Empire State sports betting operators felt the lack of college football games during the week ending Dec. 15.
With the NFL’s Week 15 to carry the bulk of the action, the nine online sportsbooks suffered a 12.8% week-over-week handle decrease. The New York Gaming Commission reported that $447.5 million was wagered in the latest week, marking the lowest handle since the week before the NFL season began.
It was the third handle to fall below $500 million in the last nine weeks. There were only two FBS college football games played: Army-Navy and the Veterans Bowl.
Revenue of $36.8 million in the week ending Dec. 16 was unchanged from the previous period. Fewer dollars wagered meant a rise in the hold, which went from 7.2% to 8.2% in the latest week.
Compared to 2023’s NFL Week 15, wagering fell 10.8% while revenue dipped 12%. With the College Football Playoff getting underway this weekend, the next report could be more like the high-level wagering the Empire State has seen this season.
FanDuel, DraftKings slip
FanDuel led all operators with a handle of $185.3 million, but that figure indicated a 13% dip from the previous week. The online operator made up for it with an increase in revenue, which increased from $16.7 million in the previous period to $20.1 million in the latest week.
DraftKings was second in handle with $142 million, but that was down 14% week-over-week and the fewest dollars generated in the entire football season. Revenue also fell more than $2.5 million to $10.1 million during the week ending Dec. 15.
Rest of the field
BetMGM placed third in New York sports betting with a handle of $37.1 million, hauling in just $1.2 million for the week. Meanwhile, Caesars and Fanatics both generated $31.3 million in wagers and a little over $2 million in revenue.
BetRivers held down its usual spot in seventh, producing a weekly handle under $10 million for the first time since the week ending Oct. 6. ESPN BET’s $6.9 million handle was its lowest in a full week of action since launching in New York in late September, but the online operator recorded its best revenue since late November.
