Virginians wager $633M on sports in December

Virginians bet about $633 million on sports in December 2023, up 25.9% from December 2022, according to data released by the Virginia Lottery on Feb. 1.

December’s handle is a 0.88% decrease from November 2023, when Virginians bet $638.8 million on sports. Virginia bettors won more than $569.57 million in December 2023 and $595.8 million in November 2023.

About $625.5 million of December’s gross sports gaming revenues came from mobile operators, with the remaining $7.66 million coming from casino retail activity. Virginia’s current casinos are the temporary Bristol Casino: The Future Home of Hard Rock, the permanent Rivers Casino Portsmouth and the temporary Caesars Virginia casino in Danville. Virginia’s gaming revenues from casinos in December totaled $58.5 million, according to the Virginia Lottery.

The licensed operators included in December’s 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
• WSI US
• Twin River Management Group
• Penn Sports Interactive
• Unibet Interactive
• Colonial Downs Group
• Digital Gaming Corporation VA
• VHL VA
• HR Bristol
• Hillside (Virginia)
• DC Sports Facilities Entertainment
• Betr VA
• PlayLive Virginia

Virginia places a 15% tax on sports betting activity based on each permit holder’s adjusted gross revenue. With 10 operators reporting net positive AGR for December 2023, the month’s taxes came to approximately $8.46 million, of which 97.5% (about $8.25 million) will be deposited in the state’s general fund. The remaining roughly $211.6 million will be deposited in the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund administered by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.