Arizona’s August Sports Betting Handle Approaches $500 Million

Michael Savio
By: Michael Savio
10/31/2024
Sports Betting
Arizona’s 2024 Sports Betting Handle Approaches $500 Million
Photo by Moondigger, CC BY-SA 2.5

Key Takeaways

  • Arizona reported a handle of $496 million in August
  • Tax revenue numbers have been up year-over-year every month in 2024
  • Arizona’s sports betting operator tax rate remains at 10%

The Copper State’s sports betting market continued to thrive in August.

The Arizona Department of Gaming has released August’s sports betting numbers, reporting a handle of $496 million. This number represents an increase of 38.4% compared to last year and a 21% increase compared to July. Mobile sports betting accounted for $473 million, once again accounting for most wagers.

Those numbers show the state’s industry continues to thrive heading into the NFL season.

More Tax Revenue for Arizona

Arizona has seen impressive tax revenue numbers in 2024, and August was no exception. The state will see $2.2 million for August, up from $2.1 million the previous year. While the increase is small, Arizona has surpassed its 2023 numbers each month this year.

The money generated from sports betting is being funneled into Arizona’s General Fund. This allows it to use that tax revenue for anything from infrastructure to education, helping residents across the state.

DraftKings Leads the Way in August

After trailing FanDuel for years, it appears DraftKings has closed the gap in the Copper State. The operator led all online sportsbooks in August with a handle of $170.3 million, with FanDuel finishing in second with $145.8 million. This continues a 2024 trend of DraftKings closing the cap on FanDuel each month.

Caesars was one of the most surprising sportsbooks to report a decline in August. That is a troubling sign for the operators' future, as they are losing customers to newcomer bet365.

Arizona Remains a Top Ten Market

The state’s strong August keeps it firmly entrenched as a top-ten market in the country. That is good news, as markets like Indiana, Virginia, Michigan, Tennessee, and Ohio are all starting to catch up.

One advantage the state has is its tax rate, which remains at 10%. States across the country have been raising tax rates on operators, making Arizona an attractive market for sportsbooks. Given the state’s population and many pro and college sports teams, we expect it to be one of the country’s top markets for years to come.

Michael Savio covers the US online casino industry, giving readers insights and information they won’t find anywhere else. He has followed the retail industry since his time living in Las Vegas and has continued to do so as the online industry has taken off. Michael covers everything from online casino reviews to industry news, making him one of the most trusted insiders in the business. Check out Michael’s latest articles at casinos.com to see what he has to offer!