
Key points:
- Sports wagering handle rises, with sharp decrease in revenues
- Casino revenue drops month-over-month & year-over-year
- FanDuel & Rivers Casino led the way once again as the state’s primary revenue drivers
Figures published by the New York State Gaming Commission have revealed a $2.28bn sports wagering handle for the month of December 2024, while casino gaming revenue hits $56.96m.
These latest figures highlight a 0.6% increase in overall sports wagering handle in comparison to figures from the month prior, while gross gaming revenue (GGR) fell by a notable 42.5% month-over-month to $150.4m. Regarding casinos, this latest figure marks a decrease from the month prior, as well as year-over-year.
Sports wagering: Handle
Year-over-year, New York’s monthly state wagering handle for December rose by 11.1% and marks the state’s second-highest monthly wagering figure recorded in 2024. Indeed, December’s figure was eclipsed only by October’s record breaking $2.32bn monthly wagering handle, which marked the United States' highest-ever recorded month of statewide sports betting to date.
During the month of December, New York-based clinicians also raised concerns over gambling addiction in the state, which initially legalized mobile sports betting in January 2022.
Sports wagering: Revenues
Despite the 11.1% yearly uptick in wagering handle, GGR generated by the state of New York in December 2024 fell by 22.4% year-over-year, settling at a figure of $150.4m. Similarly, when comparing the state’s latest figures month-over-month, the marginal 0.6% in wagering handle has been juxtaposed by a 42.5% decrease in GGR.
This therefore indicates a lucrative month for bettors in the state of New York centered around the Christmas period.
Sports wagering: Operator breakdown
This drop in statewide sports wagering revenue for December is further highlighted in the results from the state’s top operators. Indeed, leading the way in operator wagering handle during the month was FanDuel, who took $925.6m in wagers during December. Further, last month, the operator also bolstered its government relationships team with two new hires.
Trailing just behind was DraftKings, who took $731.9m. However, both operators saw declines in GGR generated both month-over-month and year-over-year.
For FanDuel, the reported figure of $70.6m in GGR represents a decline of 28% year-over-year and 36.95% moth-over-month. Moreover, DraftKings’ revenue figure $46.5m during December 2024 highlights a drop of 33.5% year-over-year and 77.1% month-over-month.
Casino figures: GGR & Tax
Elsewhere, the New York State Gaming Commission also released the state’s casino figures, displaying a GGR total of $54.96m for the month. This figure marks a decline of 3.5% in comparison to the month prior, alongside a drop of 1.9% year-over-year. Further, these figures also bring the state’s total GGR for the fiscal year so far up to $512.2m, with three months of figures still to come before the year’s end.
Regarding Gaming tax, New York’s figures hit $13.3m for December 2024, compared to the $13.5m posted from December 2023. Overall gaming tax for the year so far currently sits at $388.1m.
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Casino figures: Results by game
Slots dominated over table games during the month of December in New York, with $39.2m GGR being generated by slots & ETGs in the state, compared to a table game GGR of $15.1m. Year-over-year, these results display a 0.25% and 4.1% rise for slots and table games, respectively.
These figures bring slots & ETG’s GGR for the fiscal year so far up to $364.4m, and table game’s GGR up to $135.4m.
Casino figures: Operator’s results
Rivers Casino and Resort was the state’s highest revenue generator for the month, driving out $17.8m in revenue. Rivers was, however, very closely trailed by Resorts World Catskills, which generated $17.1m.