The Arizona Department of Gaming reported sports wagering handle of $572.5 million for the month of December on Friday, putting the Grand Canyon State over $6 billion for the calendar year and helping set a national handle record for the second consecutive month to close out 2022.
While the handle was down 7.3% compared to November’s $616.9 million, it was still the fourth-highest total in 16 months of wagering in Arizona and the fourth straight month operators accepted more than half a billion dollars in wagers. Arizona has generated close to $7.8 billion in handle since the first wagers were accepted in September 2021.
Gross revenue totaled more than $54.4 million after operator losses and federal excise taxes were included, resulting in a 9.5% hold. The $55.6 million after payouts was within $450,000 of the all-time high of $56 million set in November. The state was eligible to levy taxes on $37.3 million of that total, with the 8% levy on retail revenue and 10% tax on adjusted gross revenue generating an inflow of $3.7 million to state coffers.
Sports wagering generated $28.9 million in tax receipts in the first full year of wagering in Arizona, while operators totaled $473.1 million in revenue prior to losses and federal excise tax.