LIGHT comments on the September 2026 casino numbers provided by the N.J. DGE

October 19, 2026

 

Comments from Brian Tyrrell, faculty director of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism (LIGHT), Stockton University School of Business, on September 2026 numbers released Monday by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement:

Internet gaming again led Atlantic City to another year-over-year increase in total gross gaming revenue for the month of September 2026. Perhaps aided by warmer weather that extended through the month, slot machine GGR increased 4.6% year-over-year in sharp contrast to August’s 5.1% year-over-year decrease and last September’s 1.8% year-over-year monthly decrease compared to September 2024 ($173,269,498). This, however, was not enough to prevent a year-over-year decrease in total brick-and-mortar gross gaming revenue for the month.

After a positive run from May through July 2026 – some of the best brick-and-mortar returns since 2011 – Atlantic City’s brick-and-mortar operations have seen a concerning shift in fortunes to one of the worst Septembers in recent history.

In addition to declines in brick-and-mortar gross gaming revenue for Atlantic City operators, sports betting statewide saw significant declines in both win and handle, especially for football (the largest share of sportsbook activity). This was largely due to a later start in the football season – only three weekends worth of games compared to four weekends in 2025. It may also have reflected the impact of sports wagers being placed with prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket.

If prediction markets are taking revenue off the board for regulated gaming operators in the state, we can expect to soon see (among other things) an impact on the state’s tax revenues and contributions to the Casino Revenue Fund, which exists to provide much needed services to some of New Jersey’s most vulnerable residents.