New York Sports Betting Handle Record $2.64 Billion in October

New York — The Empire State’s sports betting market set a new record in October, as online wagering volume surged to an all-time high of $2.64 billion, according to data from the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC). The figure represents a 6.02% increase from the previous record of $2.49 billion set in January, signaling sustained growth in one of the country’s most lucrative gambling markets.

Record Handle and Five-Month Revenue High

The October handle was also 13.3% higher than the same month in 2024 and 15.3% ahead of September’s total, underscoring both seasonal betting activity and a broader upward trend in consumer engagement.

Revenue for the month reached $238.7 million, the highest since May and a 35.4% year-on-year increase. Compared with September, operator revenue rose 23.2%. October’s performance marked the third-largest revenue month on record for the state, behind January’s $247 million and May’s record-setting $248.9 million.

The statewide hold rate, or percentage of wagers retained by sportsbooks, stood at 9.03%, a solid indicator of operator efficiency and bettor performance.

Market leader FanDuel extended its dominance in October, becoming the first operator in New York history to process over $1 billion in online sports wagers within a single month. The operator reported $100.6 million in revenue, producing a 10% hold. DraftKings followed closely, also setting a new handle record with $938 million in wagers and $82.9 million in revenue, reflecting a 8.84% hold. Together, FanDuel and DraftKings accounted for more than three-quarters of New York’s total online betting volume, reinforcing their commanding position in the market.

Fanatics Sportsbook maintained its upward momentum, ranking third with $18.7 million in revenue from a $205.7 million handle — a 9.09% hold. BetMGM climbed ahead of Caesars this month, posting $14.4 million in revenue from $187.5 million in wagers (a 7.68% hold). Caesars followed with $13.2 million on $175.8 million in bets, holding 7.51%.

Further down the leaderboard, Rush Street Interactive (BetRivers) recorded $4.4 million from a $53 million handle (an 8.30% hold), while ESPN Bet posted $3.4 million on $60.3 million in wagers (5.64% hold). ESPN Bet’s October results come just as Penn Entertainment and ESPN announced the termination of their partnership; Penn plans to relaunch its theScore Bet platform in the U.S. by December. Bally Bet generated $1.1 million from $16.6 million in bets (a 6.63% hold), while Resorts World Bet rounded out the market with $229,357 in revenue from $2.8 million in wagers, equating to an 8.33% hold.

New York’s record-breaking October underscores how deeply integrated online sports betting has become in the state’s entertainment and economic landscape,” said [Industry Analyst/Expert Name], “with FanDuel and DraftKings continuing to set the pace for the entire U.S. market.

Market Outlook

New York’s continued growth underscores the maturity and competitiveness of its online sports betting market, which launched in January 2022. With several operators setting internal records and new entrants reshaping the competitive landscape, analysts expect the state to remain the largest regulated sports betting market in the U.S. heading into 2026.

The surge in handle also reflects the strong seasonal impact of NFL, college football, and the start of the NBA and NHL seasons, suggesting that revenue could remain elevated through the end of the year.