The summer lull continued as Ohio online sports betting market posted one of its slower months of the year in July, according to figures released by the state's official gaming regulator. The dip lines up with a pattern the Buckeye State has seen before, since the gap between the NBA Finals and the start of football tends to pull bettors away from the sportsbooks. Even so, the numbers still point to a market that keeps growing year over year.
What The July Numbers Actually Show
The Ohio Casino Control Commission released its July monthly report, giving fans and bettors a clear look at how the state performed. Ohio Sports Betting handle for the month reached $624,637,340 across online and retail wagering combined, with mobile apps accounting for nearly all of that activity. Online sportsbooks alone handled more than $617 million, while the state's retail counters at casinos and racinos brought in just over $7.5 million.
July Compared To June
July's total handle came in lower than June's $658,859,016, down more than five percent month over month. Total revenue slipped as well, falling from roughly $68.9 million in June to $67.3 million in July. That kind of seasonal dip is normal for Ohio, since summer tends to be the quietest stretch on the sports calendar once hockey and basketball wrap up and before football season returns.
Where The Money Went
Operators kept about 10.8 percent of what bettors wagered in July, totaling $67,282,770 in revenue. DraftKings led every operator in handle, pulling in more than $202 million in bets through its Hollywood Toledo partnership. FanDuel was close behind with nearly $189.4 million wagered through its Hollywood Mahoning Valley skin, though FanDuel actually out-earned DraftKings in revenue thanks to a stronger hold percentage. Bet365, tied to the Cleveland Guardians, finished a distant third with almost $75 million in handle, while BetMGM and Fanatics rounded out the top five operators for the month.
July 2026 Versus July 2025
Compared to last year, Ohio's market still grew meaningfully. The state reported $532.3 million in handle for July 2025, which means this year's total marks an increase of roughly 17 percent. Revenue climbed too, rising from $60.2 million a year ago to $67.3 million this July, up nearly 12 percent. Even in a slow month, more Ohioans placed legal wagers than they did twelve months earlier.
Looking Ahead To August And Football Season
The next two months should look very different, especially for those using Ohio sports betting apps. August brings the start of NFL preseason and the ramp-up to college football, and Ohio Sports Betting Apps like DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM typically see their busiest run of the year once football takes over. Add in MLB's pennant races and the start of the NBA and NHL preseasons later in the fall, and bettors will have far more to wager on than they did during July's lull. Anyone who wants to check these numbers directly can find every monthly report at the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
