Arizona's Sports Betting Surges in October 2023

In the month of October 2023, the Arizona Department of Gaming unveiled some astonishing statistics, revealing a substantial rise in sports betting activity. Bettors in Arizona collectively placed bets totaling a staggering $648.2 million. This figure represents a substantial 4.8% increase compared to the same month the previous year. Moreover, it's a remarkable 6.2% uptick from September, indicating a continuously growing interest in sports betting.

A striking aspect of this surge is the overwhelming dominance of mobile betting, accounting for nearly 99% of the total betting turnover. Retail betting contributed only a modest $5.4 million. It's worth noting that this is the seventh time this year that betting turnover has exceeded the $600 million mark.

Among the key players in this thriving market, DraftKings and FanDuel stood out. Both platforms reported nearly identical mobile gaming turnovers, each raking in around $220 million in October. FanDuel also secured the top spot among retail bookmakers, boasting revenue of $2.1 million.

Despite the surge in betting activity, players won a total of $591.3 million in October, resulting in adjusted gross event wagering receipts before free bets of $55.6 million. Although this figure dipped slightly compared to September's $59.7 million, it remains a promising outcome for the Arizona sports betting scene.

Free bets and promotional credits played a significant role in October's numbers, totaling $22.6 million, primarily from online operators. After factoring in these free bets, adjusted gross event wagering receipts reached $33.0 million, slightly surpassing September's figures. Additionally, the state collected approximately $3.29 million in privilege fees during the month.