West Virginia Sees Limited Profits From First Month Of Sports Betting

West Virginia’s share of profits from sports betting in its first month totaled $207,195, a "mere fraction" of the $41.23M in "gross profit from state Lottery revenue in September," according to Phil Kabler of the CHARLESTON GAZETTE-MAIL The $207,195 figure includes two August days in which Hollywood Casino in Ranson "had a soft launch of sports betting" prior to the official Sept. 1 grand opening of its sportsbook. Sports betting is "underway at only two of the five casinos," and none have "activated sports betting smartphone apps yet." West Virginia Department of Revenue Managing Deputy Secretary Doug Buffington said that "should be changing soon." Kabler notes for September, wagering on sports betting totaled $7.44M, with $5.45M of that amount "paid out in winnings, leaving $1,989,554 in casino revenue." Of that amount, West Virginia’s 10% privilege tax on sports wagering profits "worked out to a payment to the state of $198,955" (CHARLESTON GAZETTE-MAIL, 10/24).