Following the repeal of the 2018 federal ban, the United States has transformed into one of the world’s largest sports betting markets. The local sports betting industry has grown by leaps and bounds in the past years, with Americans spending more than $164 billion on sports wagers in 2025 alone.
In this report, we provide comprehensive statistics on US sports betting revenue and handle, offering a ranking of the states with the highest betting volume. Also included is detailed information on the three states with the largest amounts wagered on sports in early 2026.
US States Ranked by Number of Licensed Sportsbooks
State laws determine the range of betting options available to residents, creating significant differences in the number of licensed operators nationwide. New Jersey was the undisputed leader in 2025 with 17 sportsbooks, largely because its regulatory framework allows each Atlantic City casino to host up to 3 online brands, known as skins.
States like Florida and Rhode Island sit at the very bottom of the ranking, with 1 authorised operator each, due to their monopoly systems. In Florida, the Seminole Tribe holds exclusive rights through Hard Rock Bet, while Rhode Island grants its state lottery full control via Bally’s.
The list excludes Washington, North Dakota, and Wisconsin, as sports betting there is restricted to tribal land rather than a state-licensed commercial framework. Additionally, Missouri is a fresh entry to the market, having only launched its regulated industry in December 2025.
Data Sources: American Gaming Association
US Sports Betting Handle Has Risen By Over 2,387% Since 2018
US sports bettors collectively wagered over $164 billion in 2025 compared to only $6.61 billion in 2018 for a whopping 2,387% increase. This impressive growth rate can be attributed to the rapid legislative expansion as now 40 or so states have legal sports betting.
Some of the most dramatic year-over-year handle increases occurred when densely populated states like New York and Ohio came online in 2019 and 2023. The surge was further fueled by the widespread adoption of mobile betting apps, which now account for approximately 90% of all wagers, according to Grand View Research.
(in Billion USD)
Data Sources: American Gaming Association, Covers.com, Research Ground
US Sports Betting Revenue Exceeded $16.6 Billion in 2025
Rapid legalisation across the country led to an unprecedented revenue growth as annual sportsbook revenue surged from $440 million in 2018 to $16.69 billion last year, representing a staggering 3,673% increase since the market opened. The most significant year-over-year growth occurred in 2021, which saw a 180% increase as revenue climbed by $2.79 billion.
This impressive growth is partially due to the fact many operators like DraftKings and FanDuel have improved their margins by heavily promoting same-game parlays, player props, and other multi-leg bets, which grew in popularity following the 2018 legalisation.
(in Billion USD)
Data Sources: American Gaming Association, Covers.com
New Yorkers Wagered $26.31 Billion on Sports in 2025, Ranking First in Handle
Official regulatory data shows that New York is the state with the keenest bettors as residents collectively wagered $26.31 billion on sports for a 15.9% increase from the previous year. Illinois and New Jersey completed the top 3 with handles of $14.07 billion and $12.04 billion, respectively. While most markets continued to climb, 7 states, namely New Jersey, Nevada, Rhode Island, Colorado, Arizona, Michigan, and West Virginia, experienced year-over-year decreases in handle as local competition intensified.
The most dramatic growth occurred in the District of Columbia, which saw an 85% increase following regulatory changes. Arizona suffered the sharpest decline, with its handle dropping by 26.1% to $5.88 billion. Smaller markets like Vermont and Wyoming remained at the bottom of the rankings, with handles of $23.5 million and $234.5 million.
| States Ranked by Sports Betting Handle | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | State | 2025 | 2024 | YoY Change |
| 1. | New York | $26,309,751,747 | $22,704,393,565 | 15.9% |
| 2. | Illinois | $14,074,044,861 | $14,012,948,440 | 0.4% |
| 3. | New Jersey | $12,037,018,569 | $12,774,039,220 | -5.8% |
| 4. | Ohio | $10,233,236,030 | $8,893,863,041 | 15.1% |
| 5. | Pennsylvania | $8,695,793,240 | $8,421,417,829 | 3.3% |
| 6. | Massachusetts | $8,481,146,000 | $7,401,117,704 | 14.6% |
| 7. | Virginia | $7,655,729,000 | $6,925,832,328 | 10.5% |
| 8. | North Carolina | $7,255,992,000 | $5,417,556,359 | 33.9% |
| 9. | Nevada | $7,115,861,627 | $7,897,081,590 | -9.9% |
| 10. | Maryland | $6,596,667,450 | $5,940,586,770 | 11.0% |
| 11. | Colorado | $5,886,322,000 | $6,187,564,045 | -4.9% |
| 12. | Arizona | $5,878,659,168 | $7,959,647,194 | -26.1% |
| 13. | Tennessee | $5,870,232,160 | $5,297,710,042 | 10.8% |
| 14. | Indiana | $5,653,289,966 | $5,212,332,659 | 8.5% |
| 15. | Michigan | $5,490,528,482 | $5,511,011,495 | -0.4% |
| 16. | Louisiana | $4,125,054,000 | $3,699,656,883 | 11.5% |
| 17. | Kentucky | $2,971,952,819 | $2,626,519,302 | 13.2% |
| 18. | Iowa | $2,847,302,576 | $2,770,339,581 | 2.8% |
| 19. | Kansas | $2,825,750,000 | $2,546,011,854 | 11.0% |
| 20. | Connecticut | $2,344,202,000 | $2,188,729,409 | 7.1% |
| 21. | Oregon | $926,931,000 | $864,688,484 | 7.2% |
| 22. | District of Columbia | $855,598,547 | $462,485,976 | 85% |
| 23. | New Hampshire | $845,094,000 | $796,382,688 | 6.1% |
| 24. | Arkansas | $639,514,000 | $557,920,061 | 14.6% |
| 25. | Maine | $599,594,000 | $524,408,448 | 14.3% |
| 26. | West Virginia | $482,390,551 | $505,414,814 | -4.6% |
| 27. | Rhode Island | $429,959,014 | $483,686,264 | -11.1% |
| 28. | Delaware | $253,316,573 | $216,240,459 | 17.1% |
| 29. | Vermont | $235,087,000 | $198,754,297 | 18.3% |
| 30. | Wyoming | $234,482,000 | $209,605,808 | 11.9% |
Data Sources: American Gaming Association,, Covers.com,, Research Ground
Top 3 States with Highest Sports Betting Handle in Early 2026
New York Remains the Undisputed Market Leader
New York remains the focal point of the US sports betting industry as the New York State Gaming Commission reported a combined handle of $2.45 billion for January 2026. This total comprises both mobile and in-person wagers at commercial casinos and resulted in combined gross revenue of $251.2 million. Despite its steep 51% tax on mobile betting revenue, the highest in the US, New York’s market thrives on sheer volume and funnels substantial proceeds directly into state education programmes.
Mobile Wagers in New York Increased by 2.6% in January
The mobile sector remains the main driver of growth as mobile bettors across the Empire State collectively wagered $2.44 billion on sports in January 2026, a 2.6% increase from the previous month. Mobile revenue dipped by 3.5% to $250.2 million as win rates improved. The net revenue of the 8 licensed operators stood at $122.8 million, with $127.8 million going towards education.
(January 2026)
Data Sources: New York State Gaming Commission
FanDuel and DraftKings with 69.3% of All Mobile Betting Handle in January
The New York market remains heavily consolidated, with giants FanDuel and DraftKings commanding over 69% of the total mobile handle in January 2026. Their dominance leaves little room for smaller competitors like Bally Bet, which captured a mere 0.7% share of the month’s wagering volume.
| New York Mobile Sports Betting Handle per Operator (January 2026) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Operator | Handle | Gross Revenue |
| FanDuel | $875,340,713 | $113,714,850 |
| DraftKings | $818,310,959 | $79,676,671 |
| BetMGM | $242,411,507 | $13,350,102 |
| Fanatics | $223,339,099 | $21,511,212 |
| Caesars | $160,699,972 | $11,533,370 |
| theScore bet | $54,083,084 | $4,339,230 |
| Rush Street Interactive | $52,224,412 | $4,774,789 |
| Bally Bet | $17,260,559 | $1,729,475 |
Data Sources: New York State Gaming Commission
Commercial Casinos Account for a 0.2% Share of January’s Handle
In-person betting represents a tiny fraction of New York’s sports betting market as the three commercial casinos in the state processed approximately $4.63 million in wagers, accounting for a meagre 0.2% of the total monthly volume. Their revenue was equally unimpressive as it stood at $521,051 also for a 0.2% share. This goes to show that land-based sportsbooks have become niche destinations primarily visited for live viewing events.
(January 2026)
Data Sources: New York State Gaming Commission
Rivers Casino and Resort Collected 68.6% of All In-Person Wagers in January
Rivers Casino and Resort ranked first both in terms of handle and revenue due to its strategic location, effective partnership with BetRivers, and strong marketing campaign during the NFL playoffs in January. It attracted around $3.18 million in sports wagers, easily outperforming its rivals del Lago Resort & Casino and Tioga Downs. New York’s fourth commercial casino, Resorts World Catskills, stopped offering sports betting in June 2025 to focus on its potential downstate expansion.
| New York Sports Betting Handle per Commercial Casino (January 2026) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Operator | Handle | Gross Revenue |
| del Lago Resort & Casino | $1,159,425 | $134,530 |
| Rivers Casino and Resort | $3,177,141 | $349,002 |
| Tioga Downs Casino | $290,416 | $37,561 |
Data Sources: New York State Gaming Commission
Illinois Retains the Runner-Up Position with $1.44 Billion in Wagers
Illinois maintains its position as the state with the second-highest wagering volume in the US as the reporting period from December 2025 to January 2026 saw Illinoisans place 28.79 million bets with a total volume of $1.44 billion. As impressive as it is, this amount indicates a 40.9% decline from the same period a year earlier, when residents spent $2.97 billion on sports betting.
(December 2025 – January 2026)
Data Sources: Illinois Gaming Board
Professional Sports Account for 80.7% of All Betting Handle in Illinois
Professional sports remained the primary driver of activity in Illinois. Bettors placed 26.3 million bets on professional events, resulting in a substantial handle of $1.16 billion. A whopping 98.1% of all betting volume, or $1.14 billion, came from the online segment, with in-person wagering generating a meagre $225.8 million. On a per-operator basis, Casino Queen attracted the most action with $421.8 million in handle and 9.2 million bets.
| Illinois Handle and Bets for Professional Sports Per Operator (December 2025 – January 2026) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | Tier 1 Bets | Tier 1 Handle | Tier 2 Bets | Tier 2 Handle |
| 815 Entertainment | 96,315 | $4,987,853 | 461,431 | $16,011,581 |
| Alton Casino | 5,422 | $644,513 | 7,577 | $677,788 |
| Casino Queen | 1,977,716 | $127,780,300 | 7,217,921 | $294,068,843 |
| Elgin Riverboat Resort | 216,010 | $17,523,166 | 335,006 | $24,230,973 |
| Fairmount Park | 6,436,709 | $160,151,596 | 4,042,412 | $193,587,401 |
| FHR-Illinois | 17,789 | $4,805,541 | 13,633 | $4,183,823 |
| Hawthorne Race Course | 279,293 | $24,605,148 | 1,064,224 | $68,591,269 |
| HC Aurora | 135,561 | $9,741,554 | 682,698 | $29,991,296 |
| HC Joliet | 7,892 | $730,984 | 8,122 | $858,202 |
| Midwest Gaming & Entertainment | 199,257 | $17,440,474 | 450,566 | $43,580,216 |
| Northside Crown Gaming | 3,161 | $299,067 | 2,302 | $145,938 |
| Par-A-Dice Gaming Corporation | 630,951 | $39,796,269 | 445,395 | $24,327,212 |
| Southern Illinois Riverboat | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
| The Rock Island Boatworks | 7,409 | $51,275 | 9,768 | $43,565 |
| Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort | 239,423 | $9,137,461 | 1,329,692 | $45,119,046 |
| Total | 10,252,908 | $417,695,201 | 16,070,747 | $745,417,153 |
Data Sources: Illinois Gaming Board
College Sports Secured a 18.8% Share of All Betting Activity in the Prairie State
While college sports maintain a dedicated following, they currently account for a smaller portion of the overall market with 2.36 million bets and a total handle of $270.7 million for a 18.8% share of all betting activity during this period. This is partly due to the state’s continued restrictions on wagering on in-state collegiate teams.
The online segment accounted for 96.6% of all college sports betting activity with $261.5 million in handle, compared to $9.17 million for in-person betting. Casino Queen again outperformed other operators in the state, generating $93.6 million in handle and 818,930 in bets on college sports.
| Illinois Handle and Bets for College Sports (December 2025 – January 2026) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | Tier 1 Bets | Tier 1 Handle | Tier 2 Bets | Tier 2 Handle |
| 815 Entertainment | 43,140 | $2,559,910 | 55,747 | $3,928,441 |
| Alton Casino | 1,672 | $465,349 | 896 | $340,320 |
| Casino Queen | 302,434 | $35,698,479 | 516,496 | $57,893,502 |
| Elgin Riverboat Resort | 94,941 | $11,902,434 | 36,205 | $4,500,742 |
| Fairmount Park | 245,995 | $21,799,216 | 257,391 | $32,679,259 |
| FHR-Illinois | 8,814 | $2,918,479 | 6,297 | $1,572,957 |
| Hawthorne Race Course | 99,131 | $17,171,354 | 122,726 | $17,517,636 |
| HC Aurora | 53,262 | $5,302,497 | 78,904 | $5,594,550 |
| HC Joliet | 2,081 | $222,999 | 1,275 | $230,271 |
| Midwest Gaming & Entertainment | 72,616 | $8,479,192 | 60,877 | $11,152,407 |
| Northside Crown Gaming | 802 | $101,627 | 474 | $121,302 |
| Par-A-Dice Gaming Corporation | 92,617 | $14,457,507 | 22,006 | $2,787,878 |
| Southern Illinois Riverboat/Casino | 0 | $0.00 | 0 | $0.00 |
| The Rock Island Boatworks, LLC | 1,860 | $22,144 | 550 | $29,636 |
| Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort | 63,019 | $3,585,151 | 118,123 | $7,615,053 |
| Total | 1,082,383 | $124,686,338 | 1,277,967 | $145,963,953 |
Data Sources: Illinois Gaming Board
Beyond major leagues, motor sports and the broader category of “other sports” represent a significant niche within Illinois’ betting market. The Illinois Gaming Board tracks these separately because motorsports have unique race-specific rules, while the group of “other sports” comprises all other disciplines, from tennis and golf to niche sports like table tennis, darts, and cricket.
For the last reporting period from December 2025 to January 2026, motor sports saw only 2,704 bets placed, resulting in a handle of $101,062, with 96.3% coming from the online segment. The other sports attracted 107,416 bets and generated a betting volume of $7.2 million.
(December 2025 – January 2026)
Data Sources: Illinois Gaming Board
New Jersey Completes the Top 3 with $1.03 Billion in Handle in January
New Jersey’s sports betting market saw a contraction in January 2026, with combined revenue falling 6.5% year-over-year to $114.2 million. This decline was felt across all sectors as online gross revenue slipped 5.3% to $112.3 million, while in-person revenue plummeted by over 47% to just $1.93 million.
(January 2026)
Data Sources: New Jersey Office of Attorney General
Despite these dips, the state achieved a total sports betting handle of $1.03 billion in January. Similarly to New York and Illinois, most betting activity took place online as $999.2 million, or roughly 96.6% of all handle came from digital platforms. Land-based sportsbooks, or sports lounges as they are commonly called, reported a modest $35.2 million in betting volume.
| Breakdown of Sports Betting Handle and Revenue in New Jersey (January 2026) | |
|---|---|
| In-Person Revenue | $1,928,201 |
| In-Person Handle | $35,211,73 |
| Online Revenue | $112,304,80 |
| Online Handle | $999,222,617 |
Data Sources: New Jersey Office of Attorney General
Parlays were the most popular choice for New Jersey bettors, accounting for $340.1 million of the total handle in January. Among individual sports, basketball led the way with $280.7 million, followed by football with $219.8 million. The category of other sports contributed a significant $193.5 million, while baseball trailed behind, drawing only $108,892 in wagers.
(January 2026)
Data Sources: New Jersey Office of Attorney General
In summary, the US market shows no signs of slowing down, with Grand View Research projecting that the national sports betting industry will continue to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 10.9% by 2030. As Missouri’s newly launched industry matures and potential legislative shifts occur in other major states, the market will become even more competitive, reaching an even greater number of sports fans across the country.