The Montana Lottery has reported the state’s sports bettors wagered $7.59 million during October, the first full month of NFL betting, but after $7.62 million in payouts, the state reported a loss of $26,938.
Football bets led, generating a handle of more than $4.9 million, which accounted for 64.9 percent of the total wagers. However, bettors took home $5.1 million in winnings, resulting in a negative gross gaming revenue of $192,438. While baseball reported the second-largest handle of close to $1.1 million, making up 14 percent of the handle, its GGR also was negative at -$11,431.
Basketball was the third most popular sport in October, and unlike football and baseball, it collected a positive GGR figure for the state. Handle reached $560,358, and after payouts of $454,857, GGR came to $105,501. Other sports that reported positive GGR figures included soccer, ice hockey, tennis and NASCAR.
The October figures bring Montana’s sports betting handle to more than $231.6 million since the state launched its betting market in March 2020. Montana bettors have been paid around $201.8 million in winnings, with the state collecting about $29.8 million in GGR.
While Montana’s sports betting is state-operated, the Bureau of Indian Affairs has approved a gaming compact authorizing the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes to offer retail sports betting at Silver Wolf Casino in Wolf Point.
