Maine Sets Record With Impressive September Handle

Michael Savio
By: Michael Savio
10/10/2024
Sports Betting
Maine Sets Record With Impressive September Handle
Photo by Dennis Sylvester Hurd, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Key Takeaways

  • Maine saw a 45% increase in handle compared to August
  • DraftKings had $46 million in wagers for the month
  • Caesars saw its handle go down compared to August

The Pine Tree State just had its busiest month of sports betting.

Maine has reported a $51 million handle for the month, the highest since the industry launched in November 2023. That number represents a 45% increase compared to August as the sports season begins to heat up. Revenue for the month also almost doubled, going from $3.5 million in August to $6.5 million last month.

The impressive month resulted in over $600,000 in tax revenue for the state.

Football Season Provides Massive Boost

Maine’s historic numbers result from the NFL and college football seasons, which have kicked off. Those two leagues dominate the sports betting market across the US, and Maine is no exception. The state launched sports betting after the season was almost over, making this the first time it was live for the opening month.

While Maine does not have an NFL team, the New England Patriots have a massive fanbase in the market. 

DraftKings Dominates Maine Market

Unsurprisingly, DraftKings dominated once again in September. The operator had a handle of $46 million, which is a record high for the operator in Maine. The state had not seen over $39 million in wagers since launch.

Caesars, the state's only other sports betting operator, had a handle of just $5.1 million. While that number is underwhelming, it did see customers lose far more bets, leading to more revenue.

Stunningly, Caesars saw its handle drop compared to August. The summer months are the slowest time for sports betting, but September represents one of the biggest. With the MLB season winding down and the NFL kicking off, a drop in handle should be near impossible.

Caesars Launches Main’s First Retail Sportsbook

While Caesars had a surprisingly poor handle for September, the news wasn’t all bad.

Caesars launched the state’s first retail sportsbook in Portland in mid-September. The operator has partnered with First Tracks Investment to launch Oddfellahs Sportsbook. The sportsbook managed $158,000 in wagers in a shortened month.

Caesars has been unable to compete with DraftKings and FanDuel in the online market, but the Las Vegas-based operator is doing well in retail. Its launch in Maine comes soon after it was awarded sole control of betting kiosks in Washington, D.C. 

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!