Iowa reveals month-on-month betting revenue and handle declines in May
| By Robert Fletcher
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) has reported a month-on-month decline in sports betting revenue and handle for May.
Net receipts for the month amounted to $6.1m (£4.3m/€5.0m), which was 20.8% lower than the $7.7m recorded in April of this year, marking the second consecutive month of decline in Iowa.
Revenue was up 1,117.4% from $501,062 in the same month last year, though the May 2020 figures were severely impacted by the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Betting options in May 2020 were significantly limited as many sports events were forced to cancel or postpone due to the pandemic, while players in Iowa could only bet online as retail sportsbooks were closed for the entire month.
Online remained the primary source of sports betting income in Iowa, with revenue for the month reaching $4.8m, some way ahead of retail sportsbook revenue on $1.3m.