West Virginia has yet to introduce online sports betting, even as another week goes by. The clock is ticking for WV sportsbooks to establish a mobile platform before the football season commences.
On August 31, WVU football will commence its season against James Madison, aiming to kick off with a strong performance prior to diving into their Big 12 Conference schedule.
Despite the absence of betting apps, sportsbooks had a successful week in terms of revenue generation, earning close to $250,000 for the period ending on July 27th.
Despite still making a decent profit, the state’s overall handle remained average once again. It saw a decrease of approximately $200,000 compared to the previous week, resulting in a total slightly exceeding $1.6 million.
For quite some time now, the sports betting market in West Virginia has been experiencing a slow and stagnant period. It is undeniable that the Mountain State is in urgent need of at least one online option without any delay.
The WV Lottery has granted approval to three operators for the launch of a mobile app. These operators are:
It seems that FanDuel is likely to be the first to launch in WV. However, don’t underestimate the possibility of DraftKings also going live before the start of the college football season.
The report for this week consists of the activity from July 21-27 for all five WV sportsbooks.
- Hollywood Casino Sportsbook
- Mountaineer Sportsbook
- The Greenbrier proudly hosts The FanDuel Sportsbook.
Both Mardi Gras Sportsbook and Wheeling Island Sportsbook remain closed, and it seems that they won’t be accepting bets for the upcoming college football and NFL seasons as well.
WV Sports Betting Summary
Since August 2018, the WV Lottery Commission has released the most recent figures for tracking WV sports betting revenue.
- Handle: $133,842,693.49
- Revenue: $12,616,237.88
- Taxes: $1,261,623.91
During the week of July 27, there was a lack of activity in sports betting. The total amount wagered decreased by 11%, reaching $1,615,121.71.
However, despite a 19% decline, sportsbooks managed to maintain strong revenue figures, earning $249,928.51.
WV sports betting revenue for the week ending July 27, 2019
A Closer Look At WV Sports Betting Handle
Despite having a below-average week, Hollywood Casino continues to top the rankings for weekly handle, which is reminiscent of previous weeks.
Once again, Hollywood’s sportsbook was the sole one to surpass $1 million in handle, despite experiencing a decrease of over $300,000 compared to the previous week.
This week, Mountaineer Casino experienced improved luck as its handle surpassed $300,000 for the first time in a month, marking an increase of over $50,000.
The Greenbrier achieved impressive outcomes too, with its sportsbook falling just short of $150,000 for the week.
This is actually The Greenbrier’s most impressive performance in terms of handle in quite a while. Since March, the establishment had not received wagers exceeding $100,000.
These are the rankings of the WV sportsbooks based on their weekly handle.
- The Hollywood Casino has a total revenue of $1,137,338.86, while the Mountaineer Casino has generated $327,883.85. The Greenbrier has earned $149,899.00 in revenue. However, both the Mardi Gras Casino and Wheeling Island have not generated any revenue.
Major takeaway: The race to launch an online sportsbook
The sportsbooks at Mountaineer and The Greenbrier had successful weeks, but it is unlikely that these results can be maintained without the presence of an online sportsbook.
In addition to establishing a presence in mobile wagering, it would be crucial for any sportsbook operating in WV to pioneer the reintroduction of online betting within the state.
With no other online options to choose from, WV bettors will feel compelled to download the sole sportsbook available. Considering the approaching football season, the state’s only online sportsbook has the potential to gain significant popularity.
Releasing an online book in the coming weeks is crucial for WV to not miss out on all the action of bettors who enjoy placing season-long futures before the football year begins. Additionally, launching a mobile platform before football actually starts would be equally important.
A Closer Look At WV Sports Betting Revenue
Despite the state’s struggle to generate a significant amount of betting action, all three active sportsbooks managed to make a profit this week.
As usual, Hollywood Casino continued to dominate in revenue by surpassing $150,000. This marks the second week in a row that it has achieved six-figure earnings, following a setback of approximately $70,000 two weeks ago.
In addition to its phenomenal week, The Greenbrier achieved an impressive feat in terms of revenue as well. Surpassing expectations, its sportsbook generated over $55,000, securing a remarkable second place for the week.
Since the week of March 23, this is the highest revenue production that The Greenbrier has achieved.
Mountaineer also performed well. Its sportsbook witnessed a significant boost in revenue, doubling last week’s earnings and reaching approximately $40,000. This marks the highest revenue Mountaineer has generated in the past seven weeks.
While Wheeling Island failed to honor any of the settled wagers, Mardi Gras Casino suffered a loss of $4,200.
These are the rankings of the WV sportsbooks based on their 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 significance of introducing an online sportsbook to the WV market cannot be emphasized enough. It is crucial for sports bettors to have a mobile application for their devices, enabling them to conveniently place wagers from the comfort of their own couches.
The market could witness a significant transformation if a land-based sportsbook manages to introduce an online platform before the football season begins. This impact could be even more pronounced if it remains the sole mobile option for a considerable period.
If The Greenbrier were to launch a mobile betting app, it is highly likely that it would surpass Hollywood Casino in terms of weekly handle and revenue. Additionally, if an online sportsbook is introduced, it is reasonable to expect a slight decrease in betting figures at the physical retail locations.
Casinos lacking a mobile book will soon be left behind, as they must swiftly establish one before the leading competitor gains full control of the market.
On the board for WV Sportsbooks
WV football
According to DraftKings New Jersey, let’s take a look at the win projections for both the Mountaineers and Thundering Herd as they kick off their seasons on Aug. 31 at their respective homes in WV.
- The bet for Marshall’s performance is set at 7.5, with odds of -110 for both the over and under outcomes.
- The line for the total number of wins for WVU is set at 5, with both the over and under options having odds of -110.
Heisman Trophy
According to DraftKings, the Heisman Trophy is awarded annually to recognize the most outstanding player in college football. Traditionally, quarterbacks have been the dominant recipients of this prestigious award. As per DraftKings, the favorites for the 2019 Heisman Trophy also include several talented quarterbacks.
- Trevor Lawrence +175
- Tua Tagovailoa +225
- Justin Fields +1400
- Jalen Hurts +1400
- Jake Fromm +1800
NFL
As the NFL season approaches rapidly, it is crucial to secure your future bets for the year. Among the most sought-after wagers is predicting the recipient of the prestigious MVP award when the season concludes.
The NFL MVP odds provided by DraftKings are as follows:
- Patrick Mahomes +600
- Andrew Luck +900
- Drew Brees +1200
- Aaron Rodgers +1200
- Tom Brady +1400
- Baker Mayfield +1400
- Carson Wentz +1400
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