Handle in Sports Betting: What It Means and Why It Matters
Understanding handle, the total money wagered, and how this data reveals market dynamics and betting activity.
By
Eric Pauly
Feb 6, 2026
5 min read
What Is Handle in Sports Betting?
Handle is one of the most important terms in sports betting that casual bettors often overlook. Simply put, handle refers to the total amount of money wagered on a game, event, or over a period of time. When news reports say "Nevada sportsbooks took $200 million in Super Bowl bets," that $200 million is the handle. Understanding handle helps you grasp how betting markets work, how sportsbooks make money, and what the data reveals about betting activity. I track handle reports from Nevada and legal U.S. sportsbooks monthly because the numbers tell a story about where money is flowing and how markets are behaving.
article Summary
Handle is the total amount wagered on sports events. It differs from revenue, which is what sportsbooks keep after paying winners. Handle data shows market size, betting trends, and which events attract the most action. Understanding handle helps bettors interpret public betting information and market dynamics.
Handle vs. Revenue: Understanding the Difference
These terms are often confused, but they measure completely different things.
What Handle Measures
Handle is the total amount risked by bettors, regardless of the outcome. If 10,000 people each bet $100 on a game, the handle is $1 million. It does not matter who wins or loses. Handle measures betting activity and market size.
What Revenue Measures
Revenue, sometimes called gross gaming revenue (GGR), is what the sportsbook keeps after paying winning bets. If that $1 million handle results in $950,000 paid to winners, the sportsbook revenue is $50,000. The difference between handle and payouts is how sportsbooks profit.
The Hold Percentage
Hold is the percentage of handle that sportsbooks retain. Historically, sportsbooks hold around 5-7% on standard bets and 10-15% on parlays. A sportsbook that takes $10 million in NFL bets (handle) and keeps $700,000 (revenue) has a 7% hold. The vig or juice built into odds creates this edge. Over millions of bets, the math ensures sportsbooks profit regardless of individual game outcomes.
Where Handle Data Comes From
Handle data is publicly available from regulated markets and provides valuable insights into betting trends.
State Gaming Reports
Every legal U.S. sports betting state publishes monthly reports showing total handle and revenue. Nevada, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania release the most detailed data. These reports break down handle by sport, showing how much was wagered on NFL versus NBA versus other events. I review New Jersey's reports quarterly to understand market trends.
Sportsbook Disclosures
Public companies like DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM disclose handle figures in earnings reports. These numbers show market share and growth trends. A sportsbook increasing handle while revenue stays flat might indicate aggressive promotions or poor line setting.
Event-Specific Reports
Major events like the Super Bowl, March Madness, and major boxing matches generate specific handle reports. The American Gaming Association publishes estimates for total U.S. betting on these events. In 2024, an estimated $23 billion was wagered on the Super Bowl across legal and offshore channels.
Why Handle Matters to Bettors
You might wonder why handle data matters to individual bettors. It provides context that can inform your betting decisions.
Understanding Market Size
High handle on a game means more liquidity and typically sharper lines. The Super Bowl has the sharpest lines of the year because billions in handle forces sportsbooks to post accurate numbers. A random mid-week MLS game with minimal handle may have less efficient pricing, creating potential value.
Interpreting Public Betting Data
When platforms like Action Network report that 75% of bets are on Team A, that is the percentage of bet count. The handle percentage might show 60% of money is on Team B, revealing that larger bettors favor the opposite side. Understanding that bet count and handle can diverge significantly is crucial for interpreting betting boards.
Tracking Market Trends
Monthly handle reports reveal what Americans are betting on. NFL consistently generates the most handle, followed by NBA and MLB. Handle data shows the growth of player props, parlays, and live betting. Understanding where market activity concentrates helps you focus your own research.
Handle Trends in U.S. Sports Betting
Legal sports betting handle has grown dramatically since the Supreme Court allowed state-by-state legalization in 2018.
Explosive Growth
U.S. legal sports betting handle grew from $1 billion in 2018 to over $120 billion annually by 2025. New states legalizing, more online sportsbooks launching, and increased mobile betting accessibility drove this growth. The market is now larger than anyone projected a decade ago.
Parlay Handle Increasing
The percentage of handle going to parlays has increased significantly. Sportsbooks promote parlays heavily because they hold 10-15% compared to 5-7% on straight bets. In some months, parlay handle exceeds 30% of total handle at major sportsbooks. This trend affects overall market dynamics and sportsbook profitability.
Football Dominance
NFL betting generates roughly 40% of U.S. sports betting handle despite only running 5 months per year. Adding college football pushes that figure higher. September through January dominates handle figures, with summer months seeing significantly lower activity. Professional bettors often plan their year around football season accordingly.
Using Handle Information Strategically
Here is how to incorporate handle awareness into your betting approach.
Seek Lower-Handle Markets for Value
Games with lower handle often have less efficient lines. Sportsbooks dedicate more resources to NFL lines than WNBA lines because the handle justifies the effort. Sharp bettors have historically found more edges in lower-handle markets where lines are softer. However, lower handle also means lower limits, so there is a trade-off.
Respect High-Handle Lines
When billions are wagered on the Super Bowl, those lines are extremely sharp. Finding value becomes harder because the market is highly efficient. This does not mean you should not bet, but your edge is likely smaller than on a Thursday night college basketball game.
Monitor Handle for Line Movements
Significant handle on one side of a bet typically moves lines. If the line is not moving despite reported lopsided handle, something interesting is happening. Either sharp money is balancing the public, or the sportsbook is comfortable with their position. Tracking line movements with tools like OddsJam alongside handle data reveals market dynamics.
Final Thoughts
Handle is a fundamental concept in sports betting that reveals how much money is in motion. Understanding the difference between handle and revenue, where handle data comes from, and what it tells you about market efficiency makes you a more informed bettor. High-handle events have sharper lines, low-handle markets may offer more value, and the divergence between bet count and money percentage often reveals where smart money is landing. Pay attention to handle reports, understand the trends, and use this information to contextualize the betting markets you are analyzing.
Handle in Sports Betting FAQ
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