Regulated sports betting operators in New York recorded their busiest June ever, buoyed by two major sporting events that sparked local interest. The total betting handle reached $2.26 billion, marking a 36% increase from the previous June and setting a same-month record. However, revenue fell 44% to $117 million, largely due to the successful performances of both the U.S. Still, men’s National Team in the FIFA World Cup and the New York Knicks. According to a report released by the NYS Gaming Commission on Friday, the combined hold for June was just 5.2%—an all-time low for the state’s sportsbooks.
In This News
World Cup Lifts June Betting Activity
The World Cup boosted U.S. sports betting activity in June, with most markets reporting a year-over-year handle growth of 10%-30%. Limited data from Maryland revealed that soccer accounted for 12% of the month’s straight handle there, potentially indicating the World Cup’s impact on New York’s increase. In Montana, soccer represented nearly 30% of June’s total handle. However, these numbers don’t account for the major influence of parlays—now a staple in modernized sports betting markets. The New York Knicks’ NBA Finals appearance further fueled betting interest in the state, delivering a spike in handle that exceeded typical expectations by over 30 percentage points. Yet, the earnings lagged behind monthly averages because of these events.
BetMGM and Fanatics Battle for Market Position
FanDuel continues to reign as the top operator in the New York market, but DraftKings is gradually closing in. In June, the revenue gap between the two leaders was less than $1 million, with both sporting a 5.3% hold on handle for the month. Meanwhile, BetMGM reclaimed its third-place spot over Fanatics in the revenue race for the first time in over a year. Although Fanatics has generally edged out BetMGM recently by using local success, the competition remains fierce. The disparity between the leading two operators and those vying for third is still substantial.
Mid-Year Performance and Future Projections
The June report completes a tepid first half of 2026 for New York sports betting. From January to June, operators saw a $13.3 billion total handle—a modest 3% rise over the same period last year. Despite promising revenue margins through May, June’s dip dragged H1 revenue to $1.21 billion, down around 3% from H1 2025. Industry modeling projects New York could still hit a record $27.8 billion in handle by year-end, translating to a potential revenue of at least $2.6 billion. The next major milestone will come in early Q4, when the NYS Gaming Commission reviews potential amendments to sports betting regulations.
Marcus Chen brings a quantitative approach to poker strategy and sports betting analysis. With a background in data analytics and over eight years covering professional poker circuits, his articles combine statistical insights with practical advice for serious players looking to sharpen their edge at the table.
