In April, the New York State Gaming Commission revealed a robust sports betting handle of nearly $1.97 billion, narrowly missing the $2 billion mark, marking the fourth time in history it came close to this milestone. The impressive figures were partly fueled by revenue collected in the final week of March, which was absorbed into April’s financial records due to the state’s fiscal year starting on April 1st. Consequently, there was a notable 6.2% month-over-month increase in handle from March, a rarity in the industry, accompanied by a 20.6% surge in sports betting revenue, reaching $184 million.
This handle places New York fourth all-time nationally in the post-PASPA era, reaffirming the state’s monopoly on top-10 all-time totals. Similarly, the revenue total ranks fourth overall, with the Empire State claiming eight of the top-10 monthly operator winnings, leaving states like New Jersey and Ohio trailing with just one apiece.
Steady Growth and Revenue Surge
Comparing April 2024 to the same period in 2023, there was a notable 27.1% increase in handle and a 32.1% surge in revenue, showcasing a steady growth trajectory in New York’s sports betting landscape. The total accepted bets through the first four months of 2024 reached $7.57 billion, marking a 14.4% increase from the previous year. Moreover, the near-9% win rate generated $679.6 million in revenue, a substantial 21.1% increase.
The state collected $93.8 million in taxes, with the bulk of it sourced from New York’s nine mobile operators, demonstrating the significant economic contribution of the sports betting industry. Year-to-date, the state’s tax receipts stand at $345.1 million, surpassing last year’s pace by $59.6 million and on track to exceed $1 billion, doubling the initial projections set by former Governor Andrew Cuomo.
FanDuel’s Remarkable Performance
FanDuel showcased an impressive recovery with an 11.7% hold, avoiding its third consecutive month with a sub-10% hold. This achievement is noteworthy, especially considering the challenges faced in the early months of mobile betting in New York. With a win rate of 11.7%, FanDuel amassed $91 million in revenue from $780.5 million worth of wagers, surpassing $1.8 billion in total revenue in the Empire State.
Distinct Performances of Leading Operators
DraftKings witnessed a remarkable 42.7% year-over-year increase in handle, reaching $737 million, while maintaining a solid 8.6% hold, resulting in a substantial revenue of $63.2 million for April. Caesars, however, experienced a decline in market share, with its 8.1% contribution to the total mobile handle marking an all-time low. Despite this, Caesars managed to surpass $400 million in total revenue.
Fanatics Sportsbook, in its first full month as an operator in New York, reported $5.6 million in revenue, setting an all-time high, with a 7.5% hold. Similarly, BetRivers and BetMGM showcased steady performances, contributing to the diverse landscape of sports betting operators in the state.
May’s Promising Start
The first week of May saw a promising surge in sports betting activity, with a combined handle of $484.1 million among the nine mobile operators. DraftKings led the pack with its second-highest week of action, totaling $217.2 million in handle. FanDuel, accounting for more than half of the operator winnings for the week, reported $12.6 million, contributing to the overall positive momentum in New York’s sports betting industry.
Source: “New York Narrowly Misses $2 Billion In Handle for April”. Sports Handle. May 10, 2024.