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The Nevada sports betting handle fell year over year for a fourth straight month in May, dropping 5.4%, while operator revenue declined even more sharply.
Key Takeaways
- The Golden Knights played a major role in the revenue decline.
- Online sportsbooks experienced a 3.1% handle decrease.
- Basketball profits were up nearly 4% from the previous May.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board reported Monday that $545.7 million was wagered, down from $576.8 million in May 2025, during a month highlighted by the NBA and NHL playoffs.
Online and retail sportsbooks generated $38.7 million in revenue, a 17.2% year-over-year decrease. The statewide hold of 7.1% dipped more than a point compared to the previous May.
The Vegas Golden Knights’ run to the Stanley Cup Final certainly played a role, as year-over-year hockey profits were down 69%. The home-state team went 9-2 in May, with five of those wins coming with plus odds.
Mobile wagering down
Clark County, which includes Las Vegas, experienced a larger 15.8% year-over-year revenue decline, while Washoe County operators in Reno and Lake Tahoe saw profits fall 32.5% compared to May 2025.
Nevada online wagering, which accounted for 75.1% of the total handle, was down 3.1% in May. Mobile sportsbooks made $34 million in revenue.
The state hauled in $2.6 million in May, increasing year-to-date tax revenue past $15 million.
Sport details
| Sport | May Revenue | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| Basketball | $13 million | 3.9% |
| Baseball | $12.6 million | -41% |
| Other | $13.7 million | 28.6% |
| Hockey | $1.5 million | -69% |
Basketball generated the most single-sport revenue, reaching $13 million. Profits from hoops were up nearly 4% compared to the previous May. Baseball generated $12.6 million in revenue, down slightly from April and a more resounding 41% from last May’s record total.
“Other” sports, which include tennis, soccer, MMA, boxing, auto racing, and golf, had a monster month with $13.7 million in operator revenue, a 28.6% year-over-year increase. Hockey generated just $1.5 million in May, though June results could look different after the Golden Knights’ run ended in the Stanley Cup Final.
Football continued to cost operators, recording a $2.2 million loss in May. Sportsbooks have lost more than $17 million on football over the past three months.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.
