Strong Growth Amid Competitive Landscape
New York’s online sports betting market continues to prove its dominance. In April 2025, operators in the state collectively reported $192.7 million in gross gaming revenue (GGR), a 4.8% year-on-year increase compared to April 2024, according to official data released by the New York State Gaming Commission. Despite a slight slowdown from March’s figures, April marked the state’s second-best month of the year, only behind January’s peak.
Betting Handle Tops $2.15 Billion
In terms of the total amount wagered (known as the handle), New Yorkers staked approximately $2.15 billion in April. That’s a significant 9.6% jump from the $1.96 billion recorded in April 2024. However, it does represent a month-on-month decline of 11.8% compared to March 2025’s handle of $2.44 billion — a month typically boosted by events like March Madness.
The drop-off was expected following the end of major college basketball tournaments, but April’s numbers were still considered robust, supported by other events such as the NFL Draft, NBA playoffs, and early MLB season games.
Operator Margins See a Boost
Unlike March, where bettors had the upper hand during the college basketball tournaments, April turned out to be much friendlier for sportsbooks. Better margins meant operators could turn a healthier profit, contributing to the higher GGR numbers.
Analysts pointed out that when popular favorites lose — as happened during early NBA playoff rounds — sportsbooks generally enjoy stronger margins.
New York’s Position Remains Unchallenged
Since launching online betting in January 2022, New York has consistently been among the top U.S. states for sports betting revenue, alongside New Jersey and Nevada. Analysts predict that with major events like the NBA Finals and the 2026 World Cup qualifiers looming, the state could set new records later this year.
Conclusion
New York’s April betting figures once again demonstrate the state’s sustained appetite for legal sports wagering. With $192.7 million in revenue and a handle surpassing $2 billion, the Empire State is cementing its reputation as a titan of the American sports betting market.
Operators, however, will need to stay innovative to maintain momentum as the calendar shifts into the slower summer sports season.
