Sunflower State January sports betting action increased 26% compared to the first month of 2024, setting a new wagering record. The Kansas Lottery reported a $301.8 million monthly handle, surpassing Nov. 2024's $291 million previous high. The state's six online sportsbooks and four retail operators produced $28.2 million in gross revenue, the fourth-highest since sports betting launched in Sept. 2022.
Behind a solid run against bettors during the NFL playoffs, profits were also up 35% year-over-year despite January’s 9.3% hold only rising a little over half a point. After deductions, promotions, and carryover, adjusted revenue reached $16.1 million, a 12.7% year-over-year increase. Kansas filled its coffers with $1.6 million, nearly $183,000 more than Jan. 2024.
Better than December
January was a great start to the new year for Kansas sports betting operators after 2024 ended with a 5.8% hold on a $261.3 million December handle. 2025's first month produced 15.5% more wagered and an 85.3% month-over-month gross revenue boost. Promotional spending rose from $6.2 million in December to $9.9 million in January. It paid off as adjusted revenue jumped 84% month-over-month on a hold up by two points.
DraftKings stays hot
| Operator | January Handle | Revenue |
| DraftKings | $123.4 million | $12.3 million |
| FanDuel | $96.5 million | $10.4 million |
| BetMGM | $25.6 million | $1.8 million |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | $20.6 million | $1.1 million |
| Caesars | $13.6 million | $1.2 million |
| ESPN BET | $13.4 million | $832K |
Online Kansas sports betting accounted for $293.2 million of the total handle and $27.6 million of January’s gross revenue. DraftKings accepted more than $100 million in wagers for the fifth consecutive month and also led Kansas with $12.3 million in revenue, up more than $5 million from Dec. 2024.
FanDuel easily held down second with a $96.5 million handle, a 22% month-over-month increase. The online operator also produced $10.4 million from a 10.8% hold.
BetMGM remained in third for another month with $25.6 million in wagers while Fanatics Sportsbook generated a $20.6 million handle. Neither sportsbook had a win rate over 7%. Caesars narrowly beat out ESPN BET for fifth place in amount wagered while using an 8.9% hold to make more money than Fanatics.
Retail bounces back
A month after turning a loss, brick-and-mortar sportsbooks got back in the black during January. A 6% hold on an $8.6 million handle led to nearly $530,000 in gross revenue. After deductions and carryover, retail operators still hauled in $128,386 in income.
Kansas Crossing was the only sportsbook that failed to profit. Hollywood Casino reported the largest handle with $6.2 million wagered in-person.
