New York's Sports Betting Market Cools Off in February

New York’s sports wagering landscape experienced a notable cooling in February 2025, with betting volume retreating below $2 billion for the first time in six months. February’s handle of $1.98 billion represented a 20.2% decrease from January’s record-setting $2.48 billion. Despite this monthly contraction, the market still demonstrated healthy year-over-year growth of 11.2% compared to February 2024, highlighting the market’s overall positive trajectory amid seasonal fluctuations.

February Performance Analysis

The New York State Gaming Commission’s official data reveals February’s sports betting handle reached approximately $1.8 billion, marking the lowest monthly total since September. This 9.5% decline from January’s figures aligns with historical patterns following the NFL season’s conclusion. Despite this monthly dip, the year-over-year comparison shows impressive growth, with February’s numbers representing a 20.7% increase over February 2023’s $1.47 billion handle.

Revenue figures reflected similar patterns, with total sports betting revenue falling 25.2% from January’s record $247 million to $184.8 million in February. This still represents a substantial 40.8% improvement compared to the previous year. Mobile betting continued to dominate the market, with online platforms accounting for $1.77 billion of February’s $1.8 billion total handle.

Despite the monthly decline, New York’s betting market maintained its impressive streak of seven consecutive months with handles exceeding $1 billion – a run that includes three months where the handle surpassed the $2 billion threshold.

Operator Performance and Competitive Landscape

The battle for market share among New York’s licensed sportsbooks remains fiercely competitive. FanDuel continues its market dominance, recording a February handle of $738.5 million and generating $92.5 million in revenue – an impressive 12.53% hold rate that outpaces competitors.

DraftKings secured the second position with $717.4 million in wagers but significantly less revenue at $51.6 million, resulting in a 7.19% hold rate. BetMGM claimed the third spot with $11.8 million in revenue from $130.2 million in bets, while Fanatics followed closely with $11 million in revenue from a considerably larger $169.5 million handle. Caesars rounded out the top five with $10 million in revenue from $128.6 million in wagers.

ESPN Bet, still establishing its foothold in the market, finished sixth with revenue of $3.8 million from $43.3 million in bets – modest numbers but showing potential for future growth.

A Little History on New York’s Betting Market

New York’s sports betting journey began relatively recently, with mobile wagering launching on January 8, 2022. Despite its late entry compared to neighboring states, New York immediately established itself as a betting powerhouse. In its inaugural month, the state broke the U.S. record for monthly wagers, accepting $1.6 billion in bets and surpassing New Jersey’s previous record of $1.3 billion.

The market’s growth trajectory has been remarkable. According to Governor Kathy Hochul, New York recorded unprecedented betting activity in 2023, with the total sports betting handle exceeding $19 billion. This massive betting volume generated $862 million in online betting revenue for operators and contributed a staggering $1.55 billion in tax revenue for the state.

Monthly data from 2023 demonstrates the market’s consistent strength. January 2023 saw a handle of $1.79 billion, generating nearly $150 million in revenue and over $76 million in taxes. February 2023 recorded $1.47 billion in wagers, while March 2023 bounced back to $1.79 billion. This pattern of strong performance, despite seasonal fluctuations, underscores the robust foundation of New York’s betting ecosystem.

Economic Headwinds and Market Challenges

February’s betting slowdown occurs against a backdrop of broader economic concerns affecting the gambling industry. Market volatility triggered by recession fears and uncertainty surrounding new trade policies has impacted both traditional casinos and online betting operators.

During economic downturns, gambling behaviors tend to follow complex patterns. Governments often rely heavily on gambling as a source of tax revenue during recessions, sometimes leading to expanded gambling opportunities or regulatory changes aimed at boosting economic activity. The pressure to maintain tax revenues can result in policy shifts that either restrict or encourage gambling activities.

Despite these challenges, industry leaders remain optimistic about the sector’s resilience. At the recent NEXT Summit New York 2025, Drive by DraftKings CEO Meredith McPherron acknowledged the short-term difficulties but emphasized that economic downturns often drive innovation:

In good times and hard times, people turn to entertainment to find joy and connect with a community. I think we’re in a strong, resilient space.

Emerging Trends Reshaping the Betting Landscape

As traditional sports betting navigates economic uncertainties, the broader betting industry continues to evolve with innovative technologies. One of the most significant developments has been the rise of cryptocurrency-based betting platforms.

In 2024, Solana emerged as a leading blockchain for betting platforms, offering advantages like lightning-fast transactions, minimal fees, and superior scalability. These platforms attracted both crypto enthusiasts and traditional bettors seeking more efficient alternatives to conventional betting sites.

Artificial intelligence has transformed betting strategies, with AI-powered platforms providing data-driven insights that have reportedly increased win rates by as much as a quarter for some users. The integration of AI for predictive analytics, risk management, and personalized recommendations continues to gain traction throughout 2025.

The esports betting sector has experienced explosive growth, driven by mainstream acceptance of competitive gaming and the integration of cryptocurrencies as payment methods. Industry analysts project that virtual sports—AI-generated competitions available for betting—will develop into a $1 billion market by 2026.

Decentralized betting platforms utilizing blockchain technology are gaining popularity, with some reporting significant reductions in disputes thanks to transparent processes based on smart contracts. This shift toward decentralization represents a fundamental change in how betting markets operate and how players interact with them.

Regulatory Considerations and Tax Revenue

New York’s robust tax structure for sports betting—among the highest in the nation—has made it a significant revenue generator for the state. The ability to collect substantial tax revenue from betting operations becomes especially important during periods of economic uncertainty.

Historical data suggests that gambling habits acquired or intensified during recessions may persist long after economic recovery, leading to potential long-term changes in consumer behavior. This persistence underscores the importance of responsible gambling measures, including betting limits, accessible addiction resources, and proactive monitoring systems4.

As the betting market continues to evolve with technologies like cryptocurrency and decentralized platforms, regulators face the challenge of adapting frameworks to address emerging concerns while continuing to capture tax revenue that supports public services.

Prospects for New York’s Betting Market, Going Forward

While February’s slowdown raises short-term questions, the overall trajectory of New York’s sports betting market remains positive. The market continues to be one of the most robust in the United States and appears well-positioned to exceed last year’s record performance.

Industry experts will closely monitor upcoming months to determine whether February’s decline represents a temporary dip related to seasonal factors or signals a more prolonged slowdown tied to broader economic conditions. The summer months traditionally see lower betting volumes without major football events, but the continued innovation in betting technologies suggests the industry will find new avenues for growth.

For New York specifically, maintaining its position as a leading betting market will depend on its ability to adapt to changing consumer preferences, technological innovations, and economic conditions while balancing regulatory oversight with market competitiveness.