Arizona Sports Betting Handle Surges in August

Arizona's sports betting market experienced a significantly strong surge in August 2025. Both handled and adjusted revenue climbed significantly from the previous year and month. 

The Arizona Department of Gaming reported that Arizona’s sports betting market generated a total handle of $610.7 million, up 23% from last year and 31.7% from July. Online betting made up $608.9 million of this total, while retail sportsbooks only made up $1.8 million.

The total revenue accumulated from betting on events was $59.9 million, representing a 61.5% increase from last August. After subtracting the $18.4 million in credits related to Arizona sportsbook promos, the net revenue was $41.5 million, representing an 85.3% increase from the previous year. 

The state's adjusted hold was 6.8%, indicating that operator margins remained steady.

FanDuel made $14.2 million in adjusted revenue from $178.5 million in bets, making it Arizona's best sportsbook. DraftKings followed with $13.0 million from a $184.0 million handle, while BetMGM placed third at $6.0 million. 

Fanatics and Caesars rounded out the top five. Combined betting activity generated $4.1 million in tax revenue, nearly all of which was generated by online platforms.

The steady rise in Arizona's betting volume and tax receipts comes amid heightened national scrutiny of gambling integrity. This topic recently resurfaced in collegiate athletics and could affect the overall US state sports betting handle.

NCAA probes Arizona State player

On the heels of the state's record-breaking betting month, the NCAA has opened an investigation into a former Arizona State men's basketball player for alleged violations of sports wagering rules. The inquiry also extends to athletes from several other universities, including Mississippi Valley, Eastern Michigan, Temple, North Carolina A&T, and New Orleans. 

The allegations range from sharing inside information and influencing game outcomes to betting on their own teams and failing to cooperate with investigators.

Arizona State athletic director Graham Rossini confirmed the university's cooperation, emphasizing that the former athlete had already been released from the program before the investigation began. The NCAA clarified that no current players or staff were implicated and that the school itself would not face penalties.

The inquiry takes place within the context of a broader NCAA effort to enhance enforcement in response to the growing legalization of sports betting in North America. NCAA President Charlie Baker reaffirmed the organization's position on the need for improved regulation on prop betting and sports betting-related integrity, working between sports and gaming regulators.

For Arizona State, it brings back memories of the 1994 point shaving scandal, which is one of the darkest moments in college basketball history.