Illinois October Sports Betting Puts US Handle Over $3.2B

Ron Fritz

December 17th, 2020

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The Illinois October sports betting handle topped $430 million, increasing the total wagered in the U.S. during the month to more than $3.2 billion. It’s the first time the total handle nationwide has topped $3 billion.

The total handle in Illinois for October was $434.6 million, a 42.4% increase over September’s $305 million. It was the fourth-highest total among states with legal sports betting.

In September, the U.S. total handle was about $2.9 billion.

Illinois is the last state to report October figures. In fact, many states have already reported their November numbers. But Illinois Gaming Board Administrator Marcus Fruchter explained during the board’s meeting Thursday on when it delivers wagering reports (45 days after the figures are reported). He also pointed out the difference in the two reports (All Wagering Activity — traditional handle — and Completed Events) on the IGB’s website.

CHECK OUT: Top Illinois Online Sportsbooks

The handle for October was again dominated by mobile betting. Of the $434.6 million wagered, nearly $410 million was on mobile with retail making up just $24.8 million of the handle. That meant 94.3% of the action was on mobile, according to the Illinois Gaming Board report.

The adjusted gross revenue in October was $42.2 million, a 517.2% increase over September’s $6.8 millon.

Pro sports wagering in October accounted for $355.7 million. College sports betting was $78.7 million and motorsports accounted for $255,689.

Illinois Sports Betting Handle, October vs. September

Remote Registration Remains in Illinois

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Dec. 11 extended remote registration for new sports bettors in the state until Jan. 9 because of the continued rise of coronavirus cases in his state and in the U.S.

The previous extension was set to expire Dec. 12. Pritzker re-issued executive Order 2020-41.

CHECK OUT: 9 Predictions for US Sports Betting & Online Gambling In 2021

The state implemented additional coronavirus restrictions just before Thanksgiving, closing all gaming facilities and casinos beginning Nov. 20. Theaters also had to close while restaurants and bars, museums, health and fitness centers, hotels and other businesses where people gather were given lower capacity limits.

Illinois 4th in US Handle

Here are key figures from states in October:

• New Jersey in October set a new U.S. sports handle record at $803 million , beating its September record by $54.5 million.
• Nevada’s $659 million in October was a $74 million increase over September and a new state record.
• Pennsylvania set a new state record of $525 million for total sports handle in October, a nearly $63 million increase over September.
• Indiana saw a state record $230.9 million posted in October, an increase of $23 million from September.
• Colorado’s October handle rose about $3 million to $210 million. The state launched its sports betting market on May 1 and has seen a handle increase every month since.
• Iowa was up to $81.9 million in October, an increase of about $9 million over September.
• The Mississippi sports betting handle was up $9 million in October to $61.2 million.
• New Hampshire saw $47.05 million wagered in October, mobile and retail, an increase of $5.7 million, or 13.6%, over September’s $41.4 million.

• West Virginia had a 42% drop in October sports handle to $44.6 million after a state record of $76.9 million in September.
• Rhode Island posted a record sports handle of $34.7 million in October, which was up about $3.3 million over September.
• Oregon set a total sports betting handle record of $29.45 million in October, an increase of 12.5% over September.
• For October, Delaware saw the total sports wagering “Amount Played” (equivalent to handle) reach $17.1 million, with the casino-race track sportsbooks at $8.9 million, and the retailers at $8.2 million.
• Arkansas’ total handle for October, with all three sportsbooks operating, was $6.56 million, a 65.7% increase over September’s $3.96 million.

Other notable sports handle figures: Michigan ($46.1 million, retail only); Washington, D.C. ($18.5 million); and Montana ($2.9 million).