Operators in Arizona set a new record for sports betting handle in October, but fell short of a record for revenue, while DraftKings and FanDuel continued to switch places at the top of the operator leaderboard.
Figures published by the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) Tuesday show that handle came to $967.1 million, breaking the previous record of $897.6 million set in November 2024.
Sportsbooks held 8.6% of handle, resulting in gross gaming revenue of $83.0 million, falling short of the record — also set in November 2024 — by $3.3 million.
Operators handed out $30.4 million worth of free bets, leaving taxable revenue of $51.6 million. Operators can deduct promotional spend on a sliding scale.
With online betting revenue taxed at 10%, that means the state took in $5.2 million.
Arizonans have now wagered $7.34 billion on sports this year, and $29.65 billion since the state launched sports betting Sept. 9, 2021. Total sportsbook revenue for the year is $665.7 million.
Arizona sixth-best for October handle
The results put Arizona sixth in the leaderboard for October handle, with all states having now reported. It finished just $1.4 million behind Pennsylvania in fifth. October was already a record month for sports betting handle nationally even before the Arizona figures came in, though it could be eclipsed by November once all states report.
November has been a big month for states that have reported results so far, with Indiana, Ohio, and New York among the states setting records for handle and revenue, with revenue figures boosted by an end to the winning streak bettors experienced during the first two months of the NFL season.
If there’s a similar pattern in Arizona, the state may record its first month with more than $1 billion in handle when it reports its November figures next month, possibly accompanied by its first month with more than $100 million in revenue. Only New York, New Jersey, Nevada, Illinois, and Ohio have crossed the $1 billion monthly mark for handle.
FanDuel and DraftKings switch places
FanDuel reclaimed the top spot in handle, with $317.1 million, ahead of DraftKings’ $293.7 million, after two months in second place.
But in terms of revenue, it was the reverse, with DraftKings’ $28.8 million overtaking FanDuel’s $26.2 million, after FanDuel had been ahead in September.
BetMGM remained third in handle, followed by Fanatics and Bet365, with those three holding the same places in the revenue leaderboard.
