# Sports Betting Handle **Domain:** Gambling economics / Public finance **Doc Type:** Developed Metric Node **Maturity:** Developed **Collection:** [[collections/Gamification|Gamification Collection]] ## Definition **Sports betting handle** is the total amount wagered over a stated period before winnings, refunds, and other adjustments are deducted. It is a measure of betting volume, not operator revenue, profit, taxable income, or public receipts. ## Significance Handle quantifies how much money passes through a possibility market. Because the same dollar can be wagered repeatedly, a large handle should not be read as equivalent to unique consumer spending or social benefit. Operator hold or gross gaming revenue is the portion retained after payouts; tax revenue is a further jurisdiction-specific calculation. Keeping these quantities separate is essential when claims about market growth, public finance, or harm use impressive aggregate numbers. ## Sources - American Gaming Association, [Commercial gaming revenue tracker](https://www.americangaming.org/resources/research/commercial-gaming-revenue-tracker/) - Nevada Gaming Control Board, [Gaming revenue reports](https://gaming.nv.gov/index.aspx?page=149) ## Routes [[wiki/Sports Betting|Sports Betting]] · [[wiki/Gaming Tax Revenue|Gaming Tax Revenue]] · [[wiki/CFTC Sports Event Contracts|CFTC Sports Event Contracts]] · [[wiki/Risk Pricing Systems|Risk Pricing Systems]]