Sports Betting Handle Rise in August 2025

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© C. A. Bridges / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Traditionally, the “driest” period of the year for sportsbooks, June through August, is coming to an end, as the NFL preseason wrapped up and the regular season began in September. The latest data reflects August numbers, since September figures are not yet published. One of the biggest jumps came from New York, where the handle grew more than 42% year over year.

New York: The Heavyweight Keeps Growing

New York continues to dominate the sports betting landscape. August 2025 saw a handle of $2.05 billion, up from $1.44 billion the year prior. Revenue also jumped from $126.0 million to $178.8 million, with a nearly identical win rate (8.73% vs. 8.74%).

With steady growth all year (ranging from 9.5% in April to over 42% in August), September could even surpass the record set in January 2025, when New Yorkers wagered nearly $2.49 billion.

New Jersey: A Rollercoaster with Upside

New Jersey posted an $814.3 million handle in August 2025, compared to $698.8 million in August 2024. Revenue hit $81.9 million, a jump from $62.7 million. 

Monthly handles stood at $790.4 million in June and $664.0 million in July. While the state has had unpredictable swings, the last four months have all been higher than 2024. If that trend continues, September could approach a massive $1.39 billion in handle.

Louisiana: A Year of Rapid Growth

Louisiana recorded a handle of $271.4 million in August 2025, a huge jump from $153.9 million in August 2024. Revenue also climbed significantly, from $18.1 million last year to $32.7 million this August. 

The state has seen consistent month-to-month growth: $245.3 million in June and $226.7 million in July. Based on the strong year-over-year growth trends (an average of nearly 18% over the past four months), Louisiana could be looking at a September handle of over $414 million.

Maryland: Consistent Gains, Despite Fluctuations

Maryland’s handle reached $434.2 million in August 2025, up from $377.3 million the previous year. Revenue followed the same upward trend, jumping from $39.2 million to $52.5 million.

Handles in June and July came in at $403.8 million and $364.0 million, respectively. Although growth rates have been uneven (ranging from 5% in June to nearly 17% in May), the average increase over the last four months sits at 11.5%, suggesting a September forecast of around $594 million.

North Carolina: A Newcomer Finding Its Stride

In just 18 months of legalized online sports betting, North Carolina has shown remarkable growth. August 2025’s handle hit $478.7 million, up from $370.5 million in 2024. Revenue surged from $33.8 million to $54.1 million. 

Handles in June and July were $433.2 million and $370.4 million. Except for April (which saw an 11% decrease year-over-year), North Carolina has been steadily rising. If the pattern holds, September could bring a handle of around $650 million.

Pennsylvania: A Veteran State

Pennsylvania continues to show stability in its mature betting market. August 2025 saw a handle of $515.4 million, slightly above $485.3 million in 2024. Revenue also rose, from $45.4 million to $66.5 million.

Handles in June and July came in at $483.6 million and $412.5 million. Forecasts suggest a modest 5% year-over-year growth in September, which would put the handle at around $850 million.

Milica Jovanovic

Milica has 10 years of experience in content writing and editing, primarily focused on sports and sports betting. She graduated in journalism. Her passions include basketball, soccer, and American football. She takes pride in staying up to date with industry news, particularly the financial aspects such as handle and revenue.

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