Louisiana sports betting posted year-over-year handle gains in June with a big assist from the diamond.
The month’s $160 million total LA sports betting handle is a 21% increase over June 2022 ($132.4 million.)
Louisiana sports betting apps took in 91% of all bets in the state, according to figures recently released by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB.)
College baseball boosts Louisiana sports betting handle
LGCB chairman Ronnie Johns pointed to the recent College World Series championship for Louisiana State University as a significant driver of the increased handle.
Johns made the comment earlier this month speaking with LSR at the National Conference of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) conference in Denver.
Louisiana is one of more than a dozen states allowing betting on games with in-state college teams.
LA sports betting taxes, revenue take monthly hit
Baseball bettors had success in June betting on the LSU Tigers, amongst other baseball wagers. Online sportsbooks lost $1.7 million on all baseball bets last month.
It played a hand in online operators ending June with their lowest hold so far in 2023 at less than 8%.
Paying out winning baseball tickets in June decreased overall revenue from sports betting in Louisiana. Online revenue was $11.3 million in June, down from $25.5 million in May.
Louisiana collected $1.7 million in taxes in June, down from $3.5 million the month prior.
Local wins bring down revenue
LSU winning the college baseball national championship is another recent example of a local team’s victory bringing down revenue and taxes.
After the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl, Kansas received just $1,134 in sports betting tax in February. Super Bowl betting alone accounted for nearly $25 million in the state.
The Chiefs victory led to a dramatic reduction in KS sports betting revenue. Sportsbooks paid out $39 million in winning Super Bowl wagers.
LSR reporter Pat Evans contributed to this article.