Electronic wagers near $2.5 billion in Arkansas
With one month to go, casino-style gambling at Arkansas’ two racetracks is poised to top $2.5 billion for the year.
According to the latest statistics released by the Arkansas Racing Commission, casinos in Hot Springs-based Oaklawn and West Memphis-based Southland have totaled $2.485 billion in electronic games of skill (EGS) wagers from January through November.
The 11-month total is roughly 39% higher from the previous year.
One year ago, the two tracks had a combined $1.783 billion in the first 11 months. For all of 2011, EGS wagers totaled $1.967 billion.
In a month-to-month comparison, Southland saw its EGS wagers climb 31% higher from the previous November to $152.74 million. Year-to-date, those wagers topped $1.624 billion.
In November at Oaklawn, EGS wagers were 45% higher from a year ago at $74.84 million. Year-to-date, EGS wagers at Oaklawn eclipsed $860.78 million.
EGS wagers include gambling spent on video blackjack, poker, slot machines and other casino-style games.