Massachusetts Sets New Record for Sports Betting in December

Massachusetts continues its streak of record-breaking months in the sports betting industry, with December seeing a total handle of $658.7 million, surpassing the previous record set in November. The state, which launched legal betting in March 2023, has been experiencing a surge in player activity, both online and at retail sportsbooks.

In December, players in Massachusetts wagered a staggering $643.2 million online and $15.5 million at retail sportsbooks, totalling $658.7 million. This represents a narrow victory over the previous record of $654.4 million set in November. The rise in sports betting activity has contributed to an overall increase in combined sports betting and casino revenue in the state, reaching $163.6 million in December, a 14.4% surge from the previous month.

When it comes to online sports betting, DraftKings remains the clear leader in Massachusetts. The operator generated $29.9 million in revenue from $316.9 million in online bets during December. FanDuel, owned by Flutter Entertainment, secured the second position, reporting $19.3 million in revenue from a handle of $187.4 million. BetMGM followed in third place, with revenue of $3.1 million from total online wagers amounting to $39.2 million.

While online betting dominates the market, retail sportsbooks still attract players in Massachusetts. Revenue from retail sportsbooks reached $1.3 million in December, with Plainridge Park Casino leading the way with $534,411 in revenue from a $7.2 million handle. Encore Boston Harbor followed closely with $499,411 off $6.4 million in bets, and MGM Springfield reported $259,588 from $1.9 million in wagers.

In addition to sports betting, the casino market in Massachusetts also experienced growth in December. Revenue from land-based venues amounted to $103.0 million, a 9.6% increase from the previous month. The revenue breakdown includes $68.7 million from slots and $34.3 million from table games.

Encore Boston Harbor claimed the top spot in the casino market, reporting a total revenue of $65.8 million. This figure comprises $36.2 million from slots and $29.7 million from table games. MGM Springfield secured the second position with $23.6 million in revenue, with $19.0 million from slots and $4.6 million from table games. Plainridge Park Casino followed in third place with $13.6 million in revenue, solely from slot games.

Massachusetts collected $12.0 million in sports betting tax and an additional $29.0 million in casino tax, bringing the total tax revenue for the month to $41.1 million. The growth in the sports betting and casino industries not only provides entertainment options for residents but also contributes to the state’s economy through tax revenue and job creation.