New York sports betting handle tops $2.4 billion in September

New York sports bettors risked more than $2.4 billion in September 2026, marking a 5% gain on September 2025, an increase of nearly $114 million in wagers, the New York State Gaming Commission reports.

Through September 2026, sports betting volume in New York is 3.7% higher than a year ago, with bettors staking roughly $697 million more than they did a year ago.

Fiscal year handle rises despite revenue decline

Over the first six months of New York’s 2026/2027 fiscal year starting in April, sports betting handle reached nearly $12.6 billion, marking a 6.9% increase over the same period in 2025.

Sportsbook revenue in New York declined 5.8% to $1.1 billion over the past six months, with the hold easing from 10% to 8.8%.

New York is the largest sports betting state among the 39 states that have legal sports gambling.

Other major markets show mixed results

In Illinois, the second-largest sports betting state, online handle on professional and college sports through August 2026 totaled $9.3 billion, marking a 5.7% increase from 2025 when bets totaled $8.8 billion.

In New Jersey, sports betting handle is down 4.1% through September 2026, with bets declining from $8.6 billion to $8.3 billion.

Industry group raises prediction market concerns

The American Gaming Association maintains that prediction market platforms are offering illegal sports betting nationwide outside state and tribal regulatory frameworks that protect consumers.

A running ticker on the group’s website shows projected lost state gaming tax revenue nearing $1.6 billion since prediction markets began offering back-door sports betting in late 2025.

Prediction markets reject that they offer gambling, arguing that traders aren’t betting against the house but other traders.