Virginia Lottery Releases October Sports Wagering Activity Report, Total Handle Increased 8% Year Over Year

December 3, 2023 | Sports Betting

VIRGINIA (December 1, 2023) — The Virginia Lottery today released its report on sports wagering activity submitted by licensed operators for the month of October 2023.

Between October 1 and October 31, 2023, Virginians wagered $571,354,817 (“handle”), 8.2% higher than last October. A complete list of all approved operators can be found here, under the “approvals” tab.

Virginia bettors won a total of $507,357,865 for a combined 11.20% operators win percentage (“hold”).

State law places a 15% tax on sports betting activity based on each permit holder’s adjusted gross revenue (AGR), which is defined as total wagers minus total winnings and other authorized deductions.

	Mobile Operators	Casino Retail Activity	Total Oct-23
Gross sports gaming revenues	$565,569,001	$5,785,816	$571,354,817
Gross winnings	($502,434,849)	($4,923,016)	($507,357,865)
Allowable Bonuses and Promotions	($2,798,787)	$0	($2,798,787)
Other deductions	($4,772,777)	($61,305)	($4,834,082)
AGR (Adjusted Gross Revenue)	$55,562,588	$801,495	$56,364,083

Of the state tax on sports betting AGR, the statute specifies 97.5 percent is to be deposited in the state’s General Fund and 2.5 percent is to be deposited into the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund administered by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.

Nine operators reported net positive AGR for October, leading to $8.6 million in tax payments for the month:

	Monthly Taxes
Total Tax	$8,550,196.89
General Fund Allocation	$8,336,441.97
Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund Allocation	$213,754.92

About Virginia Lottery
The Virginia Lottery is responsible for the regulation of sports wagering in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Monthly financial reports and other important information about legal sports wagering is posted at www.valottery.com/casinosandsportsbetting.

SOURCE: Virginia Lottery.