Ohio Sports Bettors Wager Nearly $1 Billion in March 2025, But Operator Revenue Falters
In March 2025, Ohio sports bettors placed a record-shattering $991.9 million in wagers, marking the fourth-highest monthly handle in state history. However, despite the surge in betting activity, sportsbook revenue came in at just $66.5 million, due to a win rate of only 6.70%—the second-lowest ever recorded in Ohio.
This drop in operator hold wasn’t unique to the Buckeye State. Sportsbooks across the U.S. struggled with low win rates during March, largely attributed to a predictable NCAA basketball tournament. Favorites dominated March Madness 2025, especially in the later stages, which limited losses for bettors and resulted in higher-than-average payouts. In fact, all Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games were won by the higher-seeded teams, making the tournament unusually chalky, according to Stats Perform.
A broader look at state-reported betting data from March shows a nationwide trend favoring bettors, with sportsbooks taking a financial hit from the lack of bracket-busting upsets.
FanDuel Regains Lead in Ohio
FanDuel reclaimed its position as the top online sportsbook in Ohio during March, overtaking DraftKings after slipping to second place the previous month. Since the launch of legal sports wagering in the state in January 2023, FanDuel and DraftKings have consistently vied for the No. 1 spot, together capturing around two-thirds of Ohio’s online sports betting market.
Trailing the leaders, bet365 and BetMGM held steady at third and fourth respectively, while Fanatics Sportsbook reinforced its status as a rising competitor by holding onto fifth place. Since breaking into the top five in August 2024, Fanatics has gained ground and recently outpaced both Caesars and ESPN Bet.
Year-Over-Year Handle Grows Nearly $200 Million
Compared to March 2024, Ohio posted a substantial year-over-year increase in sports betting activity. The total handle rose by $182.6 million—from $809.3 million to $992 million. This growth demonstrates the continued expansion and maturity of the Ohio sports betting market.
Despite the increase in bets, gross gaming revenue only inched up, climbing from $63.8 million in March 2024 to $66.5 million this March—a modest gain due to the aforementioned dip in win rate, which fell from 7.89% to 6.70%. In other words, while sportsbooks handled more money, they retained a smaller slice of it.
Online Betting Dominates
Another shift noted in the March data was Ohio’s growing preference for mobile betting. Retail sportsbooks accounted for just 2% of the total handle, down from 2.9% in March 2024. This continues the trend of bettors favoring the convenience of digital platforms over brick-and-mortar locations.
Despite the narrow increase in revenue, tax contributions from sports betting rose slightly as well. Ohio collected $13.3 million in wagering taxes for March—up from $12.8 million the previous year—mirroring the modest boost in sportsbook earnings.
Conclusion: Bettors Thrive While Market Grows
The latest figures confirm two key takeaways for Ohio’s sports betting landscape: the number of active bettors continues to climb, and mobile platforms remain the preferred method of wagering. Even though sportsbooks faced a challenging month in terms of profitability due to lower hold rates, the near-billion-dollar handle highlights a thriving and increasingly competitive market.
- SCCG Management. The Gambling Industry’s Global Connector. Access Here.
- Source: SCCGManagement.com