The Illinois sports betting market joined in on a record-setting September, notching its own monthly handle high while helping push nationwide handle to new heights.
The recently released state report from the Illinois Gaming Board shows bettors staked $1.078 billion in September, the most in Illinois sports betting history.
September marked the sixth time monthly handle eclipsed the $1 billion mark and bested the previous high-water mark set in January 2023 at $1.070 billion.
The record could be short-lived, though. September had just three NFL betting Sundays compared to five in October.
Illinois sports betting helps set mark
Illinois’ record-setting handle pushed US sports betting to a new milestone in September.
Bettors across the country staked $11.55 billion, absent Kentucky, which has not published monthly financials since launching its sports betting market in early September.
Nationwide monthly handle surpassed $11 billion three times post-PASPA, all coming this year. In March, bettors put down $11.26 billion, and in January, the previous record high, handle reached $11.47 billion.
Other sports betting records fall in September
In September, sports betting in Illinois joined a few larger markets in setting some new records:
- New Jersey sports betting apps accepted $1.25 billion in September bets, the most bet online in a single month.
- New York sportsbooks posted record-high revenue in September, generating $165.6 million.
Illinois sports betting September rank
New York, New Jersey, and Illinois often hold the top three spots in monthly handle nationwide. September was no different:
- New York: $1.767 billion
- New Jersey: $1.299 billion
- Illinois: $1.078 billion
- Nevada: $811.4 million
- Pennsylvania: $726.3 million
IL sports betting momentum continues
DraftKings continued to build on its market momentum in September, claiming the most handle for the fourth consecutive month.
The bookmaker secured 38% of Illinois sports betting handle in September with $409.9 million.
DraftKings has taken in 35%-39% of Illinois handle each month since June.
Revenue boost for DraftKings
DraftKings produced $35.3 million in monthly revenue, which includes $4.2 million in unsettled future wagers.
The total was good for a 35% share and second most in the market.
DraftKings increased monthly revenue by 84% after clearing $19.2 million in September 2022.
FanDuel maintains revenue lead
With $355.3 million in bets for FanDuel, the two market leaders combined for 71% of handle in September.
FanDuel increased handle year-over-year by more than 47% after accepting $240.9 million in September bets last year.
FanDuel produced the most revenue again in September at $38.3 million, making up 38% of the market. The total, which includes $5.6 million in future bets, was mostly flat compared to last year’s $38.2 million.
Circa enters market in September
Circa Sports entered the IL sports betting market near the end of September.
In three days of wagering to close the month, it accepted nearly $261,500 of online and in-person bets.
It is the fourth market where Circa is live, joining Nevada, Colorado, and Iowa.
IL sports betting by the numbers
September’s record-high handle was 30% more than the same month last year when Illinois sports betting handle topped $831.8 million.
Sportsbooks combined for $99.8 million in September revenue, which includes $13.6 million in unsettled futures. The state collected $13.9 million in monthly sports betting taxes.
