Ohio bettors wagered $744.1 million on sports in May 2026, according to the Ohio Casino Control Commission — an increase of less than half a percent from the $741.2 million handled in May 2025. It was a stable month in a spring highlighted by the NBA and NHL playoffs, with betting volume cooling from the March Madness peak but holding steady year-over-year.
Despite the flat handle, operators had a strong month. Ohio sportsbooks kept $88.5 million in gross revenue — just $300,000 less than the same month a year earlier — on a robust 11.9% hold. That win rate was nearly identical to the prior May and well above the 9.1% hold operators posted in March 2026.
May by the numbers
| Metric | May 2026 | vs May 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Total handle | $744.1M | +<0.5% |
| Gross revenue | $88.5M | -$0.3M |
| Hold (win rate) | 11.9% | ~flat |
| Taxable revenue | $88.6M | 3rd-highest of 2026 |
| State tax (20%) | $17.8M | ~flat |
The $88.6 million in taxable revenue was the third-highest monthly figure of 2026, trailing only January ($99.7M) and April ($89.6M). At Ohio's 20% tax rate, May produced roughly $17.8 million for the state, pushing the year-to-date sports betting tax total past $87 million.
Where May fits in 2026
May's $88.5 million in revenue landed just below April's $89.2 million, continuing a run of remarkably consistent monthly results. Through five months, Ohio sportsbooks have now generated well over $430 million in gross revenue.
| 2026 Month | Gross Revenue | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| January | $99.6M | NFL playoffs + Super Bowl run-up |
| February | $69.8M | Post-football lull |
| March | $87.9M | March Madness + MLB open |
| April | $89.2M | NBA/NHL playoffs + MLB |
| May | $88.5M | NBA/NHL playoffs, 11.9% hold |
The steady numbers have Ohio tracking toward a record year. Industry analysts project the state's 2026 sports betting revenue could approach $1.2 billion — which would top 2025 — even as the market absorbs a wave of new regulation.
Strong results meet a tightening regulatory climate
May's figures arrive against an unusually active regulatory backdrop. The Ohio Casino Control Commission advanced a credit card deposit ban toward a final vote in June, Google banned prediction market advertising in the state, and two lawmakers introduced the "Save Ohio Sports Act," a long-shot bill that would ban online sports betting entirely. None of those measures has changed the current market — online operators still drive more than 98% of Ohio's betting revenue — but they underscore the political scrutiny that accompanies the industry's growth.
What it means for Ohio bettors
A high-hold month like May generally reflects favorable results for the books rather than anything a bettor can act on. But the consistent volume confirms Ohio remains one of the largest and most competitive US markets, which keeps welcome bonuses generous and line-shopping across DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, and Caesars worthwhile. Compare current Ohio welcome offers on our bonuses hub.