Monthly data made available by the West Virginia Lottery Commission has revealed that lottery revenues were down by 67% for May to $28.5m compared to the $86.5m that was originally projected.
Instant game revenue for May came in at 162% above projections, bringing in $19.7m for the month. Revenues from online games also exceeded expectations, generating $5.5m, 18.6% above the original estimates.
Despite this, revenue from sports betting, which due to the COVID-19 pandemic was only viable through mobile apps, saw revenues fall 86.8% below projections to $58,000.
Furthermore, the overall revenue decline was also hampered by the lack of lottery ticket sales as a result of the non-essential business shut down, seeing an 89% fall to $3.3m when compared to the projected $30.2m.
West Virginia Lottery Director John Myers told the Lottery Commission that despite the low performing overall revenues for the month, the limited video lottery revenues for the last two days of May broke all previous records.
He stated: “Actually, during Saturday, May 30, when we re-opened, we had the highest Saturday we’ve recorded since we started keeping records on that in July of 2008.”
It was also revealed by the commission that over the last 10 months, lottery gross revenue is down 5.8% compared to projections, with revenues coming in at $85.2m.
In regards to West Virginia’s five casinos that re-opened on June 5 , Myers highlighted that it was a ‘good opening’ as horse racing was welcomed back at the Hollywood Casino despite no spectators being allowed to attend.
He added: “At the beginning, the pay was very good there, but it has declined some in the period that we’ve been open. The first week-and-a-half was above average for some of those and depending on the actual track, the revenues even up until maybe three or four days ago have exceeded what they were the previous year. Some of those have dropped off really quickly than the others, but a good opening for the most part.”
Myers also made the commission aware of the fact that, as of yet, there has been no reported cases of COVID-19 at any of the casinos.
Premises have implemented stricter guidelines under the recommendation of state health officials, which included limiting occupancy to 50%, using barriers when 6 feet of social distance can’t be maintained, adjusting the layout of casino floors to minimize contact, constant cleaning of video lottery terminals and encouraging customers to make non-cash payments.
Myers concluded: “It’s been a good opening for the most part. We’ve not had any reports of virus activity come in at this point. We’re very happy to see that some of the guidelines we put in place appear to be working.”