The state reported a record monthly handle of $840.4 million, up 40.9% from September’s $596.5 million. That also was 93.4% more than October 2020’s $434.6 million. The previous record was set in March 2021 when the state took in $633.6 million in sports bets.
Illinois also set a new online sports betting handle in October, with $803.4 million worth of bets placed online, an increase of 41% from September’s $569.9 million and 24.6% more than October 2020’s $409.8 million. Previously, Illinois’ online handle record was $609 million, also set in March 2021.
October’s sports betting revenue of $52.6 million was another new monthly record for the state, according to figures from the Illinois Gaming Board. The total was 31.5% more than September’s figure of nearly $40 million and 24.6% more than October 2020’s $42.2 million. Illinois’ old revenue record was $47.9 million, set in January 2021.
The state’s sports betting tax was $8.6 million, an increase of 31.2% from September’s $6.5 million.
Illinois Sports Betting Handle, October vs. September
| |
TOTAL HANDLE |
MOBILE HANDLE |
REVENUE |
| October |
$840.440M |
$803.449M |
$52.597M |
| September |
$596.456M |
$569.899M |
$39.991M |
| Change |
Up 40.9% |
Up 41.0% |
Up 31.5% |
Top Sports
Football was once again the most wagered on sport in Illinois, taking in $330.1 million in wagers. Basketball was second at $93.3 million, while baseball ($77.6 million), tennis ($53.4 million) and soccer ($36.2 million) rounded out the top five. “Other” sports made up $28.1 million of the total handle, while parlay bets accounted for $188.7 million.
Basketball’s betting activity was boosted thanks to the start of the NBA regular season in October. During September, basketball had a handle of just $10 million compared to the $93.3 million that was posted in October.
Betting on the NHL began with the regular season starting in October and that also played a key part in Illinois setting a sports betting record month.
National Handle
Excluding Arizona, which has yet to report its October figures, the U.S. national sports betting handle is $7 billion for October, a 36.5% increase from September’s $5.2 billion. Arizona also has not reported its September sports betting figures.
The national revenue in October so far adds up to $504.5 million, up from the $334.1 million reported in September.
The top five states in sports betting handle for October are New Jersey ($1.3 billion), Nevada ($1.1 billion), Illinois ($840.4 million), Pennsylvania ($776.3 million) and Michigan ($497.6 million).
https://www.gambling.com/us/news/illinois-sports-betting-handle-sets-new-record-at-over-800-million-2868400