News, Arts and Culture from WFIU Public Radio and WTIU Public Television
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Hoosier Casinos Post Best Sports Betting Month In October

October marked one year since Indiana casinos started taking bets online. And last month was also the best month Hoosiers sports books have had yet.

Indiana, like most states, is in need of every penny of revenue it can get as it struggles through the pandemic. And sports gambling analysts say October’s gaming tax revenue delivered a positive sign for what they say is a sustainable gambling future.

Hoosiers generated more than $2 million in sports gaming taxes for the state in October, the first time Indiana crossed the $2 million mark.

The vast majority of sports bets – more than 83 percent – came from online gambling.

Industry analysts say October offered the most normal sports schedule since the pandemic began, meaning the $2 million-tax haul could help set long-term expectations for the revenue source.

Contact reporter Brandon at  bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at  @brandonjsmith5.

Tags
Brandon J. Smith has previously worked as a reporter and anchor for KBIA Radio in Columbia, MO. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, IL as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.