This October was not like Kentucky's first complete month of sports betting last year.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission reported $18.8 million in gross income, down 61.3% from October 2023. The most recent handle of $274.9 million was likewise a 4.5% decline year-over-year.

Bluegrass State operators turned an 18.6% hold in last year's first big month, but that win rate dropped to 7.7% this year, thanks to more customer-friendly outcomes from NFL favorites covering at a high rate at times in October.

Adjusted revenue of $20.5 million was down 62.1% year-over-year and 39.1% month-over-month while October's deal with increased 7.5% from September.

Retail sportsbooks reported a $78,000 loss for the month on a $9.8 million manage while online sports betting operators recorded a good 8% hang on a $265.1 million handle.

The Bluegrass State filled its coffers with nearly $3 million, a far cry from the $7.6 million in tax revenue received in October 2023.

DraftKings reaches $1 billion

DraftKings ended up being the first online operator to accept $1 billion wagered in Kentucky. The sportsbook has actually accepted $1.1 billion in bets after creating a $102.7 million deal with in October.

It's the fourth time considering that September 2023 that DraftKings has actually taped a manage of more than $100 million, and nearly $775 million has actually come year-to-date. FanDuel will be the next operator to reach that mark as the online sportsbook has produced a $994 million deal with in Kentucky.

FanDuel contributes to revenue lead

DraftKings held the handle advantage over FanDuel but lost the income battle. FanDuel led the Bluegrass State with a 10.6% hold from a $92.3 million manage that produced $9.8 million.

FanDuel also leads Kentucky sports betting operators in all-time income with $131.5 million.

bet365 created a $24.5 million deal with and was the only other online operator to carry in a minimum of $1 million in profits. BetMGM produced a hold under 6% that led to a 47% month-over-month drop in revenue.

Caesars had an even worse go, recovering just 3.4% of the $11.5 million in wagers accepted. Fanatics Sportsbook took in $9.6 million, almost identical to last month's manage, however took $300,000 less in October profits.

ESPN BET produced a 6.3% win rate on a $6.5 million deal with, while Circa Sports suffered a nearly $200,000 loss on $5 million in wagers accepted.

Retail woes

October marks the first losing month for Kentucky's brick-and-mortar sportsbooks. Three of the 9 retail operators reported an adjusted earnings loss.

Churchill Downs, which is partnered with Kambi, suffered the most, losing $132,480 in adjusted profits on a manage of $3.5 million, the biggest amongst brick-and-mortar shops. Turfway Park lost $70,863 while Ellis Park finished October over $50,000 in the red.