Another week has passed and there is still no online sports betting in West Virginia. Time is running out for WV sportsbooks to launch a mobile option before the football season begins.
WVU football opens on Aug. 31 against James Madison. The Mountaineers are looking to get out to a fast start before their Big 12 Conference schedule gets underway.
Even without any betting apps, sportsbooks had another solid showing in terms of generating revenue. They nearly made another $250,000 for the week ending July 27.
While still making a nice profit, the state’s overall handle was mediocre, once again. It reduced around $200,000 from the previous week to total a little more than $1.6 million.
The West Virginia sports betting market has been in a sluggish lull for some time now. There’s no question the Mountain State needs at least one online option immediately.
The WV Lottery has approved three operators to release a mobile app. They include:
It appears that FanDuel might be the first one to release in WV. However, don’t count out DraftKings from going live before the college football year gets going, too.
This week’s report includes activity from July 21-27 for all five WV sportsbooks:
- Hollywood Casino Sportsbook
- Mountaineer Sportsbook
- The FanDuel Sportsbook at The Greenbrier
Mardi Gras Sportsbook and Wheeling Island Sportsbook are still closed. Unfortunately, it appears that both will not be accepting bets for the start of college football or the NFL season either.
WV Sports Betting Summary
Here are the latest figures released by the WV Lottery Commission since WV sports betting revenue tracking began in August 2018:
- Handle: $133,842,693.49
- Revenue: $12,616,237.88
- Taxes: $1,261,623.91
The sports betting action did not pick up for the week of July 27. Overall handle decreased 11%, down to $1,615,121.71.
On the other hand, revenue figures stayed strong. Despite falling 19%, sportsbooks still earned $249,928.51.
WV sports betting revenue for the week ending July 27, 2019
| Casino | Handle | Mobile Sports Betting Revenue | Retail Sports Betting Revenue | Total Revenue | Taxes (10%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollywood Casino | $1,137,338.86 | N/A | $156,980.91 | $156,980.91 | $15,698.09 |
| Mountaineer Casino | $327,883.85 | N/A | $41,187.85 | $41,187.85 | $4,118.79 |
| The Greenbrier | $149,899.00 | N/A | $55,959.75 | $55,959.75 | $5,595.98 |
| Mardi Gras Casino | N/A | N/A | -$4,200.00 | -$4,200.00 | -$420.00 |
| Wheeling Island Hotel | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total | $1,615,121.71 | N/A | $249,928.51 | $249,928.51 | $24,992.86 |
A Closer Look At WV Sports Betting Handle
The rankings for weekly handle look very familiar to week’s past. Hollywood Casino leads the way in spite of having a subpar week itself.
Its sportsbook was the only to top $1 million in handle yet again. Hollywood reached this mark even though its handle reduced by more than $300,000 from a week ago.
Mountaineer Casino had better fortunes this week. Its handle increased more than $50,000 to surpass $300,000 for the first time in a month.
The Greenbrier had quality results as well. Its sportsbook finished the week just shy of $150,000.
In fact, this is The Greenbrier’s best showing for handle in a long time. It had not accepted more than $100,000 in wagers since March.
Here’s how the WV sportsbooks rank for weekly handle:
- Hollywood Casino ($1,137,338.86)
- Mountaineer Casino ($327,883.85)
- The Greenbrier ($149,899.00)
- Mardi Gras Casino ($0)
- Wheeling Island ($0)
Major takeaway: The race to launch an online sportsbook
Even though the sportsbooks at Mountaineer and The Greenbrier had successful weeks, these results are probably not sustainable without an online sportsbook.
Beyond expanding into mobile wagering in general, it would be vital for any WV sportsbook to be the first to re-introduce online betting back into the state.
By being the first and only online option available, WV bettors will be almost forced to download the one sportsbook offered. With football season upon us, the only online sportsbook in the state could be quite popular.
Releasing a mobile platform before football actually starts would be crucial as well. Lots of bettors enjoy placing season-long futures before the football year begins. WV will miss out on all of that action if it doesn’t release an online book in the coming weeks.
A Closer Look At WV Sports Betting Revenue
Although the state is having a tough time generating a lot of betting action, all three active sportsbooks earned a profit this week.
Like always, Hollywood Casino led in revenue while making more than $150,000. This is the second-consecutive week it’s made more than six figures after losing around $70,000 two weeks ago.
The Greenbrier continued its amazing week by having a great performance for revenue, too. Its sportsbook finished second for the week by pulling in over $55,000.
This is The Greenbriers highest revenue production since the week of March 23.
Mountaineer didn’t do poorly either. Its sportsbook more than doubled last week’s revenue by making around $40,000. This is the most revenue generated by Mountaineer in seven weeks.
Wheeling Island didn’t pay out any settled wagers, however, Mardi Gras Casino lost $4,200.
Here’s how the WV sportsbooks rank for weekly revenue:
- Hollywood Casino ($156,980.91)
- The Greenbrier ($55,959.75)
- Mountaineer Casino ($41,187.85)
- Wheeling Island ($0)
- Mardi Gras Casino ($-4,200.00)
Major takeaway: Online could change WV sports betting market
The importance of adding an online sportsbook to the WV market can’t be overstated. Sports bettors need a mobile app for their devices so that they’re able to wager right from their own couches.
If one of the land-based sportsbooks in the state is able to launch an online platform before football season, it could change the market forever. This could especially be the case if it’s the only mobile option available for a while.
For instance, if The Greenbrier releases a mobile betting app, there’s no reason to think that it won’t overtake Hollywood Casino in terms of weekly handle and revenue. If there’s an online sportsbook, it’s probably safe to assume the betting figures at some of the retail locations might go down a bit.
The casinos without a mobile book are going to get left in the dust. They will have to work fast to get one up and running before the first one back on the market takes control completely.
On the board for WV Sportsbooks
WV football
Both the Mountaineers and Thundering Herd start their seasons on Aug. 31 at home in WV. Here’s a look at both home teams’ win projections according to DraftKings New Jersey:
- Marshall
- Over 7.5 (-110)
- Under 7.5 (-110)
- WVU
- Over 5 (-110)
- Under 5 (-110)
Heisman Trophy
Every year, the Heisman Trophy is awarded to college football’s best player. Quarterbacks typically win this award and this year is no different according to DraftKings. It lists several as the favorite to win in 2019:
- Trevor Lawrence +175
- Tua Tagovailoa +225
- Justin Fields +1400
- Jalen Hurts +1400
- Jake Fromm +1800
NFL
With the NFL season also quickly approaching, now is the time to lock in your futures for the year. A popular category is always which player will walk away with MVP honors at the end of the season.
DraftKings has the following odds for NFL MVP:
- Patrick Mahomes +600
- Andrew Luck +900
- Drew Brees +1200
- Aaron Rodgers +1200
- Tom Brady +1400
- Baker Mayfield +1400
- Carson Wentz +1400
