Friday, October 16, 2026

Sports Betting Dive Continues

racing horses
Photo Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

With very few live events, sports betting dollars have continued to dry up. While hopes were high surrounding betting on the NFL Draft, early numbers don’t look promising. Nevada, New Jersey and Pennsylvania haven’t reported yet, but three smaller states saw dramatic declines.

April State Betting Handles:

  • Indiana: $26.3 million, down 64% from March
  • Iowa: $1.6 million, down 92%
  • West Virginia: $2.96 million, down 79.8%

West Virginia reported that the week ending May 2, which contained the NFL Draft, generated $1.06 million in handle, double any of the previous four weeks. While Pennsylvania’s numbers from April aren’t yet reported, Rush Street Interactive said 75% of its April Pennsylvania betting volume came from table tennis.

Though traditional action is limited, some horse racing circuits have managed to remain open during the shutdown, the New York Times reported. Nebraska’s Fonner Park has averaged $2.8 million in bets each day. Its February to April wagers were $71.3 million, up from $7.5 million the same period last year.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Kalshi logo appears in this illustration taken April 22, 2026.

Who’s in Charge of the Oklahoma Tribe Doing Business With Kalshi?

Two men separately claim to lead a tribe doing business with Kalshi.
Exclusive

SportsGrid Up for Sale Amid Revenue Slide

Bankers have been pitching suitors since this summer.
Sep 27, 2026; Rio De Janeiro, BRA; (Editors Notes: Caption Correction) A view of the NFL logo and the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys during the game at Maracana Stadium.

NFL Urges Supreme Court to Hear Prediction-Markets Case

“It is critical for the Court to act as soon as possible,” a league source says.
Cincinnati Bengal T.J. Houshmandzadeh places a $20 bet on the Cincinnati Bengals winning the Super Bowl during the FanDuel Sportsbook at Belterra Park Cincinnati Grand Opening at Belterra Park in Cincinnati.

Senator Says Sportsbooks VIP Betting Inquiry Will Expand

Sen. Richard Blumenthal tells FOS he’ll look at prediction markets, too.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/16/26 – Aikman Eyes Free Agency, CFP Nears 24 Teams, Stoudemire Becomes Cop

0:00

Featured Today

College Flag Football Is Outgrowing Its DIY Era

Women have been building the college game themselves at the club level.
Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena
October 12, 2026

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
Action Images/Peter Cziborra
October 9, 2026

Is Leicester City’s $264 Million Price Tag Too Rich for Hungry Investors?

After falling from grace, how much is a former top club worth?
Oct 3, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer waits to run onto the field prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
October 7, 2026

Who Is Alabama Football in Year 3 Under Kalen DeBoer?

The No. 6 Crimson Tide host No. 2 Georgia on Saturday.
Cubs behind the scenes
October 6, 2026

Hollywood and TikTok: Sports Media’s New ‘Blueprint’

Teams and leagues are pouring money into the quest for fans.
Sep 17, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (7) dives safely into third base after advancing on an errant New York Mets pickoff throw to first base during the seventh inning at Citi Field. novig
Exclusive

Novig to Quadruple Valuation With New Funding Round

The company is fundraising at a $2 billion valuation.
Asset Class
September 22, 2026

The Firms That Power Prediction-Market Trades

“Essentially, our role is to help bridge demand across time and space.”
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman Michael Selig in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington D.C., U.S., August 19, 2026.
Exclusive
September 29, 2026

Trump Admin Preparing Crackdown on Prediction-Market Promos

The CFTC is looking at incentives like “risk-free” bets.
Sponsored

The State of AI in Sports 2026

Front Office Sports and Teamworks reveal how AI is reshaping sports in the first industry-wide report on adoption, investment, and impact.
Apr 1, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) brings the ball up the court against the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter at Delta Center.
September 22, 2026

Ryan Smith Doesn’t Want Betting to Take Over Sports

“I think we need a little more moderation in all of it.”
Jason Robins Front Office Sports
September 15, 2026

DraftKings CEO Fires Back at Headline Calling Company ‘Struggling’

“We’re doing great,” Jason Robins said in response to the article.
First at FOS
September 15, 2026

WNBA Union Rips NBA for Exclusion From Betting Letter

Five men’s sports leagues sent a memo to regulators about betting-related harassment.
September 14, 2026

Female Athletes Rail Against Sydney Sweeney Nude Novig Ad

Pro and amateur female athletes say the spot sexualizes women in sports.