New Jersey’s Internet gambling market reached a new high in September, with Atlantic City casinos and their online partners raking in more than $208 million, according to figures released Thursday by the New Jersey Division of Gambling Enforcement.
This is the first time that online gambling revenue has exceeded $200 million in a single month.
The record shows the growing importance of internet gambling, while in-person gambling revenues still lag behind pre-pandemic levels.
However, not all of this online money stays with the casinos.
Some is shared with third-party technology providers that power the platforms, leaving in-person gambling the main source of revenue for many casinos.
AP Photo/Wayne Parry
Despite this development, personal gambling revenues remain uneven.
Several casinos are still making less money from their brick-and-mortar operations than they did in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although total personal gambling revenue surpassed the September 2019 figure by $6 million, five of the nine casinos reported lower personal revenue last month than five years ago.
Boosted by Internet gambling and a smaller contribution from sports betting, total gambling revenue for the state’s casinos, racetracks and their affiliates reached $558 million in September.
This represents an increase of 7.1 percent compared to September 2023.
“The continued success of Internet gambling has helped push Atlantic City’s total gambling revenues to the highest figure for the month of September in more than a decade,” said James Plousis, chairman of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission.
“For the third month in a row, total gambling revenues exceeded $500 million. Last year, total gambling revenues only exceeded $500 million in August.”
AP Photo/Wayne Parry
Jane Bokunewicz, director of the Lloyd Levenson Institute at Stockton University, noted that while Internet gambling is soaring, in-person gambling is still lagging.
“Internet gaming continues to represent a significant portion of Atlantic City operators’ revenue mix year to date, contributing 40.8 percent of total revenue for the industry through the first three quarters of the year,” Bokunewicz said.
In personal gambling, Borgata led the market, earning $62.4 million in September, up 15 percent from the same period in 2019.
However, other casinos struggled.
Hard Rock’s personal income fell 4.7 percent to $44.6 million, while Ocean Casino reported a 28 percent decline, earning $28.4 million.
Other declines in personal income were reported at Caesars, Harrah’s and Tropicana, with declines ranging from 4.1 percent to 16.3 percent.
AP Photo/Wayne Parry
When internet and sports betting are included, some casinos performed better overall.
Borgata brought in $120.2 million, up 12 percent, while Golden Nugget’s total revenue rose 25.8 percent to $72.8 million.
Others, however, continued to decline or stagnate.
Resorts, despite their strong online presence, saw a 3.4 percent decline in total revenue, while Ocean’s total revenue fell 24 percent.
The state’s two racetracks, which accept sports betting, also contributed to the overall revenue.
Together with their partners, the casinos and racetracks generated $119.5 million in revenue from nearly $1.1 billion in wagers.
This article contains reporting from The Associated Press
