The basics:

• Total Atlantic City gaming revenue reached record $678.1M in July 2026
• Last month’s revenue increased 11% year over year
• Internet gaming posted new monthly record
• AC continues to draw tourists: NYC-Atlantic City bus ridership rose 21%

The high-point of summer coincided with brick-and-mortar success in Atlantic City in July, with the most recent figures indicating on-site gaming gross revenue posted its best single-month since August 2025.

Beyond that, the total also signified the second highest return in more than 10 years, according to the latest New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement data released Aug. 14.

Total gaming revenue for casinos, racetracks and their partners reached $678.1 million for July 2026. The figure represents 11% growth in that month versus the year prior. Meanwhile, wins across casino, internet gaming and sports wagering all also reported increases over July 2025.

Year-to-date total gaming revenue hit $4.20 billion through July, posting 6.9% growth compared with the prior year-to-date period:

Casino hotels

• $304.2 million win +7.1% vs. July 2025
• $1.72 billion year-to-date win vs. +3.1% same period last year

Internet gaming

• $276.9 million win +12% over July 2025
• $1.87 billion year-to-date win +14.5%  over same period last year

Sports wagering

• $97 million win +29,7% over July 2025
• $609.9 million year-to-date win vs. same period last year -2.7% 

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City and Ocean Casino boasted the highest casino win in July 2026:

• Borgata: $59.52 million +6.5%
• Hard Rock: $42.40 million +6.2%
• Ocean Casino Resort: $34.95 million +8.5%

Caesars showed the biggest improvement in the category, gaining 14.1% over July 2025.

In its overview of the latest data, the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism – LIGHT – at Stockton University School of Business said Atlantic City operators noted disruptions did not adversely impact operators.

Despite an early morning fire July 27 at Ocean Casino Resort, LIGHT said operators achieved a 7% year-over-year gross gaming increase over the month prior. It notes overflow tourism volume resulting from an influx of visitors for last month’s World Cup events could have helped boost the numbers.

Sportsbooks may also have benefited from the world’s, so-called, largest sporting event. LIGHT highlighted a 33% y-o-y increase for casino operators in July. Plus, the figure was up 92% versus June 2026.

“All this while internet gaming continued its double-digit increases, realizing a new single month gross revenue record,” said LIGHT Faculty Director Brian Tyrrell in his overview. “It almost goes without saying that amid these gains Atlantic City Operators again set a record for single-month total gross gaming revenue.”

It almost goes without saying that amid these gains Atlantic City Operators again set a record for single-month total gross gaming revenue.
— Brian Tyrrell, faculty director, LIGHT, Stockton University

Total gross revenue taxes were $92.2 million for July 2026 and $592.7 million for year-to-date through July 2026.

However, Tyrrell cautioned, “As we have learned from experience, such high returns on gross gaming revenues do not always translate to net gaming revenue gains and gross operating profits. Costs of doing business continue to increase and other pressures on the industry may suppress the overall profitability of Atlantic City’s casinos.”

Taking the trip

Atlantic City has attracted a growing number of tourists making the trip from New York City, according to data from intercity transportation platform OurBus.

The platform reported 6,800 passengers traveled the OurBus New York City-Atlantic City route between late May and mid-July, a 21% increase over the same period last year. While ridership was up, the average fare declined 4% to $35.83, OurBus said. Among travelers, 90% that booked round trip tickets returned at a later date.

“Atlantic City has been one of our strongest-performing leisure destinations this summer,” said Axel Hellman, co-founder of OurBus. “We’ve seen strong demand from travelers looking for an affordable weekend trip within easy reach of New York City, whether they’re heading to the beach, a concert, or one of Atlantic City’s casino resorts.”