Maryland Sports Betting Revenue Fell in September

The state saw a 32.5 percent decline in sports wagering revenue despite a slight increase in total bets placed.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Gambling

Isometric editorial illustration showing weighted platforms holding a metallic coin and betting tokens, illustrating financial shifts in sports wagering. — Maryland's sports betting revenue fell by 32.5 percent in September 2026 to $9.1 million, despite consistent total wagers of $652.2 million. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Maryland sports wagering revenue dropped to $9.1 million in September 2026, marking a 32.5 percent decrease from the $13.47 million reported in September 2025. This decline occurred even though total wagers reached $652.2 million during the month.

Why it matters

The drop in state contributions is tied to a lower operator hold percentage, which fell to 9 percent in September 2026 compared to 11.2 percent during the same month in 2025.

Sportsbook operators retained 9 percent of the $652.2 million in wagers placed by bettors in September 2026. This resulted in state contributions including $6.89 million for the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Fund and $2.21 million for the General Fund.

The details

While bettors won $593.7 million in September 2026, the lower percentage of wagers kept by operators significantly impacted the total revenue collected by the state. Total wagers remained largely consistent, growing slightly from $650.97 million in September 2025 to $652.2 million this past September.

September 2025 saw the state generate $13.47 million in sports betting revenue.
September 2026 recorded $9.1 million in state sports betting revenue.
The first three months of Fiscal Year 2027 generated nearly $24.6 million in total state revenue.

Culture Shift

Sports betting tax contributions are a key funding component for the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Fund, which supports educational initiatives across the state. Revenue fluctuations directly impact the pool of available resources for these programs compared to prior fiscal projections.

The decline in wagering revenue impacts the total tax contributions flowing into the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Fund. While bettors saw winnings of $593.7 million, the state's budget for public education and other services receives a smaller portion when operator holds decrease.

The takeaway

Understanding the operator hold percentage is essential for tracking how much tax revenue reaches public funds. Bettors should note that despite high betting volume, state revenue can vary significantly based on the percentage of wagers retained by sportsbook operators.