Massachusetts ends 2025 with new sports betting revenue record
Massachusetts’ gambling revenue continued to rise throughout the year 2025, with the state’s sports betting sector performing at its strongest in December and setting new a fresh revenue record.
While some US states remain indecisive about legalizing sports betting, Massachusetts introduced legal and regulated operators in 2022. The state fostered a supportive environment for the rising industry by cooperating with both tribal and commercial operators and allowing both physical and online platforms.
The state’s flexible model has helped drive the growth of sports betting in Massachusetts, and that growth is increasingly showing its value.
Massachusetts sports betting peaks in December 2025 despite fewer wagers placed
The Massachusetts sports betting handle in December was an impressive $845.2 million, thought that was the lowest total since September three months prior. The state’s gross gaming revenue, however, was the highest ever recorded despite that significant drop in the handle.
December’s GGR was $98.4 million, which is 3.8% more than November and 7.2% more than the same month in the previous year. This record was possible because the statewide hold rate was approximately 11.7%, the highest for the year.
A player using a mobile sports betting platform.
The sports betting handle was consistently increasing in the months leading up to December, but this dip isn’t necessarily surprising. Betting activities in December are typically lower, as they are affected by seasonal wagering trends. NFL playoffs and college football drive the handle up significantly, but these events see less activity at the end of the year with fewer games available to bet on.
Operators retaining more revenues was made possible because the majority of the wagering was done using online betting sites and platforms. Fewer related expenses and tighter odds allow these online sportsbooks to keep more revenue compared to in-person casinos. Only 1.4% of wagers were placed in-person, highlighting the stark contrast between the two mediums in the state of Massachusetts.
DraftKings has been leading the sports betting operators in Massachusetts, and has retained its position by generating $53.4 million in taxable revenue from $447.5 million in bets. FanDuel lagged behind with $25.6 million from a $202.2 million handle. Fanatics was in third place with $8.3 million in revenue off $79.2 million wagered.
Massachusetts collected a record $19.6 million in taxes from the sports betting sector.
While the state noted a record growth in sports wagering, other gambling sectors didn’t fare so well. The land-based casino industry has reported a decline, with the state’s three licensed land-based casinos generating $97.9 million in December. This figure was 4.5% lower than in November, but pushed Massachusetts’ total tax generated from sports betting and casinos to $47.5 million in December.
Massachusetts lawmakers push for sports betting bill to limit wagers, increase tax
Senate Bill 302 is backed by critics of sports betting who continue to protest despite the dramatic revenues taken in by the state. The bill proposes a sharp increase in sports betting taxes from 20% to 51%, which is a major point of contention, as analysts warn that such a rise could hold back online betting progress. Operators would face other limitations as well, as the bill would ban in-play and prop bets, dramatically affecting how current VIP systems work.
Senate Bill 302 would introduce financial “affordability checks” and limit bets to $1,000 per day, or $10,000 per month. Large bets exceeding 15% of a player’s bank account balance might be disallowed without these checks, and this would increase the work required of sports betting operators, as they would need to check for compliance.
It’s important to note however that the bill hasn’t progressed to a vote, and a similar measure failed to gain any meaningful traction when introduced last year. The state of Massachusetts seems more than content to continue benefiting from the gains that record sports betting revenues have introduced.
Feature image credit: Canva
Khizar Mundia has been playing video games for as long as he can recall. Things have come a long way since the many days he spent playing the original NES, though. He now covers a variety of competitive games and esports, as well as the world of streaming, ranging from Twitch to Kick. If it’s of interest to gamers, it’s of interest to Khizar.
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