August 2025
In LIGHT of the data.
August 2025’s monthly gross gaming revenues (GGR) came as a breath of fresh air for Atlantic City’s casino operators. The month not only outpaced August 2024 for brick-and-mortar, internet and total GGR but set new near-term, single-month revenue records for these segments.
Summer 2025 (June through August) compared favorably to prior years turning in near-term record total GGR for the period at $1.73 billion — a more than 15% increase over Summer 2024 at $1.5 billion. Summer brick-and-mortar numbers followed a similar trend improving nearly 6% in June-August 2025 ($855.1 million) compared to June-August 2024 ($810.5 million).
Early this year, concern was raised when internet gaming revenues exceeded brick-and-mortar. The peak summer season in Atlantic City seems to have reversed that trend with June through August revenue at the slots and tables exceeding internet gaming revenue by more than $125 million.
Summer returns seem to have gotten year-to-date revenues back on track after a slow start to the year. Operators will be facing fall and winter 2025 with a 2.8% year-over-year cushion, which is a stark contrast to August 2024 when operators lagged year-to-date August 2023 ($1.93 billion) by -0.2%.
It is too soon to say if summer headwinds will carry the industry to year-end GGR growth and what impact this will have on the industry’s bottom line in terms of net revenues and the only too important gross operating profit.
Atlantic City Gaming Win & Total Casino Revenue
Source: N.J. Division of Gaming Enforcement
| Monthly Revenue (Casino Licensees, $ In Thousands |
August 2025 |
% Change from Prior Year | August 2024 | YTD
2025 |
% Change from Prior Year | YTD 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casino Gaming Win | $311,913 | 6.1% | $294,040 | $1,975,741 | 2.8% | $1,922,475 |
| Internet Gaming Win | $248,373 | 25.2% | $198,378 | $1,881,624 | 23.5% | $1,523,384 |
| Sports Wagering Revenue* | $46,919 | 23.1% | $36,084 | $401,544 | 36.7% | $293,705 |
| Total Gaming Win (includes Internet & Sports Wagering) | $607,205 | 14.9% | $528,502 | $4,258,909 | 13.9% | $3,739,901 |
| Quarterly Revenue (Industry, $ In Millions)** | Q2 2025 | % Change from Prior Year | Q2 2024 | YTD June 30, 2025 | % Change from Prior Year | YTD June 30, 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casino | $425.80 | 2.9% | $423.66 | $815.79 | -1.9% | $831.40 |
| Rooms | $175.68 | -3.8% | $182.70 | $313.26 | -5.3% | $330.82 |
| Food & Beverage | $139.44 | -3.6% | $144.58 | $262.49 | -4.3% | $274.67 |
| Entertainment & Other | $218.38 | 145.8% | $88.83 | $298.09 | 82.7% | $163.20 |
| Casino Licensees Total Net Revenue | $837.15 | 0.9% | $829.76 | $1,567.49 | -2.0% | 1,599.69 |
| Gross Operating Profit (GOP) | 184.25 | 3.3% | $178.38 | $320.67 | -3.9% | $333.78 |
* Data as reported in New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement Monthly Financial Reports for individual licensees for respective months. May not match Monthly Press Releases and Statistical Summaries.
** Data agregated from New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement Quarterly Financial Reports for individual properties. May not match totals from Quarterly Press Releases and Statistical Summaries, which represent a 'snapshot' of data at the time of publication and are not retroactively updated.
Atlantic City Hotel Lodging
Source: N.J. Division of Gaming Enforcement
| Casino Hotel Lodging Statistics For the Period Ended June 30, 2025 & 2024 |
Q2 2025 | Q2 2024 | YTD 2025 | YTD 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupancy percentage | 72.6% | 73.3% | 67.8% | 69.1% |
| Average Daily Room Rate (ADR) | $174.31 | $178.55 | $167.30 | $171.83 |
| Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR)* | $126.46 | $130.88 | $113.43 | $118.73 |
* RevPAR= ADR X Occupancy Percentage
Atlantic City Casino Operator Taxes & Fees
Source: N.J. Division of Gaming Enforcement
Total Paid Taxes & Fees |
223,988,000 | 207,872,000 | 7.8% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Taxes & Fees |
Q2 2025 | Q2 2024 | % | |||
|
Casino Gaming Gross Revenue Tax |
$45,474,125 | 45,303,000 | 0.4% | |||
|
Internet Gaming Gross Revenue Tax |
106,943,142 | 85,137,000 | 25.6% | |||
|
Sports Wagering - Retail Gross Revenue Tax (includes racetracks) |
763,898 | 460,000 | 66.1% | |||
|
Sports Wagering - Internet Gross Revenue Tax (includes racetracks) |
36,085,737 | 31,483,000 | 14.6% | |||
| Investment Alternative Tax/CRDA Obligations | 27,014,854 | 22,940,000 | 17.8% | |||
| 1.25% Additional Tax | 2,039,459 | 1,195,000 | 70.7% | |||
| 1.25% EDT | 1,526,451 | 1,899,000 | -19.6% | |||
| Luxury Tax | n/a | 12,497,000 | n/a | |||
| Tourism Promotion Fee | n/a | 2,264,000 | n/a | |||
| Hotel Room Fee | 3,021,093 | 3,070,000 | -1.6% | |||
| Hotel Room Surcharge | 2,014,062 | 2,047,000 | -1.6% | |||
| Parking Fees | 4,140,510 | 4,694,000 | -11.8% | |||
Atlantic City Casino Operator Spending
Source: Casino Association of New Jersey - Member Reported
| Total | $151,257,000 | $148,336,000 | 1.97% | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Purchase of Goods and Services From New Jersey Vendors(By County) |
Q1 2025 | Q1 2024 | % | ||
| Atlantic | $83,617,000 | $94,291,000 |
-11.32% |
||
| Bergen | $2,307,000 | $2,548,000 | -8.28% | ||
| Burlington | $2,965,000 | $3,343,000 | -11.31% | ||
| Camden | $4,212,000 | $5,451,000 | -22.73% | ||
| Cape May | $2,691,000 | $2,280,000 | 17.99% | ||
| Cumberland | $4,852,000 | $5,795,000 | -16.27% | ||
| Essex | $11,560,000 | 10,862,000 | 6.43% | ||
| Gloucester | 2,262,000 | 2,217,000 | 2.07% | ||
| Hudson | $435,000 | $541,000 | -19.58% | ||
| Hunterdon | $4,000 | $12,000 | -65.02% | ||
| Mercer | $4,488,000 | $3,764,000 | 35.83% | ||
| Middlesex | $4,484,000 | $3,764,000 | 19.13% | ||
| Monmouth | $3,471,000 | $2,678,000 | 29.61% | ||
| Morris | $1,931,000 | $892,000 | 116.54% | ||
| Ocean | $985,000 | $1,698,000 | -41.96% | ||
| Passaic | $1,788,000 | $1,083,000 | 65.12% | ||
| Salem | $87,000 | $81,000 | 8.40% | ||
| Somerset | $2,194,000 | $2,220,000 | -1.16% | ||
| Sussex | $3,000 | $4,000 | -19.91% | ||
| Union | $16,917,000 | $5,271,000 | 220.96% | ||
| Warren | $4,000 | $5,000 | -17.43% | ||
Other Spending |
Q1 2025 | Q1 2024 | % | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital Expenditures | $37,731,000 | $42,769,000 | -11.78% | |||
| PILOT Contributions (Includes PILOT & additional payments under PILOT legislation) | $29,189,000 | $28,616,000 | 2.00% | |||
| CRDA Special Improvement District | $298,000 | $323,000 | -7.76% | |||
| Municipal/Atlantic City Fees- Water | $1,451,000 | $908,00 | 59.75% | |||
| Municipal/Atlantic City Fees- Sewer | $2,620,000 | $2,584,000 | 1.43% | |||
|
Municipal/Atlantic City Fees- Other (permits, boardwalk seating, mercantile etc.) |
$437,000 | $494,000 | -11.64% | |||
| Charitable Contributions | $161,691 | $273,239 | -40.82% | |||
Total Spending |
$223,145,000 | $224,305,000 | -0.52% |
|---|
Atlantic City Statistical Transportation Data
Source: South Jersey Transportation Authority
| Travel Mode | July 2025 |
July 2024 |
Change from Prior Year |
YTD 2025 |
YTD 2024 |
Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC Expressway | ||||||
| Total Toll-Paying Traffic Pleasantville Toll Plaza |
1,896,494 | 1,923,114 | -1.4% | 10,122,759 | 10,487,613 | -3.5% |
| AC Airport | ||||||
| Scheduled Service Passengers | 68,030 | 78,568 | -13.4% | 429,238 | 563,991 | -23.9% |
| Charter Passengers | 11,475 | 12,567 | -8.7% | 60,714 | 69,196 | -12.3% |
| Total Air Passengers | 79,505 | 91,135 | -12.8% | 489,952 | 633,187 | -22.6% |
Atlantic City Meetings and Conventions Data
Source: Vist Atlantic City
| August '25 | August '24 | % Change from Prior Year |
TOTAL 2025 YTD |
TOTAL 2024 YTD |
% Change from Prior Year |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventions/Tradeshows/Meetings1 | ||||||
| # of Shows | 2 | 1 | 100% | 48 | 39 | 23% |
| # of Room Nights | 2,411 | 784 | 208% | 80,436 | 69,013 | 17% |
| # of Attendees3 | 4,204 | 3,500 | 20% | 335,035 | 310,759 | 8% |
| Delegate Spending | $2,606,717 | $725,365 | 259% | $87,733,155 | $71,277,836 | 23% |
| Boardwalk Hall Bookings | ||||||
| # of Shows | 1 | 1 | 0% | 24 | 24 | 0% |
| # of Attendees | 10,309 | 120 | 8,491% | 124,120 | 111,004 | 12% |
| Hotel Bookings | ||||||
| # of Shows | 6 | 6 | 0% | 110 | 98 | 12% |
| # of Room Nights | 8,314 | 5,595 | 49% | 95,843 | 76,739 | 25% |
| # of Attendees | 8,644 | 5,464 | 58% | 167,225 | 97,230 | 72% |
| Delegate Spending | $5,018,703 | $3,683,709 | 36% | $71,442,146 | $49,660,989 | 44% |
| Monthly Totals | ||||||
| # Convs_Trade_Mtgs / Boardwalk Hall / Hotel | 9 | 8 | 13% | 182 | 161 | 13% |
| # of Room Nights | 10,725 | 6,379 | 68% | 176,279 | 145,752 | 21% |
| # of Attendees | 23,157 | 9,084 | 155% | 626,380 | 518,993 | 21% |
| Delegate Spending | $7,625,420 | $4,409,074 | 73% | $159,175,301 | $120,938,825 | 32% |
1Includes Visit Atlantic City events booked at Boardwalk Hall
3Variance in attendance numbers due to revisions in calculating and tracking methods
Atlantic City Information
Atlantic City secures funding to finish paving Atlantic Avenue, make other improvements - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, the city will receive $17.3 million in funding to repave Atlantic Avenue and make other improvements. Of the $17.3 million, $10.3 million is coming from the federal government, while the other $7 million was provided by eight grants the resort acquired. In addition to the paving, Atlantic Avenue will receive 200 new pedestrian lights, disabled access at each intersection and signs to help residents and visitors navigate the resort.
Concerns raised over number of cannabis dispensaries in Atlantic City - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, with 15 dispensaries in Atlantic City (and plans underway for two more), there is a growing concern that there are more businesses than the market can sustain.
New shuttle service will connect Vineland Transportation Center and the Atlantic City Bus Terminal - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, starting this fall, a state-run shuttle bus between Vineland and Atlantic City will help workers get to their jobs in casinos and other businesses.
Several residential redevelopment plans proposed for Atlantic City - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, recent redevelopment plans put forward for Atlantic City include a proposal by developer K. Hovnanian to build 159 new townhomes in the South Inlet neighborhood. According to Planning Director Jacques A. Howard, the city is working with "specific developers on several sites." After years of struggling to attract developers, Howard now sees momentum.
The William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University and The Press of Atlantic City to host 2nd District Assembly debate - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University and The Press of Atlantic City will co-sponsor a debate Oct. 21 between the candidates for state Assembly in the 2nd Legislative District.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) takes possession of Atlantic City Housing Authority - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City on Aug. 11, HUD has taken over operation of the city's housing authority. The authority was determined to be in substantial default, necessitating federal intervention. HUD has since released a five-year plan. As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, the plan "outlined several paths for modernizing and improving the troubled agency’s operations and substandard dwellings through a mix of public and private methods, but cautioned the solution may come down to finances."
New Jersey Gaming News
Atlantic City casinos invest millions in capital improvements including invisible, but critical, infrastructure - In remarks published by The Press of Atlantic City, president of the Casino Association of New Jersey and of Resorts Casino Hotel Mark Giannantonio said that since 2020 "the Atlantic City casino industry has spent more than $1 billion on revitalizing its properties." These capital improvements projects include "critical behind-the-scenes infrastructure that keeps our properties running at peak performance."
Governor signs sweepstakes gambling ban - According to an Aug.15 news release from the office of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, the governor signed a bill (A-5447/S-4282) that "prohibits sweepstakes model of wagering; establishes new penalties for unlawful gambling operations and practices; directs Division of Consumer Affairs and Division of Gaming Enforcement to enforce penalties" into law. Further reporting from The Press of Atlantic City.
New Jersey Casino Control Commission releases 2024 annual report - The Casino Control commission has released the Annual Report for 2024. New Jersey's total gaming revenue for the year ended December 2024 was nearly $6.3 billion beating 2023's record by 9%. Notably, casino hotels purchased $578 million in goods and services from 950 New Jersey-based businesses in 2024. This represented more than half of the casino industry’s total spending in 2024. Combined salaries for the casino hotel labor force of more than 21,700 New Jersey residents totaled nearly $740 million.
National Gaming News
American Gaming Association (AGA) releases research on 'sports event contracts' - According to a Sept. 10 news release, new AGA research finds that Americans recognize sports event contracts offered through prediction markets as gambling, not financial instruments. 80% of those surveyed believed sports event contracts should be regulated like online sports betting. Read the Full Report.
American Gaming Association (AGA) reports illegal sports betting market shrinking in face of legal options - According to a report released by the AGA - SIZING THE ILLEGAL AND UNREGULATED GAMING MARKETS IN THE UNITED STATES - illegal sportsbooks presently control 33% of total market handle. This represents a decrease compared to 2022 when the AGA estimates illegal books controlled a 40% share of total market handle. Revenue for illegal operators, an estimated $5 billion, or approximately 24% of total market revenue, was down from the approximately 36% of market share that they controlled in 2022. Despite these declines, AGA estimates states have seen $1 billion in lost gaming tax revenue over the past year due to illegal operators. Coverage from Legal Sports Report and The Press of Atlantic City.
Attorneys General ask the Department of Justice (DOJ) for help cracking down on illegal online casino and sports betting sites - In a letter dated Aug. 4, 50 state Attorneys General requested assistance from the DOJ to "address the rampant spread of illegal offshore gaming operations across the United States." The letter provides a path forward for enforcement and concludes with a request for cooperation. Additional coverage by Legal Sports Report.
California poll finds residents open to legalizing sports betting - According to Legal Sports Report, a recent survey of 1,400 people conducted by Politico–Citrin Center–Possibility Lab found that 60% of registered voters were 'open' to legalizing sports betting in the state of California. Supporters of sports betting continue pushing to have legalization go to a state vote. Sports betting was rejected the last time it was on the ballot in 2022. The earliest it could be voted on again would likely be 2026.
Consumer advocacy group, The National Consumers League (NCL), publishes report on Mobile Sports Betting Ads - As reported by Play NJ, NCL, a consumer advocacy organization, has published a report titled "Pushing Addiction: The Use of Push Notifications to Advertise Sports Betting." The organization, after compiling notifications sent from FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM in March and April 2025, found that 93% of notifications contained advertising material and 62% contained language urging the user to place a bet.
DraftKings will no longer allow customers to use credit cards - According to Legal Sports Report, on Aug. 25 DraftKings removed credit cards as a valid deposit option for sportsbook and casino play in the United States. "The move underscores a broader shift in U.S. sports betting toward limiting credit-funded play, a trend that could accelerate as more lawmakers and regulators weigh consumer protections."
FanDuel to partner with CME Group to enter predictions market - According to an Aug. 20 news release from FanDuel parent company Flutter, FanDuel will partner with CME Group to "launch new products and expand access to financial markets for millions of FanDuel customers in the United States." No mention of sports betting was made in the release. Additional coverage from Legal Sports Report.
Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) announces expansion to advertising rules for gaming operators - According to an Aug. 4 news release, the IGB has "adopted new rules that expand existing restrictions on advertising, marketing and promotions for licensed casino, video gaming, and sports wagering operators." The new rules also include a ban on advertising on college campuses and additional provisions to protect young people and problem gamblers. Additional reporting from Casino.org.
Kalhi, despite legal challenges, expands football predictions markets - According to Legal Sports Report, Kalshi has expanded its predictions markets for both college and NFL football. The company will offer spread, totals and touchdown props, competing with regulated sports books.
NBA, Players' Union support restrictions on certain prop bets - According to Legal Sports Report, the NBA and its players' union are speaking out against prop bets highlighting how ripe prop betting is for manipulation. Critics warn that banning prop bets entirely may push gamblers to the unregulated market, with the American Gaming Association noting that the regulated market made it possible to flag and report unusual betting behavior, exposing recent betting scandals.
Hospitality & Tourism News
Allegiant Travel Company announces expansion of airline network with flights connecting Atlantic City, New Jersey, via Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) with four Florida airports, Spirit announces bankruptcy filing - In an Aug. 13 news release Allegiant announced that they would connect Florida and Atlantic City, New Jersey, with new routes. Additional reporting from The Press of Atlantic City and NJBiz. The Associated Press reported August 29 that Spirit Airlines had again filed for bankruptcy protection months after emerging from a Chapter 11 reorganization. Further reporting from The Press of Atlantic City.
Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA), staff of Cape May-Lewes Ferry tell Lower Township Council they may seek hotel developer for ferry terminal - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, the DRBA may soon release an RFP seeking a developer to establish a boutique hotel at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal. Additional reporting from NJ.com and Cape May County Herald.
Las Vegas Strip ends four-month decline in gross gaming revenue with 1% year-over-year increase in June - As reported by Casino.org, after four consecutive months (February - May 2025) of year-over-year gross gaming revenue declines, casino operators on the Las Vegas Strip realized a 0.9% increase in June 2025 compared to June 2024. Statewide Nevada gross gaming revenue was up 3.5% in June 2025 compared to June 2024 and over the past 12 months (July 2024-June 2025) the industry is down almost 1% compared to the same period last year (July 2023 - June 2024).
Leading Canadian travel agency reports drop in U.S. bookings for fifth consecutive month - As reported by Casino.org, Flight Centre Canada, a leading travel agency in Canada, reported that booking to destinations like California, Florida and New York dropped for a fifth straight month. U.S. destinations were said to be “taking a backseat” to “lifestyle-driven travel choices.” Tariffs, trade uncertainty, the weaker Canadian dollar and “appetite for something fresh” were cited as reasons for the decline in Canadian travel to U.S. destinations.
New Jersey's first licensed recreational marijuana consumption lounges open in Merchantville and Atlantic City - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, Merchantville’s Gynsyng Dispensary and Atlantic City’s High Rollers and SunnyTien dispensaries have opened the East Coast’s first licensed recreational marijuana consumption lounges. High Rollers, located at the Claridge Hotel, might face challenges as developers consider a project for an adjacent parking lot, according to additional reporting from The Press Of Atlantic City.
LIGHT Snapshots is a publication of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality & Tourism, Stockton University School of Business
Jane Bokunewicz, Ph. D., Faculty Director and Professor of Hospitality
