In July, we saw DraftKings usurp FanDuel for the top spot for monthly volume in the Ohio sports betting market. That did not change in August, in what was a pivotal time with the lead-up to football season.
According to numbers released by the Ohio Casino Control Commission, DraftKings handled over $133.8 million in sports bets in August, widening its lead over FanDuel, which took in over $115.8 million worth of wagers. That’s an advantage of $18 million. DraftKings beat out FanDuel by less than $10 million in July.
Following January’s launch of Ohio online sports betting, FanDuel had the highest monthly handle in each of the first six months. However, DraftKings has taken the throne over the past two months in The Buckeye State.
What does this trend mean for the most important season on the sports betting calendar?
$364 million in bets made through Ohio online sports betting
Following a slow summer period, things have begun to ramp up in the Ohio sports betting market.
According to the report on August OH sports betting revenue, bettors wagered $364.3 million with online operators. That’s a nearly $45 million uptick from July’s revenue numbers of $319.5 million. Operators generated $39.3 million in taxable sports wagering revenue from the August handle.
Since legal sports wagering launched earlier this year, Ohio online and retail sportsbooks have handled over $4.5 billion in bets while recording $617.3 million in taxable gaming revenue.
The lull in summer sports betting activity is something every market experiences. Ohio will also benefit from the dramatic jump that is coming, thanks to the start of the NFL and college football seasons.
A new report from geolocation firm GeoComply shows just how many people were making bets in Ohio during the first week of NFL action. The report shows 19.4 million Week 1 geolocation checks across GeoComply’s sportsbook customers in Ohio between Sept. 3 and Sept. 10.
Furthermore, around 133,000 new sports betting accounts were created in Ohio during that time frame, likely taking advantage of the best Ohio sportsbook promos that operators dole out at the start of the NFL season.
Has DraftKings taken the top spot in Ohio for good?
DraftKings Sportsbook Ohio is now firmly seated at the head of the table at the Ohio sports betting dinner.
FanDuel Sportsbook Ohio has moved over a spot and is now watching its No. 1 competitor gobble up the market.
| 📱 Sportsbook | 💰 August Handle |
|---|---|
| DraftKings | $133,849,655 |
| FanDuel | $115,840,780 |
| Bet365 | $27,584,679 |
| BetMGM | $26,478,086 |
| Caesars | $17,928,884 |
| Barstool | $12,495,311 |
| Fanatics | $6,855,407 |
| Hard Rock | $5,645,734 |
| Tipico | $4,638,336 |
| PointsBet | $3,516,137 |
| betJACK | $2,572,098 |
| BetRivers | $2,493,787 |
| Betfred | $1,982,786 |
| betPARX | $575,806 |
| MVGBet | $539,947 |
| SuperBook | $496,566 |
| Betr | $457,095 |
| Betway | $373,078 |
| Bally's | $8,726 |
Is there room for FanDuel to regain the lead?
The simple answer is yes. FanDuel is still sitting at the top in terms of both lifetime handle and revenue in Ohio. The start of NFL and college football in September can also be a huge help. FanDuel can easily make up ground with the massive boost that football brings to sports betting operators.
Meanwhile, Bet365 Sportsbook Ohio is still holding on to the third spot after another strong showing in August. The European betting giant took over the No. 3 slot in Ohio’s sports wagering market in June and has not looked back. Typically, both BetMGM Sportsbook Ohio and Caesars Sportsbook Ohio are battling for that position.
Barstool Sportsbook is in the sixth position, which is very good placement ahead of the transition to ESPN Bet.
Also, Fanatics had an excellent month, bringing in the seventh-most handle in Ohio. Remember, Fanatics Sportsbook Ohio only went live on Aug. 16. This means the operator reeled in the seventh-most revenue in a crowded market in half the amount of time as its competition. That spells good news for Fanatics’ prospects in Ohio ahead of the all-important fall sports season.
