Mobile and retail sports betting in New Hampshire hit records in October, according to data from the New Hampshire Lottery, which is partnered exclusively with DraftKings.
The handle for October was a record $98.2 million, up 98% month-to-month from the previous record of $68.1 million set in September, and up 109% year-to-year from the $47 million handle in October 2020.
Gross gaming revenue also hit a record $5.4 million in October, up 22% month-to-month from $4.4 million, the previous record, and up 29% year-to-year. The state of New Hampshire, which is guaranteed 50% of gaming revenue per its agreement with DraftKings, received a record $2.6 million in October.
Breaking down the October figures further, the handle from mobile sports betting was a record $68.1 million, up from $50.5 million in September. Gross gaming revenue from mobile was a record $4 million and the state’s share was a record $1.9 million, both up from $3.9 million and $1.6 million the month prior, respectively.
In terms of retail sports betting, the handle was a record $30.1 million, up from $17.7 million in September. Gross gaming revenue was a record $1.4 million in October, up from $549k in September. State coffers received a record $628k from retail sports betting in October, up from $248k in September.
Year-to-date, the handle for fiscal year (FY) 2022 is up to $239.4 million through October, including $178.5 million from mobile sports betting and $60.8 million from retail. Gross gaming revenue to date totals $14.5 million, including $11.6 million from mobile and $2.9 million from retail. Revenue to the state is currently at $6.6 million, which includes about $5.4 million from mobile and about $1.3 million from retail.
By comparison, data from the New Hampshire Lottery show that in FY2021, the handle totaled $520.6 million (including $436 million from mobile and $84.7 million from retail), while gross gaming revenue totaled $39 million ($31.5 million mobile, $7.5 million retail). The state received $18 million in tax receipts in FY2021, including $14.5 million from mobile and $3.5 million from retail.
DraftKings’ history in the Granite State
After a competitive bidding process, DraftKings, which is headquartered in Boston, was selected by the New Hampshire Lottery to become its exclusive sports betting partner in November 2019. Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican, placed the ceremonial first legal sports wager on Dec. 30, 2019. Mobile sports wagering launched statewide on the same day.
Under the agreement, DraftKings is allowed to operate up to 10 retail sportsbook kiosks throughout the Granite State. To date, the operator has opened three.
“We expect at least one additional retail location in the next six months,” Maura McCann, director of marketing for the New Hampshire Lottery, told US Gaming Review.
“Per our contract with DraftKings, they can open up to 10 retail locations around the state. However, the exact number will be determined by reviewing the performance of the locations and determining the right number and locations to maximize revenue for the state.”
DraftKings opened its first location in August 2020 at The Brook in Seabrook. The property was formerly known as Seabrook Park before its acquisition and rebranding by Eureka Casino Resorts in January 2019.
The next month, DraftKings opened its second retail sportsbook at the South Side Tavern in Manchester. It opened the same month as Filotimo Casino & Restaurant did on the property.
It took DraftKings more than a year before it opened its third retail sportsbook in October 2021, this one at the Filotimo Casino & Restaurant at the Dover Bowl Complex in Dover.
