New York Sees Record High Handle During Week of Thanksgiving

Michael Savio
By: Michael Savio
Sports Betting
College Football Gives New York’s August Handle a Massive Boost

Photo by Dllu, CC BY-SA 4.0

Key Takeaways

  • The state saw over $592 million in wagers for the week of Thanksgiving
  • The week was up by over 14% compared to the year before
  • Fanatics once again posted the third-highest handle

Sports betting is staying hot in New York as the weather continues to cool.

The New York Gaming Commission (NYGC) reported a handle of $592.9 million for the week of Thanksgiving. That number breaks the previous record of $576.1 million, set just a few weeks ago. While the holidays can often lead to a boost in handle, this year’s was up by more than 14% compared to the same week last year.

While the NYGC has not shared the handle for November, the strong week suggests the state could also set a monthly record.

Holiday Sports Weekend Drives Wagers

Thanksgiving and sports have been intertwined for decades now, but this year’s holiday was one of the best. The NFL, NBA, NHL, and college basketball and football featured fantastic weekly matchups. It seemed that great games were on from Thanksgiving through Sunday, leading to many fans wagering on them.

The New York Giants played against the rival Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving. While the Giants’ season is all but over, the rivalry made this game special as they attempted to end the Cowboys' playoff hopes. 

Hockey fans in the state also got to watch and wager on the Rangers taking on two top rivals in the Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers.

Cool Off Could be Coming

As hot as New York’s sports betting market has been, things may finally cool in December. While the NFL will be in its final stretch of the season, both New York teams have no hope to make the playoffs. That could lead to wagers dropping as fans turn their attention to other sports.

December also marks the end of the college football regular season. This weekend, the conference championship games will occur, followed by a lull before Bowl Season begins. New York has enjoyed watching Syracuse have one of their better seasons in some time, leading to an uptick in bets. 

Fanatics Continues to Thrive

One of the most interesting stories from New York’s sports betting hot streak has been Fanatics' success. The sportsbook launched in the Empire State in February and has now become the third-most popular platform in the market. 

While Fanatics still lags far behind FanDuel and BetMGM, they continually beat second-tier operators like BetMGM and Caesars. The two Vegas-based operators fight for third place in most markets, but the pecking order is changing.

Michael is an avid sports fan and a veteran bettor from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He learned the trade from his grandfather in Las Vegas as a kid. As an adult, Michael started picking games for a small sports betting site and has built it into a career. His experience allows him to provide tips and information to help other bettors improve their game. Michael cheers for all Wisconsin pro teams, the Arizona State Sun Devils (his alma mater), and the Ottawa Senators. He specializes in baseball betting but has extensive experience in football, basketball, and hockey. When he isn’t pouring over stats, he’s spending time with his two young children or hiking and enjoying the outdoors.

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