Massachusetts’ gaming sector closed December with mixed results, as sports wagering delivered record-breaking revenue while traditional casino play showed a year-over-year decline. Data released by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (pdf) outlined strong gains from online and retail sportsbooks, alongside softer performance from table games and slot machines across the state’s three commercial casinos.

Adjusted gross sports betting revenue reached approximately $98.5 million for the month, establishing a new high for the state. That total exceeded the previous record set in November by 3.8% and marked a sharp increase of more than 70% compared with December of the prior year. Before adjustments, gross sports betting revenue climbed even higher, surpassing $102 million for the first time since wagering launched in the Commonwealth.

Sports Wagering Delivers Record Tax Revenue

Sportsbooks accepted a combined $845.3 million in wagers during December, a figure that included both online and in-person betting. While that handle fell short of November’s record and ranked as the lowest monthly total since September, revenue performance remained strong due to higher sportsbook holds. The statewide hold rate finished near 11.7%, one of the strongest marks recorded in 2025.

Online betting continued to dominate the market, accounting for roughly 98.6% of all wagers placed. As a result, the bulk of taxable revenue came from digital platforms rather than retail sportsbooks. Based on Massachusetts’ tax structure, which applies a higher rate to online betting than in-person wagering, the state collected a record $19.6 million in sports betting taxes for the month.

DraftKings maintained its position as the market leader, generating $53.4 million in taxable revenue from $447.5 million in bets. FanDuel followed with $25.6 million from a $202.2 million handle, while Fanatics secured third place with $8.3 million in revenue off $79.2 million wagered. BetMGM, Caesars, theScore Bet, and Bally Bet rounded out the online field with smaller shares of both handle and revenue.

Retail sportsbooks contributed a limited portion of overall activity. Encore Boston Harbor led land-based operators with $654,688 in revenue, while MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park Casino split the remaining total.

Casino Performance Slips Despite Strong Sports Results

In contrast to sports wagering, land-based casino gaming posted a modest decline compared with the previous year. The combined gross gaming revenue from Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield, and Plainridge Park Casino reached $97.9 million in December, reflecting a drop of about 4.5% year over year and trailing November’s total.

Slot machines generated more than $69.5 million statewide, while table games accounted for $28.4 million. Encore Boston Harbor remained the top-performing casino with $61.8 million in total revenue. MGM Springfield followed with $21.9 million, and Plainridge Park Casino reported $14.1 million.

MGM Springfield alone produced more than $21 million from slot and table games during the month, resulting in $5.4 million in tax payments to the Commonwealth. Since opening, the three casinos have contributed roughly $2.302 billion in combined taxes and assessments to the state.

When sports betting and casino gaming results are combined, Massachusetts generated approximately $47.5 million in gaming-related tax revenue for December. That figure included $27.9 million from casinos and the record-setting contribution from sports wagering. Despite the monthly dip in casino play, Massachusetts continues to rank among the largest gaming markets in the country. The December results underscored the growing influence of sports wagering on state revenues, even as traditional casino performance showed signs of stabilization rather than growth.