Double-digit Gains For Electronic Gambling At Oaklawn, Southland In 2013

by Roby Brock ([email protected]) 100 views 

Don’t bet against Oaklawn or Southland.

The two Arkansas venues with casino-style gaming saw double-digit spikes in their overall electronic games of skill (EGS) wagers in 2013.

EGS wagers include gambling spent on video blackjack, poker, slot machines and other casino-style games.

The latest statistics released by the Arkansas Racing Commission showed Oaklawn topping the $1 billion hurdle in EGS wagers in 2013 and Southland EGS wagers cleared $2 billion.

Combined EGS wagers between the two racetracks was $3.228 billion for the full year.

West Memphis-based Southland posted $2.074 billion in EGS wagers in 2013, a 16% uptick from the previous year. The figure is the highest EGS total since casino-style gambling was introduced at Southland in 2006.

Hot Springs-based Oaklawn posted 2013 EGS wagers of $1.154 billion, a 10% increase from 2012. That figure was also the highest EGS revenue total since Oaklawn opened its casino in 2006.

Interestingly, March was the largest one month total for EGS wagers at both tracks. For March, Southland recorded $205.77 million in EGS wagers, while Oaklawn received $108.66 million.