October saw a decrease in sports betting handle and revenue in Mississippi compared to the same time last year, as well as a month-on-month decline, according to the Mississippi Gaming Commission.
The betting handle for October amounted to $49.5 million, which is 11.9% lower than the $56.2 million posted in October 2022 and 4.1% behind September’s $51.6 million. In terms of revenue, October reached $7.3 million, down 5.2% from $7.7 million in 2022 and 9.9% behind September’s $8.1 million.
Coastal casinos were the most popular venues for sports betting, with players spending a total of $33.8 million in October, generating $4.5 million in revenue for the month. Central casinos processed $9.7 million in sports bets and reported $2.1 million in wagering revenue, while northern casinos saw $6.0 million bet, with revenue hitting $784,385 in October.
Football remained the most popular sport for betting, with consumers spending a total of $27.2 million on football in October. This comes after the launch of the 2023 NFL season at the start of September. Mississippi coastal casinos took $19.7 million in football bets, while central casinos processed $4.1 million and northern casinos saw $3.5 million in football wagers.
The decline in sports betting handle and revenue in October reflects a wider trend across the gambling industry, as businesses continue to grapple with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, Mississippi remains a key market for sports betting, with football continuing to drive significant interest and activity among players.