A Record-Breaking January Sports Betting Handle for New York

By Matt Speakman,
Betting Expert at online-gambling.com

Matt Speakman Betting Expert at online-gambling.com

A die-hard fan of the Patriots, Matt Speakman is an expert on everything related to sports betting and DFS sites. Over the years, he has proven a valuable asset for our team at online-gambling.com. You can find Speakman's professional tips and tricks in any of his many articles on the website.

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Last updated: February 15, 2025

The New York State Gaming Commission reported another record-breaking online sports betting handle. In January 2025, gamblers wagered an impressive $2.48 billion. This amount marks an all-time high for the Empire State and the whole of the US. For reference, the previous record was also held by New York for October 2024.

Overview of the New York Wagering Handle by Month

New York legalized retail sports betting in 2013, and almost a decade later, in 2022, it also allowed for online and mobile sportsbooks to operate across the state. Since then, we’ve seen exponential growth in the sector and several records over the years. Just recently, the New York State Gaming Commission reported a January 2025 online wagering handle of $2.48 billion.

As you can see, this is the fifth consecutive month with a handle exceeding $2 billon. The January amount is more than the state’s previous record marked in October 2024. It’s also the highest online sports betting handle reported by any US state so far. There’s a significant Year-on-Year (YoY) increase set at 23.9%, with a $1.96 billion sports betting handle reported in January 2024.

Biggest Sportsbooks in New York

As of February 2025, there’s a total of 9 online sportsbooks operating in New York. This includes BetMGM, DraftKings, BetRivers, ESPN Bet, Bally Bet, Caesars, FanDuel, Fanatics, and Resorts World Bet. All of them offer a variety of sports betting options. A few of them, however, outperform the rest.

FanDuel is the January 2025 leader, contributing $965 million to the total online wagering handle in New York. The site is closely followed by another reputable sportsbook, DraftKings, with $837.9 million generated in the state. The remaining amount is divided among the seven remaining operators, though specific figures have not been disclosed.

The Growing Gambling Sector in New York and Its Impact

While online casinos have not been legalized in New York, there are plenty of retail gambling establishments across the state. In addition, sports wagering has been flourishing in the last couple of years. But what about the impact this has had on the public? The main benefit is the generated tax revenue.

Sports wagering is taxed at 51%, with most of the sum being used to fund New York’s public schools. $5 million a year fund sports programs for underserved youth and $6 million goes towards problem gambling education and treatment. The New York State Gaming Commission, the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), and the New York Council on Problem Gambling (NYCPG) work together to ensure responsible gambling remains a focus in the state.

These three organizations make up a coalition called New York State’s Responsible Play Partnership (RPP) and just recently had a meeting in del Lago Resort & Casino in Waterloo to discuss their future goals and strategies. Online and mobile sports betting has been at the forefront of their discussions. It’s become clear that the activity is growing in popularity among NY gamblers, and more research is needed so the state can respond appropriately to that.

“A lot of what we’re trying to do is gather the right types of information and ensure that the experts at the New York Council on Problem Gambling, or OASAS, have access to that so they can make their policy determinations and implement what’s appropriate.” – said Robert Williams, Executive Director for the New York State Gaming Commission.