New York’s online sports betting market set a new record in July, with sportsbooks topping $200 million in monthly revenue for the first time since mobile sports betting launched in January 2022. The eight licensed online sportsbooks brought in $214.4 million in gross gaming revenue from $1.88 billion in bets. Summer is typically a slow stretch for sportsbooks, which makes the figure unusual.
The hold rate came in at 11.4%, meaning operators retained that share of total wagers as revenue before expenses. July revenue came in over $97 million higher than June and increased 37.8% compared to July 2025. Betting activity stayed strong too, July’s handle climbed 34.3% compared to last year. International soccer, like the FIFA World Cup, kept bettors active throughout the summer.
A Record July for New York Sportsbooks
July’s numbers showed a strong comeback for New York’s sports betting operators after a weaker June. Six of the eight online sportsbooks reported higher revenue from June to July, showing a broad improvement. Summer typically means less action for sportsbooks, with big U.S. sports like the NFL and NBA in their off-seasons. But July brought a different result. Bettors kept putting large amounts of money on international soccer, giving sportsbooks another major source of activity.
The $1.88 billion bet in July pushed the combined handle for June and July to about $4.1 billion. That strong betting volume, along with favourable results, helped operators reach the 11.4% hold. New York’s tax collections felt the impact. The state taxes sportsbook revenue at 51%, which pulled in over $109 million in July alone. Year-to-date, tax revenue surpassed $725 million.
How the World Cup Drove New York’s Summer Handle
International soccer played a big part in keeping New York bettors engaged during a typically slow season. The FIFA World Cup drew betting interest state-wide, with bettors active on tournament matches. The tournament’s outcomes also worked in the sportsbooks’ favor. During the knockout rounds, soccer results boosted operators’ hold. The final, where reports say Spain beat Argentina, was highlighted as another win for sportsbooks.
The tournament became the centrepiece of New York’s summer betting calendar. Rather than relying solely on traditional U.S. sports, sportsbooks attracted wagers from international events and kept momentum going.
FanDuel and DraftKings Lead the Market
Competition among New York’s major sportsbooks stayed strong in July. FanDuel and DraftKings continued to lead the market. DraftKings posted the highest handle, taking about $661.5 million in bets, which delivered $72.9 million in gross gaming revenue. FanDuel handled slightly less, about $651.2 million, but led in revenue, pulling in $86.1 million. Its 13.2% hold rate stood among the highest in the state for the month.
Fanatics Sportsbook also held a top spot, generating $21.1 million in revenue on $221.6 million in bets. BetMGM and Caesars both landed double-digit revenue numbers as well. These results show how big operators still control the majority of the market, even as other major brands fight for New York’s active betting crowd.
New York remains the largest online sports betting market in the country by revenue, and the result lands weeks before the NFL season opens. The question for operators is whether an international tournament that will not recur for four years papered over a structurally slow summer.
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