PA sports betting apps opened their wallets in September, doling out $29.5 million in free bets.
That is the single highest month of promotions reported in Pennsylvania since mobile sports betting launched more than four years ago.
DraftKings led all PA sports betting operators with $11.5 million in September promos as companies fight for new NFL betting customers. FanDuel was not far behind with $11.1 million, according to the state report.
Both totals were the most either sportsbook has ever offered in the Keystone State.
Short-lived PA sports betting crown
Additional promo spending was not enough to prevent DraftKings from moving back to second in September.
FanDuel reclaimed the PA sports betting revenue lead, reporting $29.9 million before deductions off bettors who staked $253.3 million through its app. DraftKings claimed the top revenue spot for the first time in August.
DraftKings accepted $228.2 million in online bets, clearing $19.9 million in September revenue before deductions.
PA sports betting losses for Barstool
The Barstool Sportsbook app lost $875,000 in September, a stark difference from the $3.8 million in mobile revenue reported last September.
Mobile handle fell 4.6% to $37.7 million for the month, as Penn Entertainment is not promoting the app during the rebrand to ESPN Bet.
ESPN Bet should be live in November.
Pennsylvania apps play leapfrog
The Caesars Sportsbook app jumped ahead of BetRivers in September handle. Caesars accepted $31.1 million in bets compared to BetRivers’ $26 million.
BetRivers did generate more revenue than Caesars last month despite a lower handle. The Rush Street-owned app cleared $1.3 million after deductions, while the Caesars app produced $1.1 million in taxable revenue.
Adding to RSI bottom line
Rush Street also owns the PlaySugarHouse app in Pennsylvania. It brought in another $465,400 in taxable revenue behind $11.6 million in online bets.
BetMGM held its long-standing spot in third place among all PA sportsbooks with $52.4 million in online bets.
PA sports betting by the numbers
Pennsylvania total sports betting handle reached $726.3 million last month. It marked an 85% increase over the slower August period and 12.5% year-over-year.
Sportsbooks made $66.1 million in revenue before deducting $29.5 million in player bonuses for the month.
With sports betting revenue taxed at 36% in Pennsylvania, the state collected $13.2 million in taxes.
