Earlier this week, we reported that online sports betting was lacking in the state of West Virginia. After being one of the first to launch an online option, the state quickly fell behind after the online operator lost services. Delaware North has been without online sports betting for months now, but two new operators are preparing to set up shop in the state’s online stratosphere.
Welcome News
With two new operators set to launch online sports books, it is welcome news in West Virginia. Since March, the state has been without online sports betting as well as two land-based venues. Delaware North saw their BetLucky online brand shutdown along with services at the Wheeling Island Casino and Mardi Gras Casino due to third party vendor issues.
Since that time, the state has been without online sports betting and slowly suffering. We all know that the online component is extremely important because that is the preferred method for bettors. Without it, West Virginia’s sports betting revenue numbers have dwindled.
Now it seems that DraftKings and FanDuel are getting ready to launch services. A report by WV Metro News and another by Legal Sports Report, are stating that DraftKings and FanDuel are ready to launch a motile option. Testing is apparently in the works so that the apps can launch as soon as they are ready and given the go-ahead.
Second State for DraftKings
Surprisingly, a launch in West Virginia will only mark the second state that DraftKings will be operating in. They first launched in New Jersey and have done quite well in the Garden State. In WV, the company has partnered with the Hollywood Casino located at Charles Town. The casino is owned and operated by Penn National Gaming.
FanDuel will be offering services via The Greenbrier partnership. The company already has a land-based sportsbook at the venue. The company is online in Pennsylvania, having just launched recently when sports betting was given the go-ahead for mobile play.
With a launch supposedly taking place by next week, both FanDuel and DraftKings should be met with open arms by players. The NFL and college football season will be in full swing in just days, so it will be a prime opportunity for both operators to capture a portion of the market and see solid revenue numbers.
The sports betting industry in West Virginia has certainly struggled and the launch of new mobile operators will be the boost the state needs to get back on track. So far, the industry has seen a handle of just over $137 million since launched in August 2018.
Revenues from that amount total $12 million and just over $1.2 million have been generated for taxes. With mobile gaming now set to launch soon, these numbers should dwarf in comparison as to what will be generated.
We will see in the coming months just how much mobile sports betting will assist the overall industry by way of handle, revenue and taxes.
