At a recent meeting of the West Virginia Lottery Commission, West Virginia Lottery Director John Myers said May revenues declined 67 percent to $28.5 million in May compared to the projected $86.5 million. Total gambling revenue was down $58 million for the month and $52 million year-to-date. The shutdown of casinos and limited video lottery retailers due to Covid-19 cost the state nearly $100 million in gambling revenue in March and April, Myers said.
However, instant game revenue for May came in 162 percent above projections, generating $19.7 million in May compared to the projected $7.5 million. Revenue from online games for May was 18.6 percent above projections at $5.5 million. Sports betting revenue—only available via phone apps due to Covid-19 casino closures–were 86.8 percent below projections of $58,000 for May, Myers stated.
Lottery ticket sales continued at gasoline stations and convenience stores during the nearly 2-month shutdown of non-essential businesses. Limited video lottery retailers reopened May 30. Myers said revenue from the 7,000-plus machines statewide has averaged a total of $1.5 million daily since then. Normally, he said. the average revenue on the games is $500,000 a day.
“Saturday, May 30, when we reopened was the highest Saturday that we recorded since we started keeping records,” Myers said.
