Pennsylvania's regulated sports betting market just closed the books on one of its best months ever. New figures released by the state's gaming regulator show a strong bounce back after a sluggish June, with people using Pennsylvania sports betting wagering more money than in any July in state history. Operators pulled in $64.8 million in revenue on that record handle, giving the state its best July on record for both wagering volume and tax collections.
The July Numbers, In Context
Pennsylvania sportsbooks took in a total handle of $509.5 million in July 2026, the largest July total the state has ever recorded. That volume translated into $64.8 million in gross revenue for operators, a sharp turnaround from June, when the market saw a bigger handle of $570.3 million but only $48 million in revenue. The gap came down to hold. Operators kept just 8.4 percent of what was wagered in June, largely because World Cup soccer betting chewed into their margins. In July, with the World Cup in the rearview mirror, hold rates normalized and operators pocketed a much healthier share of the action. The state collected $17.6 million in sports betting taxes from operators, plus another $1 million for the local share assessment, bringing total sports betting tax revenue to $18.66 million for the month, according to figures released by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
Revenue Breakdown: Who Drove the Money
FanDuel led the pack in July, posting a 15.3 percent hold that generated more than $25 million in gross revenue, up close to $7 million from June and about $5 million higher than a year earlier. DraftKings wasn't far behind, winning back 11.8 percent on a $163.8 million handle in what was its most profitable month since April. Fanatics turned in a strong showing as well, holding over 11 percent and winning $3.9 million on more than $35 million wagered. BetMGM posted a 12.5 percent win rate, edging out both Fanatics and bet365, the latter of which won back 11.5 percent of a $32.2 million handle. On the retail side, smaller counters at properties like Wind Creek and the Live! casinos combined for less than $6.6 million in handle, a reminder that mobile wagering continues to dominate the Pennsylvania market.
This Year Versus Last Year
The year-over-year comparison shows just how much the market has grown. July's $509.5 million handle came in 23.5 percent higher than the $412.5 million wagered in July 2025. Revenue climbed even faster, with the $64.8 million in operator winnings marking a substantial jump from the prior year. Tax collections told the same story, with July setting a record for the month at $17.6 million to the state, well ahead of what Pennsylvania brought in during July 2025. The growth also builds on a record fiscal year, with sports wagering revenue across the 2025/26 fiscal year surging 36 percent to $662.9 million statewide.
What Comes Next
July marked the opening month of Pennsylvania's 2026/27 fiscal year, and the timing lines up well for continued growth. Football season is right around the corner, historically the busiest stretch of the year for Pennsylvania sports betting apps, and the NHL season will soon add another steady stream of betting action once football winds down. With handle and revenue both trending upward and margins back to normal, Pennsylvania's sportsbooks look positioned for a strong finish to 2026.
