If you placed a sports bet, or a few, last month, you were a part of history. Indiana hit a record-high in September, as Hoosier bettors wagered more than $355 million.
Jake Garza, with PlayIndiana.com, says a large majority of those bets were placed on football.
“We all know football is the most popular sport for gambling around the U.S., and that was definitely the case in Indiana last month,” Garza said. “In August, there were only $14 million worth of football wagers. In September, that number jumped all the way up to $148 million.”
Garza says it’s a good mix of bets between the NFL and college football, led by Hoosiers placing bets on the Colts, Notre Dame and IU football.
He adds that the fact the NFL has embraced sports gambling has helped people be drawn in more to place a bet or two.
“Teams like the Colts are partnering with Caesars Sportsbook, and Winbet, and other companies like that to really fuse the sports betting and football product, and it’s come a long way since the start of legalized sports betting in Indiana two years ago,” Garza said.
Garza predicts October will be an even bigger month for sports betting in Indiana.
“You look at 2020, as kind of a guide for this, the handle goes up every month throughout football season until the Super Bowl. So we’re expecting a similar trajectory to that.”
In September, the $355 million in wagers turned into more than $3 million for the state in taxes.
