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The basics:

• Internet gaming hit $235.2M in April, up 25.2% year-over-year
• Brick-and-mortar casino win fell 2.7%
• April marked the 4th time internet gaming topped in-person casino revenue

Internet gaming continues its surge in the Garden State.

Last month, the casinos and their partners reported an internet gaming win of $235.2 million (up 25.2% year-over-year).

“Internet gaming win continued to perform well in April, with it’s second-best monthly result on record and an eighth consecutive month of more than $200 million,” said New Jersey Casino Control Commission Chairman James Plousis in his remarks following the May 16 release of the April gaming report by the Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE). “The online gaming segment pushed New Jersey’s monthly total gaming revenue up 5%.”

On the flip side, brick-and-mortar figures fell year-over-year ($211 million reported by nine casinos – down 2.7% versus April 2024).

Jane Bokunewicz, faculty director of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality, and Tourism (LIGHT), Stock University School of Business said, “April continued a worrisome trend for Atlantic City‘s brick-and-mortar operators as internet gaming revenue surpassed traditional casino revenue for the third time in four months (and fourth time to date).”

She stressed this emerging dynamic further underlines the importance of operators’ investment in the in-person gaming experience.

“We can expect to see continued investment in live events, resort amenities, and other activities unique to the Atlantic City experience in an effort to entice patrons to make a visit to the destination, even if online gaming offerings remain popular,” said Bokunewicz.

“Lagging table game win translated into lower in-person casino win compared to the same month last year, despite stable visitation to Atlantic City,” said Plousis.

Other key details from the April report include:

• Total gaming revenue for casinos, racetracks and their partners: $536.6 million up 5%
• Total gross revenue taxes: $59.8 million
• Sports wagering gross revenue: $90.5 million down 14.8%
• Sports wagering handle: $994.4 million down 4.8%
• Top performing properties by casino win:
  • Borgata – $58.6 million up 0.3%
  • Hard Rock – $41.5 million up 1%
  • Ocean Casino – $30.6 million up 6%
• Top performing brands by internet gaming win:
  • FanDuel (Golden Nugget) – $52.9 million up 35.3%
  • DraftKings (Resorts) – $46.9 million up 19.5%
  • BetMGM (Borgata) – $29.6 million up 27.9%

Harsh reality

“With internet and sports gaming revenues included, casino licenses reported near-record single total month gross gaming revenue – however this landmark is overshadowed by the reality that much of this revenue is generated by internet operations and is more likely to benefit third-party operators,” said Bokunewicz. “At $210 million, brick-and-mortar gaming revenue totals for April 2025 were some of the worst single month returns in several years.”

Plousis noted one element that sets Atlantic City apart.

“Tourists who visit Atlantic City receive first-class service from dedicated workers in the casino hotels,” said Plousis. “Last week, I attended the CRDA’s ‘Host Awards,’ which acknowledged team members who provide exemplary service and outstanding hospitality. The enthusiasm of that celebration was remarkable – and it foreshadows a promising summer season.”

Bill Pascrell III, partner at PPAG, said New Jersey is the global benchmark for how to do gaming right – but success today doesn’t guarantee sustainability tomorrow.

“Policymakers must resist the temptation to view growth in iGaming as a free pass to overtax or overregulate the whole system,” Pascrell told NJBIZ, noting that iGaming’s explosive growth did not happen by accident. “It came from smart policy, open dialogue, and consistent innovation. That same approach is needed now, especially as sports wagering dips and casino revenue softens. The industry can’t afford complacency – and lawmakers can’t afford one-size-fits-all thinking.”

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 11:29 a.m. EST May 19, 2025, to include a statement from PPAG partner Bill Pascrell III.