Sports betting revenue in Arizona fell 28.9% year-on-year in December despite the Grand Canyon State reporting an increase in customer spending to a near-record total.
Monthly handle across both online and retail wagering in Arizona hit $849.3 million (£655.5 million/€778.3 million). This is 20.2% more than December 2023 and the second-highest monthly amount on record, 5.4% less than November 2024.
Figures from the Arizona Department of Gaming show players ventured $844.3 million betting on sports online in the last month of the year. The remaining $5.1 million was wagered at retail sportsbooks.
Turning to revenue, adjusted gross event wagering receipts before free bet deductions were $49.3 million. This fell short of $69.3 million in 2023 and was also 41.4% behind November’s record $84.1 million haul.
Breaking this down, $49.3 million of revenue came from online wagers, with just $45,000 from retail.
Some $23.5 million was deducted in free bets and other promotions. As such, adjusted gross event wagering receipts after this was $25.8 million, down 44.2% year-on-year and 55.1% behind November.
The sportsbooks’ hold, based on revenue before free bet deductions, was 5.8%. After the impact of free bets, monthly hold was 2.77%.
Players won back $798.2 million of what they risked on sports betting, while Arizona’s tax income hit $2.6 million. Almost all tax revenue came from online betting, with the retail sector contributing just $3,600.
FanDuel continues to lead in Arizona
Looking at operators, Flutter Entertainment-owned FanDuel remains the operator to beat in Arizona. During December, it took $20.7 million in revenue – all online – off $276.2 million in bets for an 8.41% hold. This is based on adjusted gross event wagering receipts before free bet deductions.
DraftKings was again second, posting $16.3 million off $275.6 million for a 5.91% monthly hold.
BetMGM rounded out the top three with $3.9 million in revenue from a $112.3 million handle, meaning a 3.47% hold. Incidentally, BetMGM was the only operator to report any retail revenue in December, despite several brands – including both FanDuel and DraftKings – taking bets at retail sportsbooks.
Fanatics reported $2 million in revenue off a $43.2 million handle for a hold of 4.6%. Narrowly behind was Caesars with $2 million from $47.6 million, meaning a 4.2% hold.
Bet365 was the only other operator to post more than $1 million in betting revenue during December. Its total revenue was $1.8 million and handle $40.1 million, resulting in a monthly hold of 4.49%.
