Virginia pari-mutuel wagering figures have been tabulated for the month of April along with the first four months of 2017. Betting Handle placed via the four partner Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) companies continues to show gains in addition to solid business numbers at the two Richmond area Off Track Betting (OTB) Centers.
Three of the four ADW partner companies had their best months of the year. TVG, which handled $3,206,742 in bets from Virginians in April, continues to lead the way in activity. TwinSpires was next, handling $2,362,225 while newcomer NYRABets, still growing, handled $63,852. XpressBet, the only company to not have its best month, still broke into seven figure betting territory for the third time in four months with $1,075,738. The four combined to generate $6,708,559 in handle, the best month of ’17 so far by over $650,000. Six of the biggest Derby prep races were held over three consecutive Saturdays in April including the Florida Derby, whose champ Always Dreaming went on to win the Kentucky Derby May 6th.
Crowds filled Richmond’s Ponies & Pints OTB on Kentucky Derby Day.
For the period that includes January through April, the four ADW’s combined to handle $24,685,245. That compared with 2016’s figure of $23,837,747, which is a 3.56% increase. TVG is up 3.87%, TwinSpires is up 3.92% and XpressBet is off just 2.59%.
The Virginia Equine Alliance’s (VEA) two Richmond based Off Track Betting (OTB) Centers continue to do robust business, even as on line (ADW) betting figures remain solid. Breakers Sports Grille, the first to open back on November 2nd, handled $3,871,640 in the period while the newest one, Ponies & Pints, generated $2,522,031 in wagering activity. The latter opened on January 16th.
When combining both the ADW and OTB figures, a total of $31,078,917 in horse race bets were placed in the first four month period of 2017.
Advance betting on The Preakness is available Friday May 19th from 11 AM – 11 PM, and day of from 10 AM until post time of 6:45 PM
Focus now is on the upcoming Preakness Stakes, slated for Saturday May 20th. Both Richmond OTBs are expecting busy days. Advance Preakness betting is available all day and evening at both sites on Friday May 19th from 11 AM – 11 PM. Doors open Saturday at 10 AM and betting is available until Preakness post of 6:45 PM.