Gross sports betting revenue in Arizona hit a new monthly high in December, despite handle declining month-on-month.
December gross revenue in Arizona amounted to $66.1m (£52.1m/€60.9m). This was up 22.1% from $54.4m in the previous year and also 62.4% ahead of November’s total.
Of this total, $65.2m came from online betting and $625,986 retail sportsbooks. A further $240,604 was generated by limited event wagering (LEW) operators.
This came off the back of $693.3m in total wagers placed during the month. Total player spend was 21.1% ahead of December 2022 but behind the record $713.6m wagered in November.
Online spend amounted to $685.1m, retail sportsbooks $6.4m and LEW operators $1.8m.
A total of $17.8m in free bets and promotional credits were noted in December. Almost all of this came from online betting.
As such, adjusted gross sports betting revenue for the month amounted to $48.3m, another new record. This was 30.3% higher than December 2022 and 139.4% more than $20.3m in November.
Online betting accounted for $47.5m of adjusted revenue, with retail’s share at $621,286. An additional $240,604 came from LEW operators.
In terms of tax in Arizona, this amounted to $4.8m for December. This includes $4.7m from online activity, $49,703 retail and $19,248 LEW.
FanDuel leads in online market in Arizona
Looking at individual operators, FanDuel was the online market leader by some distance in December. For the month, it posted $23.7m in adjusted revenue from $236.3m in total wagers.
DraftKings and Crown Gaming placed second with $13.8m from $228.5m, then BetMGM on $6.1m off an $82.7m handle.
In terms of retail, which only features two operators, DraftKings and Crown Gaming took top spot. The partnership heralded $361,037 in adjusted revenue from $2.7m in bets.
FanDuel, the only other operator active here, posted adjusted revenue of $260,248 from $2.1m in wagers.
As for AEW operators, Turf Paradise led with $106,248 in revenue from $822,412.
Bet365 enters the market
The latest results come as it was revealed this month that Bet365 has launched online sports betting in Arizona. The operator went live through a partnership with the Ak-Chin Indian community.
Players in Arizona can now place pre-event and in-game wagers across a range of sports with Bet365. Additional offerings available to players in the Grand Canyon State include same game parlay, cash out and edit bet.
The launch extends its reach in the US to a ninth state. It is also active in Kentucky, Louisiana, Virginia, Ohio, New Jersey, Iowa, Colorado and Indiana.