October marked one year since Indiana casinos started taking bets online. And last month was also the best month Hoosiers sports books have had yet.

Indiana, like most states, is in need of every penny of revenue it can get as it struggles through the pandemic. And sports gambling analysts say October’s gaming tax revenue delivered a positive sign for what they say is a sustainable gambling future.

Hoosiers generated more than $2 million in sports gaming taxes for the state in October, the first time Indiana crossed the $2 million mark.

The vast majority of sports bets – more than 83 percent – came from online gambling.

Industry analysts say October offered the most normal sports schedule since the pandemic began, meaning the $2 million-tax haul could help set long-term expectations for the revenue source.

Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.