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The total sports betting handle for December in South Dakota reached $1.1 million. This figure reflects an increase of 40% when compared to the total handle of $757,609 recorded in December 2022.
Moreover, it signifies an 18% increase from the November 2023 handle, which amounted to $967,993.
Highlights for South Dakota’s 2023 December gambling revenue
- Table games handle totaled $8.1 million, up 26.45% from November
- Sports betting handle grew by 18% from November, standing at $1.1 million
- Slot machines reached $98.1 million, down 13.57% from November
Overall, the gambling handle for December reached $107,469,041.93, down 11% from November but up 18% from December 2022.
Slot machines and table games in December
According to South Dakota Gaming Statistics for December 2023, there was a yearly increase in slot machine handle. However, the data reveals a downtrend of approximately 13.57%, reaching $98.1 million compared to the previous month’s figure of $113.6 million.
In parallel, table games also significantly contributed to the overall activity, with handles totaling $8.1 million. This growth is around 32% from the figures reported in December 2022, which stood at $6.1 million.
Breaking the table games down:
- Blackjack handled summed up to $3.6 million
- Roulette was $296,445
- Craps handle reached $611,835
- House Banked Poker, which was the second highest, was $2.5 million
- Player Banked Poker handle summed $1.0 million
NFL stood out as highest sports betting event in December
It did not come as a surprise, as the NFL took center stage as the most heavily wagered sport during December, boasting a substantial handle of $576,578. This marked a significant surge from South Dakota’s November 2023 sports betting handle of $414,744.
The statistical payout for the NFL reached $106,373, resulting in an average payout rate of 81.55%.
NCAA Football (NCAA FB) followed behind, contributing a total handle of $251,263. While this figure was slightly lower than the November handle of $293,823, it showcased the diverse range of sports betting preferences.
Hence, the NFL’s handle in December surpassed that of the NCAA FB by a notable 128% difference.
Other noteworthy events in the sports betting lineup included the NBA, which contributed $84,977 to the handle (up from $69,776 in November), the NHL with a handle of $20,639, and the MMA/UFC with a handle of $18,646.
