Sports betting in West Virginia is officially back and its better than before.
Thanks to both DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook, WV sportsbooks set record numbers for both overall betting handle and revenue for the week of Sept. 7.
While last week’s report included some betting action from the online platforms, it wasn’t even a full week of activity. Now that this week has seven days worth of wagers, we’re able to see the actual impact of mobile betting apps.
They did not disappoint.
The WV market set a new record for a total handle with over $6 million in wagers. Prior to this week, the Mountain State had never even recorded a week with more than $5 million. The previous high mark was set in January when WV sportsbooks took in nearly $4.9 million bets.
Revenue figures also reached new heights. Sportsbooks generated over $1.6 million, breaking the previous record set on Feb. 2. That week, books made just shy of $950,000. It was speculated that a lot of that profit was simply from accepting a large amount of Super Bowl futures.
Both of these records prove how badly WV needed online sportsbooks. Legalizing sports wagering and opening retail locations was a good start, but in order to sustain a successful market, there must be multiple online options.
With the NFL and college football in full swing, it’s possible that these figures are just scratching the surface of what the state can bring in from betting. As the football season continues and more residents download legal sports betting apps, the numbers will most likely increase.
The market isn’t done expanding, either, with more sportsbooks scheduled to launch in the near future. William Hill Sportsbook is scheduled to release at some point, while PointsBet Online Sportsbook just announced its plans to come to WV.
This week’s report includes activity from Sept. 1-7 for the three active WV sportsbooks:
- Hollywood Casino Sportsbook
- Mountaineer Sportsbook
- The FanDuel Sportsbook at The Greenbrier
It also includes activity for both available WV online sportsbooks:
Mardi Gras Sportsbook and Wheeling Island Sportsbook are still closed but are paying out settled wagers. We’re waiting to see if either retail location reopens during the football season.
WV Sports Betting Summary
Here are the latest figures released by the WV Lottery since WV sports betting revenue tracking began in August 2018:
- Handle: $152,539,759.17
- Revenue: $15,830,067.04
- Taxes: $1,583,006.845
It was the busiest week ever in WV sports betting history. Even after a successful previous week, sportsbooks’ handle grew significantly. They totaled $6,040,154.66 in wagers, a 34% jump from last week.
Revenue figures were just as impressive. Sportsbooks made $1,664,243.87, a 147% increase from the week prior.
WV sports betting revenue for the week ending Sept. 7, 2019
| Casino | Handle | Mobile Sports Betting Revenue | Retail Sports Betting Revenue | Total Revenue | Taxes (10%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollywood Casino | $4,319,593.35 | $170,766.87 | $1,068,605.59 | $1,239,372.46 | $123,937.25 |
| Mountaineer Casino | $788,426.10 | N/A | $247,279.8 | $247,279.8 | $24,727.98 |
| The Greenbrier | $932,135.21 | $104,685.86 | $73,528.50 | $178,214.36 | $1,754.67 |
| Mardi Gras Casino | N/A | N/A | -$622.75 | -$622.75 | -$62.28 |
| Wheeling Island Hotel | N/A | N/A | -N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total | $6,040,154.66 | $275,452.73 | $1,388,791.14 | $1,664,243.87 | $166,424.39 |
A Closer Look At WV Sports Betting Handle
Online sportsbooks were expected to help raise the betting handle in WV, but not this drastically or quickly. The fact that the state was able to record its highest handle in history in just over a week of these mobile apps’ existence is incredible.
Hollywood Casino led the way with a massive week. Its sportsbook totaled more than $4.3 million in wagers, nearly as much as the entire handle from a week ago.
While Hollywood has seen its handle surpass $3 million a few other times, it was never close to topping $4 million.
While Hollywood and DraftKings are still dominating the market, it’s important to note that in just two weeks, their market share slipped about 10%.
It’s no coincidence that the only other casino with a mobile sports betting app finished second for the week. The Greenbrier and its FanDuel app have surpassed Mountaineer Casino in less than two weeks time.
It was able to generate more than $930,000 in bets, the highest handle it’s ever showcased.
Although Mountaineer doesn’t have an online sportsbook yet, it still had a productive week. Its retail location brought in almost $800,000 in handle.
This is Mountaineer’s best performance since it had over $1.1 million in wagers last March.
Here’s how the WV sportsbooks rank for weekly handle:
- Hollywood Casino ($4,319,593.35)
- The Greenbrier ($932,135.21)
- Mountaineer Casino ($788,426.10)
- Mardi Gras Casino ($0)
- Wheeling Island ($0)
Major takeaway: Perfect storm for sports betting
Despite the fact that the WV Lottery was slow in launching online sportsbooks, it did happen at the exact perfect time.
Football is the most popular sport wagered on in the US and WV residents are no different. Even though there aren’t any professional teams in the state, there are several that play their home games nearby.
NFL wagering is definitely a large portion of this week’s $6 million handle, but don’t count out college football. With WVU football loved across the state and Marshall being another major football program, the fall season is the best opportunity for sportsbooks to make money.
Just having an online option would increase gambling enough already, however, pairing these mobile books with football betting has made the sky the limit in WV.
A Closer Look At WV Sports Betting Revenue
Along with the record-setting handle came a big week of revenue production. WV sportsbooks made the most money in their history this week, taking in over $1.6 million.
Naturally, Hollywood Casino led the way here as well. It earned more than $1.2 million, almost three times its revenue from last week.
This is Hollywood’s best week in terms of revenue by far. Its previous high was when its sportsbook made around $550,000 in Dec. 2018.
Despite having a lower handle, Mountaineer stayed in second for revenue. Its sportsbook gained nearly $250,000 for the week. This is its best showing since late March.
The Greenbrier came in last among the active books but still had a fantastic week. It too set a record for revenue, flying by its previous mark of around $82,000.
Although Wheeling Island didn’t pay out any settled bets this week, Mardi Gras Casino lost about $600.
Here’s how the WV sportsbooks rank for weekly revenue:
- Hollywood Casino ($1,239,372.46)
- Mountaineer Casino ($247,279.8)
- The Greenbrier ($178,214.36)
- Wheeling Island ($0)
- Mardi Gras Casino (-$622.75)
Major takeaway: Online sportsbooks create more opportunity for revenue
Typically, when the state has a higher overall handle, there’s a better chance that the revenue figures will be higher. This isn’t always the case because the sports betting market is extremely volatile, however, it checks out the majority of the time.
Now that online sportsbooks have been re-established in WV, it appears that the handle will only continue to grow as DraftKings’ and FanDuel’s popularity expands. With more bets comes more opportunity for sportsbooks to make additional revenue.
Beyond just volume, online sportsbooks accept a lot more casual bets than retail books might see. For instance, someone isn’t going to drive an hour to place a prop bet on the Thursday Night football game. However, with a mobile sportsbook directly on your device, bettors are much more likely to place small wagers on things with longer odds, usually resulting in a loss.
On the board for WV Sportsbooks
WV football betting odds
Last week was a huge week for WV college football programs. WVU pulled the upset and took down NC State at home, while Marshall scored late to get its second win of the season against Ohio.
With the Thundering Herd on a bye this week, all eyes and bets will be focused on the Mountaineers. WVU opens its Big 12 Conference schedule this week with a matchup against the Kansas Jayhawks.
In spite of its forgettable recent history, Kansas comes into the game with some confidence, carrying a 2-1 record as well.
Here are the Mountaineers’ odds this weekend at both DraftKings and FanDuel online sportsbooks:
WVU vs. Kansas
WVU football betting odds from DraftKings:
- WVU -4.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: -177
- Kansas +4.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: +143
WVU football betting odds from FanDuel:
- WVU -4.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: -195
- Kansas +4.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: +165
NFL Week 3 betting odds
The second week of the NFL football season was a wild one. With plenty of injuries affecting just about every team, this season is gearing up to one of the most unpredictable.
Although most of the local teams are struggling thus far (Cleveland is the only one with a victory), the season is still very young.
With a full slate of games upcoming in Week 3, here are the current odds at DraftKings and FanDuel:
WV NFL betting odds from DraftKings Sportsbook:
Cleveland Browns vs. Los Angeles Rams
- CLE +3 (-115)
- Moneyline: +128
- LA -3 (-106)
- Moneyline: -157
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. San Francisco 49ers
- PIT +6.5 (-114)
- Moneyline: +210
- SF -6.5 (-107)
- Moneyline: -265
Washington Redskins vs. Chicago Bears
- WAS +4 (-110)
- Moneyline: +163
- CHI -4 (-110)
- Moneyline: -200
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Buffalo Bills
- CIN +6 (-115)
- Moneyline: +200
- BUF -6 (-106)
- Moneyline: -250
