Ohio sportsbooks took in $662.8 million in bets in August 2025 and reported $72.7 million in revenue on a near-11% hold. Almost all wagering came from mobile apps, and the state collected about $14.5 million in taxes.
The month marked strong gains compared with last year and set the stage for football season.
What the Numbers Show
Ohio bettors wagered $662.8 million in August. Sportsbooks kept $72.7 million in revenue, which works out to a 10.96% hold (the percentage of bets the books kept). That hold is higher than many months earlier in the year and helped drive a solid tax take for the state at roughly 20% of taxable revenue.
Ohio mobile sports betting continues to dominate the market. Online books handled about $651.1 million, while retail sportsbooks took $11.6 million. Revenue followed the same pattern: $70.7 million from online and $1.9 million from in-person betting. That means more than 98% of handle and revenue came through phones and computers, not over the counter.
August also showed strong growth compared with last year. Revenue rose about 49% year over year, while handle climbed about 20.9%. Industry watchers point to preseason futures and early college football interest as drivers. With football now in full swing, these figures put Ohio on a strong footing for the fall.
For taxpayers, the math matters. At a 20% tax rate, the August Ohio sports betting results translated to about $14.5 million for the state. That money funds education, problem gambling services, and other programs written into Ohio law.
Who Led the Market
The two biggest online operators again finished on top. DraftKings OH generated the state’s largest handle at $218.1 million, while FanDuel OH was close behind at $207.6 million. On revenue, FanDuel edged DraftKings, winning $24.7 million on an 11.9% hold, compared with DraftKings’11.2% hold and slightly lower revenue.
Both brands posted double-digit win rates, showing how parlays and football futures can boost margins.
Other major players posted solid results. bet365 OH finished third in handle at $58.8 million and produced $5.6 million in revenue on a 9.6% hold. BetMGM OH continued a streak of 10%+ holds, topping $4.8 million in revenue. Fanatics OH rounded out the top five with $3.7 million in winnings on $36.9 million handle, also clearing the 10% hold mark.
Promotional spend ticked up as books fought for share before football. Total credits and bonuses reached about $20.6 million, with DraftKings leading the way. Even so, improved win rates suggest operators converted that spending into profitable volume.
