New Jersey’s gambling industry posted a 12% rise in revenue in April, driven by gains in internet gambling, sports betting, and in-person casino play, although more than half of Atlantic City’s casinos continued to lag behind pre-pandemic levels in their core business of on-site gambling.
Casinos, horse racing tracks, and their online partners generated more than $600 million in combined gambling revenue during the month.
Atlantic City casinos won $235.5 million from in-person gamblers in April, up nearly 12% from a year earlier. Internet gambling revenue rose nearly 12% to $263.1 million, surpassing revenue from physical casinos for the eighth consecutive month, while sports betting revenue climbed nearly 13% to $102.1 million.
Sportsbooks handled more than $934 million in wagers before payouts and expenses.
Despite the overall growth, five of Atlantic City’s nine casinos continued to generate less in-person gambling revenue than they did in April 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Casino operators regard in-person gambling revenue as their primary business because proceeds from internet gambling and sports betting are shared with third-party technology companies and sportsbook operators.
The sector also faces growing competition from planned casinos in New York City and the possibility of expanded casino gambling elsewhere in New Jersey.
“Amid persistent headwinds, including the recent opening of live table games at Resorts World New York City, it will be interesting to see if Atlantic City’s gaming industry will be able to carry this growth into the summer tourism season,” said Jane Bokunewicz, director of Stockton University’s Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism.
“With visitors returning to take advantage of the city’s many amenities, the second annual Soar & Shore airshow later this month, and the resort’s potential as a destination for those enjoying the FIFA World Cup festivities, there certainly will be a lot to look forward to this summer and reasons to hope that the season’s challenges will be balanced by opportunities,” Bokunewicz added.
Only four casinos — Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, Ocean Casino Resort, and Resorts Casino Hotel — generated more in-person gambling revenue than they did before the pandemic.
Borgata led the market with just over $67 million in in-person gambling revenue in April, up 14.5% from a year earlier. Hard Rock generated $45.3 million, up 9.1%, while Ocean Casino Resort reported $36.5 million, an increase of 19.5%.
Caesars Atlantic City posted one of the largest percentage gains, with in-person gambling revenue rising 31.9% to $19.3 million. Golden Nugget Atlantic City was the only casino to report a decline, with revenue falling 3% to $10.7 million.
Slot machines generated $169.3 million in April revenue, while table games contributed $66.2 million.
In internet gambling, FanDuel, partnered with Golden Nugget, led the market with $58.8 million in revenue, up 11.4% from a year earlier. DraftKings, aligned with Resorts Casino Hotel, generated $41.9 million, down 10.6%, while BetMGM, partnered with Borgata, posted $32.7 million, up 10.4%.
In online sports betting, FanDuel and Meadowlands Racetrack generated $39.7 million in revenue, up 25%, while DraftKings and Resorts posted $25.7 million, up 15%.
Separately, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa ranked first among New Jersey gaming establishments in total gaming revenue for the first quarter of 2026, reporting $352.7 million between Jan. 1 and March 31.
The property generated $177.7 million in casino wins, $174.2 million in internet gaming wins and $847,168 from sportsbook lounge operations.
Golden Nugget Atlantic City ranked second with $266.1 million in total gaming revenue and recorded the state’s highest internet gaming revenue at $235.7 million. Resorts Casino Hotel ranked third with $197.5 million.
Hard Rock Atlantic City and Ocean Casino Resort ranked fourth and fifth with total gaming revenue of $185.2 million and $122.7 million, respectively.
Caesars Atlantic City ranked at the bottom of the casino list with $49.2 million in total gaming revenue, including just $4,883 in internet gaming wins.
