As reported by the Indiana Gaming Commission in its financial results released Friday, players in Indiana bet a total of $409.1 million on sports during February, while taxable adjusted gross revenue from sports wagering in the month hit $17 million. Indiana was also able to collect $1.6 million in sports betting tax during the month. Indiana gaming revenues across the state were up 48.5%.
The amount spent by sports bettors was 49.4% higher than the previous year, but 17.9% less than the record $498.4 million wagered in January of this year.
The most bet on sport in the state for the second month of the year was basketball, which accounted for $201.9 million of all bets. Football attracted $30.1 million in wagers, and baseball saw $97,273. A further $101.4 million was spent on parlay betting and the remaining $74.3 million on other sports.
Revenue for the month amounted to $17 million, level with February last year, but down 52.3% from January, which kept $34.6 million.
DraftKings, in partnership with Ameristar Casino, led the way with $6.5 million in revenue off a handle of $127.4 million. Belterra Casino and its FanDuel operated sportsbook ranked second with $3.9 million in revenue off a $53.8 million handle.
Blue Chip Casino, which is also partners with FanDuel, had the second-highest handle of the month at $108 million, but revenue only hit $409,136.
As for the four Northwest Indiana casinos, revenue reports were also posted for February, showing an increase of 60% from $56 million to $89.04 million, as Indiana gaming revenues across the state rose 48.5%.
Much of these increases can be attributed to the transition from the two Majestic Star Casinos – which took in $8.42 million in February 2021 – to Hard Rock Northern Star Indiana in Gary, which took in $31.58 million last month. However, Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City, Ameristar in East Chicago and Horseshoe Hammond also scored higher revenues.
Ameristar took in $18.11 million in revenues last month, a 17.6% rise over the $15.4 million it took in a year before. Blue Chip recorded $10.66 million in revenues, 43% higher than the $7.46 million it took in the previous February. Horseshoe Hammond ranked in $28.69 million, a 16% increase from $24.72 million.
As reported by the Chicago Tribune, Shannon McKellar, vice president, marketing for the Hammond casino, spoke about February’s numbers and trends and said: “Thinking back to a year ago, a lot has changed. People are ready to get out and be entertained, and the numbers show that. Horseshoe once again saw strong visitation in February”.
She added that Horseshoe Hammond is having several events to draw visitors in March, including its second St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 17, with the venue featuring Ginuwine, 112 and SWV on March 18 followed by Festival of Praise on March 19.
Matthew Schuffert, Hard Rock Northern Indiana’s president added: “Despite only having 28 days, February produced one of our strongest months since we opened last May. This was the first month we led the northern half of the state in both slot volume and slot win, and we continue to grow our table games business, posting our largest table games drop with only 28 days. Although we continue to dominate the baccarat business, we posted very strong growth in many other game types, particularly in blackjack and craps”.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2022/03/15/61801-super-bowl-drives-indiana-39s–409m-sports-betting-handle-in-february-overall-gaming-revenue-up-48-
