The Delaware Lottery reported a year-on-year increase in sports betting revenue during December after a rise in handle, while igaming revenue remained steady despite lower spending.
Beginning with sports betting, revenue for the sector in December 2023 amounted to $2.1m (£1.7m/€1.9m). This was 50.0% higher than in the state in the previous year and also 264.1% ahead of $576,800 in November 2023.
Delaware players in December spent $5.8m betting on sports during the month. Again, this was higher than December 2022, surpassing the previous year’s total by 7.3%. It also beat the $8.1m wagered in November by 8.6%.
Delaware Park led the way in the sports wagering market with $302,801 in revenue from a $2.1m handle. Bally’s Dover was second with $161,432 off $1.1m, then Harrington Raceway on $65,701 from $448,031.
December also saw the launch of Delaware’s first online sportsbook. Powered by Rush Street Interactive (RSI) and BetRivers, the sportsbook soft launched on 27 December and went fully live a week later.
An additional $1.5m in revenue came from $5.2m in wagers placed with retailers during the month.
Mixed December for online casino in Delaware
Accompanying the new sportsbook were three updated versions of the state’s existing online casinos. These will continue to be operated by Delaware Park, Bally’s Dover Casino and Harrington Raceway & Casino.
This could come as a boost to the online casino segment, which reported steady revenue despite a reduction in player spending in December.
Revenue from online casino during the month reached $1.2m, which was level with the same month in 2022. This was also 9.1% more than the $1.1m reported in November of 2023.
Video lottery accounted for $968,264 of December revenue, with table games at $174,138 and poker rake and fees $24,191.
As for spending, players wagered $31.3m on igaming in December. This was 29.4% behind the $44.3m spent in December 2022 and 2.5% lower than $32.1m in November.
Consumers spent $18.2m in video lottery games and $13.1m table games. Total winnings for the month amounted to $30.2m.
Delaware Park also claimed top spot in the igaming sector with revenue of $448,699 from a $17.6m handle. Bally’s Dover was second with $433,402 from $7.9m, then Harrington with $284,490 off $5.9m.
