The Bay State set new sports betting records during a stellar first month of 2025. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission reported online and retail sportsbooks produced $96.4 million in gross revenue, the most since online wagering launched in Mar. 2023 and surpassed Nov. 2024’s previous highest haul by nearly $14 million.
The 12.6% hold on a $762.5 million handle was Massachusetts' highest hold ever and led to a 32.6% year-over-year increase in sports betting profits. The handle was down 17% year-over-year and ended a streak of four consecutive months with a record amount wagered.
The Bay State filled its coffers with $18.7 million from the whopping $94.4 million in adjusted revenue from Massachusetts sports betting.
Bouncing back
Despite January's handle falling 3.2% month-over-month, Massachusetts followed a similar turnaround many other U.S. markets experienced. Dec. 2024 was a rough month for operators. Those in the Bay State produced a 7.5% hold, better than many other states.
The January bounce back generated a 62.8% month-over-month revenue increase. Bettors took advantage of a strong run by NFL favorites in December, but operators enjoyed success from the NFL playoffs and the end of college football’s postseason.
DraftKings keeps streak intact
| Operator | January Handle | Revenue |
| DraftKings | $377.1 million | $52.7 million |
| FanDuel | $217.3 million | $29.3 million |
| BetMGM | $63.2 million | $5.6 million |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | $37.8 million | $3.6 million |
| ESPN BET | $28.4 million | $2.4 million |
| Caesars | $23 million | $1.3 million |
Seven online operators generated $751.6 million of the total handle and $95.4 million of the revenue. DraftKings led the way with its fifth consecutive monthly handle over $350 million, all during football season. January’s $377.1 million ranks third among that group while a 14% hold produced $52.7 million, nearly double December’s haul.
FanDuel recorded $217.3 million in wagers, down from the previous month’s $241.5 million, but gross revenue rose from $19.4 million to $29.3 million behind a 13.5% hold.
BetMGM’s $5.6 million in gross revenue from a $63.2 million handle was up from December’s $4.2 million haul. Fanatics went over $30 million in wagers and nearly turned a double-digit hold.
ESPN BET edged out Caesars for the fifth spot with a $28.4 million handle and doubled its revenue from the previous month. Caesars’ 5.4% hold was the only win rate to fall below 8%.
Two retail operators profit
Retail sportsbooks at three Massachusetts casinos combined to generate $11.1 million in wagers. Encore Boston Harbor accounted for $6.2 million of January’s brick-and-mortar handle and recorded an 8.5% hold. Plainridge Park enjoyed an 11.3% hold on a $3.7 million handle.
MGM Springfield, however, couldn't produce any taxable revenue for the second consecutive month and third time since Sept. 2024.
