The Empire State’s sports betting market shattered expectations in October 2025, setting a new national benchmark for online wagering. According to data from the New York State Gaming Commission, bettors staked an unprecedented $2.64 billion on sports — the highest monthly handle ever recorded in the U.S.
The milestone marked a 13% year-over-year increase and surpassed the previous record of $2.49 billion, set in January. Fueled by a packed sports calendar that included NFL and college football, the MLB playoffs, and the start of both the NBA and NHL seasons, October’s surge pushed the state’s cumulative mobile handle to its 14th month above the $2 billion threshold.
Record Month for Operators
The eight licensed mobile sportsbooks operating in New York collectively earned $238.7 million in gross gaming revenue, up 35% from October 2024. The industry-wide 9% hold rate — higher than last year’s 7.6% — made October the state’s third-most profitable month since mobile betting launched in January 2022.
Tax revenue followed suit, with operators contributing $121.8 million at New York’s 51% rate, bringing 2025’s total to a record $1.05 billion — already exceeding last year’s full-year figure with two months still remaining.
Market leader FanDuel broke new ground by becoming the first mobile sportsbook in New York history to take more than $1 billion in bets in a single month. The Flutter Entertainment-owned operator’s handle reached $1.01 billion, just edging past the milestone, while generating $100.6 million in revenue — a 30% increase year-over-year with a 10% hold rate.
According to InGame, FanDuel’s October handle gave it 38.1% market share, up from 34.5% in September, though slightly below its share in October 2024. It was the fourth time in 12 months that FanDuel’s New York revenue surpassed nine figures.
DraftKings, Fanatics, and BetMGM Drive Growth
DraftKings nearly matched its top rival, posting a record $938 million handle and $82.9 million in revenue, up 40.8% year-over-year. The Boston-based operator maintained a strong 35.5% market share and achieved an 8.8% hold, its best result since May.
Fanatics Sportsbook continued its upward trend with $205.7 million wagered and $18.7 million in revenue — a 50.8% annual increase — on the strength of a 9.1% win rate.
BetMGM reclaimed a 7% handle share for the first time since July, accepting $187.5 million in wagers. Its $14.4 million revenue, up more than 50% year-on-year, reflected a 7.7% hold. Caesars Sportsbook closely followed with $175.8 million handle and $13.2 million revenue, marking a 21% rise from last year.
Meanwhile, BetRivers recorded its strongest month since late 2023, producing $4.4 million in winnings from a $53 million handle at an 8.3% hold.
ESPN Bet, operated by Penn Entertainment, posted a personal best $60.3 million handle in October but captured only 2.3% of the market. Despite a 47% increase in wagering, a sub-6% hold limited revenue to $3.4 million.
Just days after the October data release, Penn Entertainment and ESPN announced the early termination of their $2 billion partnership, paving the way for Penn’s transition back to theScore Bet in December. ESPN Bet exits New York without ever achieving a 3% market share or generating $50 million in total revenue.
The week ending November 2 delivered the highest weekly handle in state history — $661.6 million — driven by five World Series games and a full slate of NFL matchups. Operators posted $75.9 million in gross revenue for the week, led by FanDuel, which generated nearly 45% of statewide profits with a 13% hold.
DraftKings also saw a strong performance, collecting $25.8 million in revenue from $236.3 million in wagers — a 67% increase over the prior week.
Since mobile sports betting went live in January 2022, New York operators have now generated more than $7.1 billion in cumulative revenue, solidifying the Empire State’s position as the most lucrative sports betting market in the United States.
