Online sports betting operators in the most lucrative U.S. market enjoyed an 11.7% hold during the first week of the NFL preseason.
Key Takeaways
- New York sportsbooks won over $44 million despite the handle staying below $400 million again.
- FanDuel produced a hold well above the state average.
- BetMGM continued its hot streak against bettors.
The New York State Gaming Commission reported on Thursday that mobile sportsbooks generated $44.5 million in gross revenue, a 21% week-over-week increase, from a $380.8 million handle during the week ending Aug. 16.
The double-digit hold ended a stretch of three consecutive weeks of win rates below 10%. It was the fifth consecutive week with a handle under $400 million.
Dollars wagered during a week highlighted by a full slate of NFL preseason and a heavy MLB slate dipped 17% compared to the same week in 2025, which was highlighted by a single bettor accounting for $119 million in bets through Fanatics.
Revenue was up over $11 million from that outlier week and went over $40 million in a single period for the sixth time in the last nine weeks.
Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account
Leading the way
DraftKings generated the state’s largest handle for the week ending Aug. 16, reaching $128.3 million in wagers, its highest since the week of the World Cup Final. The operator’s 10.7% win rate fell below the state average, but DraftKings still hauled in $14.9 million.
FanDuel produced an impressive 12.9% hold on a $128.3 million handle to generate a state-best $16.6 million profit, $2.5 million more than the previous week. New York’s most lucrative operator has cleared $15 million or more in revenue in six of the last nine weeks.
BetMGM stays hot
Four of New York’s other six online sportsbooks produced double-digit holds, including two above the state average. BetMGM had a massive week, winning back 15.2% of a $26.2 million handle a week after producing a 13.8% win rate.
BetRivers kept 12.2% of an $8.5 million handle, while Caesars generated an 11.2% hold on a handle that matched BetMGM, and theScore Bet won back 10.4% on $5.7 million in wagers. Fanatics was close, winning back 9.9% on a $43.6 million handle. Bally Bet had the worst week, keeping just 5.8% of $2.4 million in bets.
