Arkansas Casino Wagers Clear $2.25 Billion Through October

With October's monthly report, electronic games of skill wagering at Arkansas’ two racetracks and casinos cleared $2.25 billion as the calendar year heads into the homestretch.

The cumulative total of EGS wagering is the highest since the gambling began in late 2006. EGS wagers include gambling spent on video blackjack, poker, slot machines and other casino-style games.

Hot Springs-based Oaklawn and West Memphis-based Southland saw EGS wagers eclipse the $2 billion mark for the first time ever last month after September 2012 numbers were reported. For all of 2011, EGS gambling at the two tracks totaled $1.967 billion.

For the month of October, Oaklawn showed $75.19 million in EGS wagers bringing year-to-date totals to $785.94 million. One year ago, Oaklawn reported October EGS wagers of $55.29 million.

At Southland, EGS wagers topped $143.22 million for the month and year-to-date totals hit $1.471 billion. Compared to a year ago, Southland reported October EGS gambling of $119.83 million.