Ohio’s sports betting market grew substantially year-over-year in September while the year-to-date handle reached $6 billion.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission reported a monthly handle of $864.3 million during the first full month of football season. The amount wagered at online and retail sportsbooks rose 25% compared to September 2023 and was the third-highest handle since wagering went live in January 2023.
The gross revenue in September also jumped 30% year-over-year to $106.2 million, joining January as the only two months in 2024 to reach $100 million in profit. Online operators spent a combined $47.7 million on promotional bets.
The 12.3% hold for sports betting operators was up nearly a half point year-over-year and more than three points higher than August. With the NFL and college football in full swing, September’s hold jumped 57.5% while revenue increased a whopping 117.7% from August’s few days of college football and the entire NFL preseason.
Tax revenue rises
The Buckeye State filled its coffers with $21.3 million in September. That’s more than double August’s $9.8 million and nearly $5 million more year-over-year.
Ohio surpassed $125 million in tax revenue for 2024, and the $129.8 million is up 50.4% from this time last year.
Majority hits double digits
| Operator | September Handle | Gross Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | $308.7 million | $37.5 million |
| FanDuel | $276 million | $39.1 million |
| bet365 | $68 million | $7.6 million |
| BetMGM | $52.4 million | $5.6 million |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | $35.6 million | $3.6 million |
| Caesars | $29.2 million | $2.6 million |
Online sports betting accounted for $842.4 million of Ohio’s total handle and nearly $103 million of the September revenue. Nine of the 14 sportsbooks recorded double-digit holds for the month.
DraftKings led all mobile operators with a $308.7 million handle while FanDuel finished second at $276 million. FanDuel enjoyed a higher hold, winning 14.2% of wagers to produce a state-best $39.1 million. Behind a 12.1% hold, DraftKings reached $37.5 million, more than double August’s haul.
bet365 took home third place with a $68 million handle while BetMGM was the only other operator over $50 million.
Fanatics Sportsbook finished with $35.6 million in wagers while Caesars took in $29.2 million, about $500,000 more than ESPN BET. Hard Rock Bet and Prime Sports also reached $10 million in handle during September.
New to the mix
Betr completed its first full month of operating a traditional sportsbook in the Buckeye State. After generating $179,546 during its soft launch in late August, Betr took in $614,496 in September, finishing 12th in Ohio ahead of only betPARX and Betly.
Adjusted revenue for the newcomer that’s been primarily a microbetting and DFS operator fell nearly $10,000 shy of $100,000.
The crowded sports betting state will have more company soon as Prague-based sportsbook Oddin.gg recently received a sports betting license from the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
