Halfway through 2017, Virginia handle numbers on horse racing from the four Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) companies and both new Off Track Betting (OTB) Centers continue to trek impressively.
The three ADW — or on line betting companies — that are licensed in Virginia and have been conducting business for an extended period, had their second best month of the year in June. TVG handled $3,551,229 compared to $3,223,864 for TwinSpires and $1,160,388 for XpressBet. All three ADW companies generated more handle in the month of May, but that is the norm since both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes are held then. NYRABets, newest player in the Virginia market, handled $157,663 in June, and that marks the fourth consecutive month they have showed an increase as they continue to attract new players.
The Breakers Sports Grille OTB has both beverage & food specials every day, in addition to separate smoking & non-smoking sections.
When handle figures for the four ADWs are combined to reflect the first six months of 2017, there is a 6.5% gain over the same period in 2016. A total of $43,501,827 has been wagered this year compared to $40,844,944 last year. So far, TVG has handled $19,916,532 compared with $16,208,506 for TwinSpires and $6,876,712 for XPressBet. NYRABets chipped in with $500,076.
The two new Richmond area OTBs continue to do solid business as well. Breakers Sports Grille, located in the west end of town, has accepted $5,674,755 in wagers while Ponies & Pints, located downtown in the Shockoe Bottom neighborhood, handled $4,113,923 for the first six months. The latter did not open until mid-January while Breakers opened November 2nd last year.
The summer meet at Saratoga features Grade I stakes races every weekend, including the Travers on August 26th.
With high profile stakes races like the Travers Stakes, Pacific Classic, Arlington Million, Hambletonian Trot and others scheduled in the month of August, Virginia horseplayers could continue to push those figures in the same direction.
A complete simulcast calendar is located at virginiahorseracinmg.com.