kings)
• BetMGM
• Rivers Portsmouth Gaming (Rivers Casino Portsmouth)
• Caesars Virginia
• Twin River Management Group
• Penn Sports Interactive
• Colonial Downs Group
• Digital Gaming Corporation VA
• VHL VA
• HR Bristol
• Hillside (Virginia)
• DC Sports Facilities Entertainment
• Betr VA
• PlayLive Virginia

An additional operator, Sporttrade Virginia, launched in the state on Oct. 24.

Virginia is likely to see increased sports betting reflected in October’s numbers, Bittenbender said. “With the Commanders, Capitals and Wizards all in season, October is poised to be a standout month for Virginia’s sports betting scene. Fans rallying behind their local teams not only boosts excitement but continues to drive significant returns to the state.”

Virginia places a 15% tax on sports betting activity based on each permit holder’s adjusted gross revenue (total wagers minus total winnings and other authorized deductions).

With 10 operators reporting net positive AGR for September, state taxes for the month totaled more than $9.87 million. Of that, 97.5% — more than $9.62 million — will be deposited in the state’s general fund. The remaining almost $247,000 will go to the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund, which the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services administers.

For casinos to come, the team behind the delayed Norfolk casino has announced it will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the casino Oct. 30. The permanent Bristol casino is set to open Nov. 14, and the permanent Danville casino is expected to open late this year. On Tuesday, more than 80% of Petersburg voters approved a casino referendum, according to unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections.