Arizona Sports Betting See Decline in Activity, But Better Hold

If you are learning how to be a bookie, studying the trends in betting may be a bit confusing, especially in the recent months. In March, most sportsbooks reported higher handles and revenues. And in April? It depends on the market. But Arizona sports betting see a decline in sports betting for the month of April.

According to the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG), the sportsbooks in the state took in $535.7 million in bets. While half a billion seems like such a great number for those starting out in the bookie PPH business, it is actually 16.8% lower than Arizona’s handle back in March.

Arizona Sports Betting Market Still Does Well

When you own an online sportsbook through a pay per head service, you will gain familiarity with the concept of the hold percentage, which is the percentage that sportsbooks get to keep for every dollar wagered. The hold percentage is a good indicator of a good month for revenue. Which is exactly what is happening with sportsbooks in Arizona.

Sportsbooks have a 8.9% hold percentage, which is higher than March’s 8.3%. As you can see, the hold percentage is actually inversely related to the handle. After expenses on promotions are deducted, sportsbooks have an adjusted gross revenue of $34.3 million. It’s a little less compared to March’s $37.1 million, but a lot more than expected given the decrease in handle.

But even though the state is reporting a slower season, the numbers are still better than that of the same period in 2022. A 4.5% increase in handle year-on-year tells us that the market still continues to grow. And for those interested in online sports betting in the state, online sportsbooks still take in the most wagers. In fact, almost 99% of all wagers placed in the state during April are from online sportsbooks.

 

 

Ja Morant Gets 25 Game Suspension

Check this bookie software checklist to make sure you are going to get the best sportsbook software you can have. Make sure to keep track of MLB trends and NBA updates, among others. Meanwhile, in the latest in the NBA, Ja Morant, a player for the Memphis Grizzlies, was seen flashing a gun in a social media video for the second time this year and received a 25-game suspension from the NBA on Friday.

One of the NBA's most promising young players, Morant, had previously completed an eight-game suspension in March following another video in which he was seen flashing a gun in a club.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver stated in a statement that the latest suspension of Morant would be a sign that the league will crack down on "reckless behavior" with weapons.

"Ja Morant's decision to once again wield a firearm on social media is alarming and disconcerting given his similar conduct in March for which he was already suspended eight games," Silver said. "The potential for other young people to emulate Ja's conduct is particularly concerning. Under these circumstances, we believe a suspension of 25 games is appropriate and makes clear that engaging in reckless and irresponsible behavior with guns will not be tolerated."

However, the National Basketball Players Association, the league's players union, criticized the severity of Morant's suspension, calling it "excessive and inappropriate." Friday's suspension is just the latest setback in what has been a difficult year for Morant, who is regarded as one of the most talented basketball players in the world.

A high school student who claims Morant punched him during a pick-up basketball game at the athlete's house in July 2022 has also filed a lawsuit against the 23-year-old.The player's agent claimed that the player was acting in self defense in that event, which resulted in no charges being filed.

In February, the NBA looked into claims made by the Indiana Pacers that Morant's entourage "aggressively confronted" members of the team's traveling party and may have even pointed a red laser at them after a game in Memphis.