New Jersey’s gaming industry delivered yet another historic performance in 2025, setting a new annual revenue record and reinforcing its position as the nation’s second‑largest gaming market behind Nevada.
According to the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, total gross gaming revenue (GGR) from Atlantic City’s nine casinos, online casino platforms, and both retail and in‑person sports betting reached $6.98 billion last year. The figure represents a 10.8% increase over 2024—an annual jump of more than $683 million—and marks the fifth straight year of record‑setting gaming revenue in the Garden State.
James Plousis, chair of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission, said the industry’s continued growth has fueled broader economic benefits across the region. “A successful gaming industry benefits all of New Jersey. It has sparked investment in Atlantic City’s convention, tourism, and entertainment centers, creating jobs and producing new economic activity across South Jersey,” he noted.
State gaming taxes flowing into the Casino Revenue Fund—which supports programs for seniors and residents with disabilities—surpassed $1 billion in 2025.
iGaming Drives Growth as Land‑Based Casinos Deliver Mixed Results
Online casino gaming once again served as the engine of New Jersey’s gaming expansion. iGaming operators generated more than $2.91 billion in revenue, a 22% increase from 2024. December alone produced nearly $273.2 million, the highest monthly total in state history.
For the first time ever, online casinos collectively earned more revenue than Atlantic City’s nine brick‑and‑mortar casinos.
Land‑based casinos still posted gains overall. Despite a sluggish December that saw in‑person play fall nearly 7%, Atlantic City casinos reported $2.89 billion in 2025 GGR, up 2.7% year‑over‑year. Slot revenue rose 1.7% to $2.13 billion, while table games climbed 5.7% to $762.5 million.
However, performance varied widely by property:
Casinos with In‑Person Revenue Growth
- Borgata: $800.8M (+8.5%)
- Hard Rock: $550.8M (+1.1%)
- Ocean: $468.1M (+14.3%)
- Harrah’s: $225M (+0.5%)
Casinos with Declines
- Bally’s: $133M (‑8.5%)
- Golden Nugget: $135.8M (‑7.7%)
- Caesars: $203.8M (‑6.7%)
- Tropicana: $216.8M (‑4.9%)
- Resorts: $159.9M (‑1.2%)
Borgata remained the market leader by a wide margin, while Ocean posted the strongest percentage growth.
2026 Outlook: Growth Meets New Competitive Pressure
While Atlantic City managed to grow revenue in 2025, the road ahead is far from smooth. Three full‑scale casinos are expected to open in downstate New York—two in Queens and one in the Bronx—directly targeting a region that has long served as Atlantic City’s most important feeder market.
The extent of the impact remains uncertain, but analysts widely expect the New York properties to siphon off a meaningful share of Atlantic City’s visitation and gaming spend.
At the same time, rising labor costs and increased expenses for goods and services are squeezing margins, particularly for the city’s lower‑performing casinos. Properties such as Bally’s, which posted the steepest revenue decline in 2025, appear especially vulnerable in the coming years.
