April Revenue Insights
$219.76M
$3.36M
$1.01B
$23.71M
FRANKFORT, KY - July 6, 2025
Less than two years since launching legal sports betting, Kentucky has quietly crossed a major milestone: over $1 billion wagered in just four months of 2025. What’s more impressive is how this new industry is becoming a dependable source of tax revenue, feeding the state’s pension system and funding responsible gambling programs with precision.
In April alone, Kentuckians placed $219.76 million in bets, yielding $23.71 million in revenue for sportsbooks and $3.36 million in taxes for the state.
📊 April 2025 Revenue
| Metric | April 2025 |
|---|---|
| Handle | $219.76M |
| Gross Revenue (GGR) | $23.71M |
| Hold % | 10.79% |
| Tax Revenue | $3.36M |
April’s performance further confirms what lawmakers had hoped for when Kentucky entered the regulated betting space in 2023: a high-engagement activity that supports long-term public funds without requiring constant legislative attention.
📈 January–April 2025 Overview
| Month | Handle | GGR | Hold % | Tax Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | $277.12M | $32.98M | 11.90% | $4.68M |
| Feb | $224.73M | $29.34M | 13.05% | $4.15M |
| Mar | $285.74M | $18.92M | 6.62% | $2.74M |
| Apr | $219.76M | $23.71M | 10.79% | $3.36M |
| Total | $1.01B | $104.94M | 10.36% | $14.93M |
🔁 April Year-Over-Year Growth
| Metric | April 2024 | April 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handle | $187.91M | $219.76M | ▲ +16.9% |
| GGR | $22.85M | $23.71M | ▲ +3.8% |
| Tax Revenue | $3.23M | $3.36M | ▲ +4% |
Handle, revenue, and taxes are all trending upward. This growth pattern shows that sports betting in Kentucky is no longer in its early stages, it’s part of the state’s ongoing financial ecosystem.
Kentucky Sportsbetting Tax Revenue
Kentucky’s sports betting tax structure allocates proceeds to two primary areas:
- Public Pension Fund
The bulk of tax revenue supports Kentucky’s long-term pension obligations, addressing a critical funding issue for retired teachers, law enforcement, and other public employees. - Problem Gambling Assistance Fund
A designated share is routed to prevention, treatment, and educational services, ensuring the betting industry grows with safeguards in place.
In April, roughly $168,000 was directed toward gambling support services alone.
Kentucky isn’t chasing headlines, it’s building a functional, high-output market. With steady increases in users and tax revenue, it’s clear that the industry is a reliable revenue stream.
