Ohio Sports Betting Hits Record Handle in November

The sports betting market in Ohio blew up in November 2025, and it has online activity to thank for it. While big names like FanDuel and DraftKings pulled away from smaller competitors, brick-and-mortar sportsbooks continued to fade.

Sports Betting Revenue Up 35.5% 

The Buckeye State reported $133 million in sports betting revenue, marking an important 35.5% increase from October 2025, and turning November into the second-highest month since the official launch of legal wagering in January 2023. 

Official numbers paint the picture of particularly busy bettors who laid down more than $1.15 billion, breaking October’s previous handle record of $1.13 billion. Of the revenue, digital platforms accounted for $131.2 million while retail locations brought in just $1.8 million, further emphasizing the gap between the two.

FanDuel stood firm on its leading position with $55.4 million in online revenue, followed by DraftKings at $39.3 million. BetMGM trailed far behind with $9 million. 

Throughout the year, FanDuel held 43.4% of the state’s online revenue while DraftKings reached 28.4%, forcing smaller operators to struggle to stay relevant. 

Retail sportsbooks, meanwhile, kept losing their attractiveness for bettors, only attracting $11.7 million compared to $890.1 million online in the first 11 months of 2025. Plus, several locations posted repeated losses.

Not Everyone Is Happy

The November spike coincided with peak NFL and NBA action as well as $33 million in promotional spending. However, the market’s fast growth has drawn regulatory scrutiny. 

Governor Mike DeWine has expressed regret over legalizing sports betting, mentioning concerns about aggressive marketing techniques and integrity problems following two investigations into suspicious betting activity involving Cleveland Guardians pitchers. 

In response, regulators have restricted certain player prop bets and warned operators against offering prediction-market style contracts.

Up next, operators are bracing for more changes to tax rules for promotional credits, which will become partially deductible starting in 2027, increasing to 20% by 2032. 

The adjustment could benefit well-capitalized operators, reinforcing the growing dominance of the top online platforms. 

With NFL playoffs and college football bowl games ahead, December is expected to maintain elevated activity, cementing Ohio’s position as one of the fastest-growing betting markets in the US.