Online casinos in New Jersey continued their winning streak, setting yet another revenue record in March.
Data released by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement reveals that internet gambling brought in nearly $244 million—a significant leap from the $197 million recorded in March last year.
This rise marks a pivotal moment for the Atlantic City gaming industry, where online casino revenue has now surpassed that of traditional brick-and-mortar casinos for the second consecutive month.
Internet Gaming Surges Ahead in New Jersey
The numbers speak for themselves: March 2025 saw internet gaming win $243.9 million, a robust 23.7% increase from March 2024's $197.2 million.
Year-to-date figures emphasize this upward trend, with online casino revenue totaling $673.3 million through March 2025, reflecting a growth rate of 19.6% compared to the same period last year.
Decline in Casino Hotel Revenue
In stark contrast, the figures for the nine casino hotels in Atlantic City tell a different story.
Casino win was down to $230.9 million in March 2025, a 3.7% decrease from the $239.8 million reported in March 2024. Looking at the year-to-date numbers, we see a similar downward trend with revenue at $644.4 million through March 2025, dropping by 1.8% from the prior year.
Smoke-Free Casino Discussion Continues in New Jersey
All this is happening while lawmakers continue to discuss a smoking ban inside the casinos.
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop announced in April 2023 that he plans to run for Governor of New Jersey in 2025. If elected, he aims to work with lawmakers to eliminate the casino smoking loophole in the state's Smoke-Free Air Act.
According to Politico, among the candidates running for Governor in New Jersey, only Fulop, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, and GOP state Sen. Jon Bramnick have clearly backed a smoking ban. Other candidates have either opposed it or expressed support for a general consensus without providing many details.
The group Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) highlighted Fulop as the first candidate to support a smoke-free casino policy. Fulop stated his commitment to ensuring safe, smoke-free workplaces for all New Jersey workers.
Sports Wagering Takes a Hit
The sports wagering sector did not fare any better. Gross revenue from sports betting for casinos, racetracks, and their partners was $71.3 million in March 2025, marking a significant decline of 20.5% from the $89.7 million reported in March 2024.
Year-to-date, sports wagering revenue totaled $267.1 million through March 2025, representing an 18.6% decrease from the previous year.
Overall Gaming Revenue Sees Modest Growth
Despite the challenges in certain sectors, total gaming revenue across casinos, racetracks, and partnerships still saw a modest increase.
March 2025 revenue reached $546.1 million, representing a 3.7% increase from $526.6 million in March 2024. The year-to-date total gaming revenue hit $1.58 billion, edging up by 2.5% from $1.55 billion the previous year.
Tax Revenue on the Rise in the Garden State
The growth in online gaming revenue is also boosting tax revenue. Total gross revenue taxes were reported at $59.8 million for March 2025 and $175.2 million year-to-date. This increase in tax revenue further underscores the broader economic impact of a thriving online gaming sector.
As the data indicate, New Jersey's gaming landscape is rapidly evolving. While traditional casino revenues are slipping, the digital future is bright, with internet gambling leading the way in reshaping the industry.
