Casino Revenue in Atlantic City Remains Stable Amidst Rising Online Gambling Demand
Casino Woes in Atlantic City: A Brutal Winter and an Online Gambling Upsurge
The first two months of 2025 painted a somewhat gloomy picture for Atlantic City's casino scene, with a slight dip in revenue. The total haul for the casinos amounted to $413.7 million, a minuscule decrease of 0.7% compared to the previous year, as per the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement's data.
January's figures were particularly grim, at $203.5 million, marking a sobering 3.8% drop from the preceding year and a 3.1% fall from December 2024. Despite the rise in popularity of online gambling, the decrease is mainly attributed to fewer people opting for physical casinos.
Jane Bokunewicz, the director of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality, and Tourism at Stockton University, chalked up the situation to seasonal factors, explaining, "Less busy months for in-person patrons paved the way for an uptick in internet gaming activity."
Braving the Winter Storms and Sports Betting Woes
February 2025's weather conditions brought upon some chaos, causing disruptions in casino visitation and adding to the woes plaguing the physical venues. February 2024, on the other hand, saw comparatively dry weather, providing a conducive environment for in-person gaming.
Despite hopes of a boost from the Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl run, sports betting results were lackluster. Atlantic City's retail sportsbooks accumulated a respectable $39.3 million handle in February, but this represented a 14.7% decline from January. The figure, however, remained 3.7% higher than the same period in 2024. Meanwhile, New Jersey continued its dominance as the U.S. sports betting leader by recording a total handle of $168.7 million.
With $49.89 million in total gaming revenue, Borgata remained the king among individual properties. Ocean Casino followed with $32.39 million, trailed closely by Hard Rock with $41.87 million.
Hard Rock reported the highest income from table games, amassing $12.92 million, barely squeaking past Borgata's $12.13 million. Bally's took the second spot with $7.35 million. In the slot machines department, Borgata reigned supreme with $37.76 million, with Hard Rock in second place ($28.95 million) and Ocean Casino in third ($22.38 million).
Industry experts anticipate a revival for Atlantic City's casinos as spring and summer approach, with an increase in tourists and warmer temperatures likely to spur more in-person gaming, potentially undermining the prevalence of online platforms. However, it remains uncertain if retail casinos can reclaim their former glory.
Interesting Facts
- Online casino gambling revenue in New Jersey has surged significantly, outpacing brick-and-mortar casino revenue for the second consecutive month in March 2025.
- Atlantic City casinos may face competition from a potential New York City casino in the coming years, potentially drawing customers away from Atlantic City.
- The casino industry continues to experience the lingering economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which still influence consumer behavior and operational dynamics in the region.
Las Vegas, known for its vibrant casino culture, saw an unexpected trend as its casino-games revenue also dipped due to the harsh winter weather conditions experienced in February 2025.In the world of sports betting, sports-analysis experts are closely monitoring the impact of weather on the betting market, as unpredictable weather conditions can significantly affect the outcomes of sporting events.During the sports season, cable channels have been increasingly featuring segments on sports-betting, reflecting its growing popularity. To capitalize on this trend, Las Vegas has been enhancing its offerings, especially in sports-betting experiences at its casinos.Despite the growing interest in sports-betting, many casino industry experts maintain that the online gambling upsurge may continue to challenge the traditional brick-and-mortar casinos, just as it has in Atlantic City.
