The American Gaming Association (AGA) has published an update on sports betting figures during 2019, showing Nevada handle out in front at $5.3bn, followed by New Jersey with $4.6bn.
“With all states reporting their December numbers, America’s first full year of expanded legal sports betting is now in the books,” said the association. “And if the Super Bowl numbers pouring in this week are any indication, Americans have enthusiastically embraced their newfound ability to legally wager on sports outside Nevada.”
With the addition of the December figures, Americans legally wagered a record $13b in 2019 – nearly double 2018’s $6.6bn handle – generating $118m in state and local tax revenue.
Since PASPA’s overturn in May 2018, bettors have wagered more than $17bn nationwide, translating to $1.2bn in sportsbook revenue, as well as $152m in tax revenue to state and local governments.
From a total of 14 states now offering legal sports betting, 59% of money wagered in 2019 was bet outside of Nevada. The expansion of sports betting has not come at the expense of Nevada, however, as the Silver State posted a handle of $5.3 billion last year, an annual record of its own. In new (non-Nevada) markets, bettors wagered seven out of every 10 dollars online.
“With at least six more states, plus DC, set to become operational in 2020, we expect the nationwide handle to continue to rise, as more Americans than ever will finally have an alternative to the dangerous illegal market,” said the AGA.
You can keep track of the number of states with active sports betting bills (17), as well as regulations for each state with legal sports betting (20 + DC), using the AGA’s new interactive sports betting map.
2019 handles by state:
- Arkansas: $11 million
- Delaware: $103 million
- Indiana: $436 million
- Iowa: $212 million
- Mississippi: $369 million*
- Nevada: $5.3 billion
- New Hampshire: Sports betting launched 12/30/2019
- New Jersey: $4.6 billion
- New Mexico: N/A*
- New York: N/A*
- Oregon: $45 million*
- Pennsylvania: $1.5 billion
- Rhode Island: $246 million
- West Virginia: $226 million
*Handle from NY and tribal casinos in MS, NM, and OR is not publicly reported.
