New Jersey Sportsbooks Set July Handle Record

Jonathan Rodriguez

Written by: Jonathan Rodriguez

Published: Wed Aug 19, 2026, 9:00 am ET

Read Time: 4 minutes

New Jersey Sportsbooks Set July Handle Record

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New Jersey sportsbooks delivered a major rebound in July 2026. The state also set a new July record for sports betting handle.

According to a report from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, operators accepted $816.9 million in wagers. That figure represented a 23% increase from July 2025.

The strong handle also translated into nearly $97 million in sports betting revenue. Revenue climbed 29.7% year over year, while the state's hold reached 11.87%.

As a result, the latest figures offer positive momentum for New Jersey gambling. They also highlight the strength of US online sportsbooks during a major international sporting event.

World Cup Betting and Higher Hold Drive July Rebound

Several factors helped New Jersey sportsbooks bounce back after a difficult June. Most importantly, operators benefited from a much stronger hold rate during July.

Sportsbooks retained 11.87% of wagers in July. That marked a significant improvement from June's 6.24% hold rate. Bettors wagered more than $917 million in June. Yet sportsbooks generated only $57.3 million in revenue that month.

July produced a different outcome despite having a smaller handle. Operators converted more wagers into revenue because results favored sportsbooks.

The FIFA World Cup also played an important role. The tournament's knockout rounds and final created additional betting opportunities throughout July.

New Jersey's "other" sports category includes soccer and generated $309.2 million in wagers. That represented a 60% increase from July 2025.

Revenue from the category surged 150% year over year to approximately $37 million. Meanwhile, parlays provided another boost for operators. They produced a 19.1% hold rate on nearly $50 million in wagers.

Online betting remained the dominant force as well. Mobile sportsbooks generated $94.6 million of July's $97 million sports betting revenue.

The state also collected around $20 million in sports betting taxes during July. That brought year-to-date sports betting tax collections to $127.3 million.

New Jersey raised its digital sports betting tax rate to 19.75% in mid-2025. The higher rate has helped keep state tax collections elevated as online wagering grows.

New Jersey's Gambling Market Posts Broad-Based Growth

The sports betting record formed part of a broader expansion across New Jersey gambling.

Total statewide gaming revenue reached $678.1 million in July. That represented an 11.9% increase from the same month last year.

All three major gambling segments recorded year-over-year growth during the month.

Atlantic City's nine casino hotels generated $304.2 million in casino win. That marked a 7.1% increase from July 2025.

The casino sector also recorded its strongest July performance since 2012. Slot machines generated $226.1 million, while table games produced $78.1 million.

Meanwhile, internet gaming reached another monthly record. Online casinos generated $276.9 million in revenue during July.

That figure represented a 12% increase from July 2025. It also pushed year-to-date internet gaming revenue to $1.87 billion.

Sports betting revenue reached $97 million, up from $74.8 million one year earlier. Online sportsbooks accounted for $94.6 million of that total.

FanDuel led online sports betting revenue with $32.8 million. DraftKings followed with $25.6 million, while BetFanatics reached $10.6 million. BetMGM also delivered $8.8 million through its partnership with Borgata.

New Jersey's overall performance also generated significant tax revenue for the state. Casino Control Commission Chair James Plousis highlighted the market's broader impact.

"Statewide total gaming revenue eclipsed $4 billion faster than in all prior years, contributing over $540 million in gaming tax revenue for critical programs that benefit senior and disabled residents in every county of New Jersey," said Plousis.

Through July, statewide gaming revenue reached $4.20 billion. That represented a 6.9% increase from the same period last year.

The figure demonstrates that New Jersey's gambling market has maintained broad growth across its major gaming sectors.

Can New Jersey Gambling Maintain Its Momentum?

The July figures give New Jersey's gambling market a strong foundation heading into the second half of 2026.

Still, sportsbooks face a key test as the summer sports calendar gives way to football season. Historically, football produces considerably heavier betting activity.

Consequently, operators could see handle growth accelerate during the coming months. The July record also shows that bettors remain highly engaged with major sporting events.

The World Cup provided a substantial boost during July. Meanwhile, football could create another sustained source of betting volume.

The broader market also enters this period from a position of strength. New Jersey's year-to-date gaming revenue reached $4.20 billion through July.

However, sportsbooks still have ground to recover on a year-to-date basis. Sports betting revenue stood at $609.9 million through July. That remained 2.7% below the $626.8 million recorded through July 2025.

July therefore represents an important turning point rather than a guarantee of continued growth.

With football approaching, US online sportsbooks will have another major opportunity to increase wagering activity. New Jersey's record July handle suggests bettors are ready to keep participating.

Jonathan Rodriguez
Jonathan Rodriguez

Jonathan is an avid basketball fan, and is often looking forward to the next upcoming NBA season when not checking players' stats during games. He also likes to keep his ears on the ground for the latest rumblings in the online casino industry.

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