Massachusetts Sports Wagering Overtakes Traditional Gaming in December
Massachusetts closed December with an unprecedented contribution from sports wagering even as traditional casino play softened, underscoring a structural shift in the state’s gaming economy.
Key Takeaways:
- Sports wagering revenue hits record $98.5 million, surpassing traditional casino earnings
- Online platforms dominate with over 98% of wagers, led by DraftKings and FanDuel
- Land-based gaming declines slightly, but tax contributions increasingly rely on sports betting sector
Sports Wagering Revenue Drives December Tax Gains
According to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, adjusted gross sports betting revenue reached about $98.5 million for the month, producing a record $19.6 million in tax receipts for the commonwealth.
The December 2025 revenue report stated that sportsbooks accepted $845.3 million in wagers and that online platforms accounted for more than 98% of activity.
Market concentration remained pronounced. DraftKings led the online field with $53.4 million in taxable revenue off a $447.5 million handle, followed by FanDuel at $25.6 million and Fanatics in third place, with BetMGM, Caesars, theScore Bet and Bally Bet holding smaller shares, per iGaming Business.
Retail books contributed only a fraction of totals, with Encore Boston Harbor the largest land-based performer. Industry analysts cited stronger hold rates as the reason revenues edged higher even though monthly handle fell short of November’s peak.
Traditional Casino Performance Softens
Land-based gaming showed modest contraction compared to sports wagering numbers. The three commercial casinos combined generated roughly $97.9 million in gross gaming revenue, down about 4.5% year on year, driven by softer slot and table results, per World Casino Directory. The decline was led by weaker table game performance, a trend that has weighed on Massachusetts casino revenues in recent months as visitation patterns and player spend shift.
When combined with sportsbook taxes, the state’s gaming sector delivered approximately $47.5 million in gaming-related taxes for December, reinforcing the growing fiscal reliance on sports wagering as a driver of Massachusetts’ gaming receipts.
