May 2026 Sports Betting Data Released by rg.org Reveals State-by-State Performance Shifts

On June 21, 2026, rg.org published reports that compiled May 2026 sports betting activity from multiple states, and those figures showed Maryland posting a record handle of $535.4 million while other markets posted flat or declining numbers.

The data covers handle totals, revenue generated, hold percentages, and resulting tax collections, with Maryland standing out for year-over-year gains across several metrics. Tennessee reported a $443 million handle, and Pennsylvania posted a $595.6 million handle that fell 9.1 percent compared with the prior year.

Maryland Sets New Benchmarks in May 2026

Maryland reached the $535.4 million handle mark during May 2026, an increase of 6.1 percent from the same month in 2025. That volume produced $49.6 million in revenue at a hold rate of 12.30 percent. State tax revenue climbed 27.8 percent to $9.9 million, reflecting both the higher handle and the improved hold percentage.

Observers note that the 12.30 percent hold figure indicates operators retained slightly more than one dollar out of every eight wagered. The tax calculation, which applies to revenue rather than handle, translated the $49.6 million revenue base into the $9.9 million payment to the state.

Comparative Figures from Other States

Tennessee recorded a $443 million handle for the month. The report placed this total alongside Pennsylvania's $595.6 million handle, which represented a 9.1 percent decline from May 2025. Both states showed either flat or reduced activity relative to year-earlier levels, contrasting with Maryland's gains.

Additional states referenced in the same release followed similar patterns of modest or negative movement, though the publication centered its detailed breakdowns on the three markets noted above. teh collective picture illustrated monthly variation across regulated sports betting jurisdictions.

What's interesting is how the hold percentages and tax outcomes diverged even when handle totals moved in different directions. Maryland's combination of higher volume and higher hold produced the largest tax increase among the highlighted states, while Pennsylvania's lower handle directly reduced both revenue and tax contributions.

Context Around Key Metrics

Handle represents the total amount wagered before any winnings are paid out. Revenue equals the amount operators keep after paying winning bets, and the hold percentage expresses revenue as a share of handle. Tax revenue then applies state-specific rates to that revenue figure.

The rg.org compilation draws from state-reported data released on standard monthly schedules. Those figures reach the public through regulatory portals and operator disclosures, allowing the site to aggregate and present them in a single overview on June 21, 2026.

People who've followed these releases over multiple months recognize that individual state results can swing based on promotional calendars, sporting event schedules, and changes in operator offerings. The May 2026 numbers fit within that established pattern of month-to-month fluctuation.

Tax and Revenue Implications

Maryland's 27.8 percent tax increase stemmed from both the 6.1 percent handle growth and the 12.30 percent hold rate. The resulting $9.9 million payment marked a concrete dollar increase for state coffers compared with May 2025.

Pennsylvania's 9.1 percent handle decline produced corresponding drops in revenue and tax collections. Tennessee's flat $443 million handle generated steady but unchanged contributions relative to recent prior months. Together these outcomes illustrate how small shifts in volume or hold can scale into larger differences once tax formulas are applied.

Conclusion

The June 21, 2026, release from rg.org assembled May 2026 sports betting statistics for several states and placed Maryland's record $535.4 million handle alongside more modest results from Tennessee and Pennsylvania. The data set documented handle, revenue, hold, and tax amounts without projecting future performance. Readers can access the full set of figures through the original publication at rg.org to review each state's numbers in detail.