On line betting handle in Virginia continued a recent upward trend during the month of June as the three licensed Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) companies combined to handle 6% more than they did in June, 2015.
TVG, which has consistently led the way in handle figures every month since Colonial Downs’ EZ Horseplay went out of business last April, handled $3,014,242 in June wagers. Twin Spires was next with $2,689,609 and XPressBet was third with $1,290,034. The trio combined to handle $6,973,866 for the month, second best total of 2016. The month of May traditionally is the biggest handle generating month on the calendar since both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness are held during that time.
The June tally is especially encouraging considering there was no Triple Crown hopeful in this year’s Belmont Stakes, which was held June 11th. Last year, American Pharoah became the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed, who completed the sweep in 1978.
Year to date total handle from the three ADW companies is $40,844,944. Individually, TVG is up 9.4% ($18,420,188 vs. $16,835,408), Twin Spires is up 9% ($15,009,443 vs. $13,761,883) and XPressBet is up 21% ($7,415,312 vs. $8,128,503).
July’s stakes lineup is especially encouraging, so the trend could continue. The Saratoga meet opens July 22nd and they have only one dark day between the opener and the end of the month — Tuesday July 26th. The “Spa” will host a trio of Grade I stakes to close out the month — the Diana on July 23rd, the Coaching Club American Oaks on July 24th and the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap on July 30th. Del Mar kicks off their annual summer stand July 15th and will host the Grade I Clement Hirsch Stakes July 30th. And the best news of all comes from Monmouth where Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist will compete in their Grade I Haskell Invitational July 31st.
Virginia residents can wager all the action by opening an account at TVG.com, TwinSpires.com or at XPressBet.com.