Betting handle from Virginia residents via advance deposit — or on line — wagering companies rose over 10% in July when compared with handle figures from the same month a year prior. Both Twin Spires and Xpressbet experienced big gains while TVG maintained its first place position as top handle generating company from horseplayers in the Commonwealth.
TVG handled $2,909,825 in July, down slightly from July ’15 figures. Twin Spires surged to $2,487,997 this past month, up considerably from last July’s $2,043,421. XPressbet was third with $1,214,556, but that too was dramatically higher than the $961,483 July handle of a year ago. Total combined handle for the month was $6,612,688.
When comparing numbers from the trio for the first seven months of 2016, all show substantial gains. TVG is at $21,330,013, up 7.75% from 2015; Twin Spires has handled $17,497,440, up 10.64%; XPressbet is at $8,630,179, up 21.72%.
With a number of big stakes races coming up in August, the upward betting trend could continue. A total of 15 Grade I thoroughbred stakes are scheduled including the Whitney & Test (Saratoga) August 6th, the Arlington Million, Beverly D & Secretariat (Arlington) and Fourstardave (Saratoga) August 13th, the Pacific Classic & Del Mar Oaks (Del Mar) and Alabama (Saratoga) August 20th, and the Travers, Ballerina, King’s Bishop, Sword Dancer, Personal Ensign & Forego (Saratoga) on August 27th.
Virginia residents can wager all the action by opening a betting account with TVG.com, Xpressbet.com or TwinSpires.com.