Nevada Sportsbooks Post 352% Revenue Surge as Football Delivers Record Profits

Nevada sportsbooks recorded $67.6 million in revenue in December 2025, marking a 352% increase compared to the same month in 2024, according to figures released by the Nevada Gaming Control Board. The result made December the third most profitable month of the year and capped off a strong finish alongside November, with the two-month period generating a combined $140 million, the industry’s best stretch since late 2023.

Football Fuels the Turnaround

Football emerged as the primary driver behind the revenue surge. After delivering its first losing month in more than a decade in December 2024, the sport rebounded strongly in 2025, generating over $40 million in profits for operators during December alone. Across the four months aligned with the NFL regular season, football produced $154.8 million in revenue, with each month clearing at least $32 million.

Basketball also maintained solid performance, contributing $15.5 million in December revenue, up 3.6% year over year, while hockey posted a standout 360% increase, reaching $4.7 million. Meanwhile, “other” sports rose 66% to $6.8 million, offsetting a $1.4 million loss from baseball.

Lower Handle, Higher Hold

The revenue growth came despite a contraction in betting volume. Total handle in December reached $746.7 million, down 9.1% from November’s $908.1 million. However, sportsbooks benefited from a significantly stronger hold, which climbed to 9%, compared to just 1.8% in December 2024.

Online wagering continued to dominate the market, accounting for 72% of total handle and $42.6 million of December’s revenue. Clark County, home to the Las Vegas Strip, mirrored statewide trends, with a similar decline in handle but a sharp improvement in hold, rising from 1.7% to 8.8% year over year.

A Profitable Year for the Silver State

For the full year, Nevada sportsbooks processed $8.07 billion in wagers, a modest 2% increase from 2024. Despite softer tourism figures, annual sportsbook revenue jumped nearly 25%, surpassing $601 million. The average hold rate for 2025 exceeded 7%, more than a full percentage point higher than the previous year.

December’s strong finish also boosted state finances, contributing to a total tax haul exceeding $40 million for 2025, reinforcing sports betting’s growing role in Nevada’s gaming and public revenue landscape.