- New York topped the nation with over $2 billion in February handle, while North Carolina crossed $581 million in wagers during just its second year of operation.
- Delaware posted $45.47 million in total gaming revenue for the month, and Arkansas came in at $9.54 million with major sportsbook changes expected later in 2026.
NEW YORK – Regulated sports betting across the United States continued to post strong numbers in February 2026, with several states releasing their monthly revenue figures as the NFL postseason wound down and college basketball season heated up.
The findings demonstrate how each state’s betting market functions differently based on its size, composition, and duration of operation.
New York Leads the Nation
In February, New York betting sites handled an astounding $2.09 billion in bets, generating $177.5 million in gross gaming revenue at an 8.50% hold. Thanks to its 51% tax rate on mobile sportsbook earnings—one of the highest in the nation—the state was able to collect $90.5 million in sports betting tax revenue.
The handle was up over $107 million from February 2025, while revenue was marginally lower than the previous year due to a decline in sportsbook margins from 9.33% to 8.50%.
North Carolina Continues Its Early Growth
Sportsbooks generated $58.1 million in total wagering income at a 9.98% hold, while betting sites in North Carolina received $581.7 million in bets in February. The $10.45 million in sports betting taxes collected was used for college athletic departments, youth sports financing, and state programs that address gambling addiction.
North Carolina’s legal sports betting began in March 2024 and is only in its second year as of February 2026. The handle increased by about $38 million from February 2025, indicating that the number of players in the sportsbook business is continually growing.
Delaware Posts Solid Sportsbook Numbers
Sportsbooks in Delaware contributed to a total of $45.47 million in gaming income in February, which was almost $4.9 million more than the same month the previous year. Gaming taxes earned the state $11.97 million.
Online slots, online table games, and video lottery terminals are all included in Delaware’s regulated betting revenue, which is monitored collectively under the state’s official monthly gaming reports.
The state’s revenue-sharing arrangement with sportsbook operators and vendors caused tax collections to marginally decline year over year despite the revenue gain.
Arkansas Eyes a Major Shift
The taxable gaming revenue recorded by Arkansas sportsbooks for February was $9.54 million, which was almost the same as February 2025’s $9.52 million but a slight decrease from January’s $10.46 million. For the previous few years, sportsbooks consistently made between $9 and $10 million each month.
Two major changes to sportsbook operators are anticipated in 2026. The smaller regional sportsbook platforms that are already in operation will be replaced by DraftKings at Southland Casino and FanDuel at Oaklawn Casino.
Once the new partnerships take effect, such changes may result in a noticeable increase in Arkansas sports betting figures.
