New York Sportsbooks Post $595 Million NFL Opening Week Handle as Prediction Markets Gain Ground

New York sportsbooks took in $595 million in bets during the first seven days of the NFL season, the strongest opening week since online sports betting was regulated in the state in January 2022. The number matters for high-risk operators because it shows where U.S. football handle is still flowing, even as prediction markets start to compete for the same action.

1. The New York State Gaming Commission data, as reported by ESPN, shows the Empire State’s sportsbooks posted the highest first-week handle since regulation began. The $595 million total was 13% higher than the 2025 NFL opener week.
2. Gross revenue was a different story. New York sportsbooks recorded $17 million in net winnings for the week, down 44% from the previous season, as bettors got the better of a slate with fewer upsets and more high-scoring games.
3. Caesars Sportsbook lead football trader Joey Feazel told ESPN: “Favorites, overs, and touchdown-scorers combined to create a bettor-friendly trifecta on opening Sunday.” In other words, the same game script that pleases casual bettors tends to compress operator margin.
4. At the national level, Eilers and Krejcik Gaming says as much as $40 billion could be wagered legally with sportsbooks in the United States this season. Chris Grove, partner emeritus at the firm, said: “I would expect betting and trading to be a ubiquitous presence this NFL season as brands battle with billions at stake across the entire U.S. market.”
5. Prediction markets are now part of the same competitive set. According to DefiRate.com, Kalshi accepted $702 million on NFL event contracts in the opening week, up 211% from last season. FanDuel also said the Dallas Cowboys-New York Giants game on Sunday brought in more active customers to its sportsbook than any other regular-season NFL game on Sunday.

The American Gaming Association is already warning that the rise of sports event contracts could flatten regulated NFL betting handle. Its preseason forecast puts 2026 season total handle at $29.5bn, barely above the $29.4bn recorded last season. For PSPs, acquirers, and banks, the practical takeaway is simple: football remains the biggest U.S. acquisition season, but part of the wallet is now being contested by products that look a lot like betting and are dressed up as something else.