Atlantic City’s nine casinos struggled to see a payoff from their large investments last year. Having poured nearly $200 million into renovations and upgrades, the hope was that the 2026 summer season would boost gaming revenue. But early returns have been disappointing. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement reported June revenue at $257.3 million—a 0.7% decrease from June 2025.
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Mixed Performance Among Casinos
Slot machines provided a silver lining, with gross gaming revenue (GGR) rising 1.7% to $186 million. However, table games didn’t fare as well, experiencing a 6.4% drop to $71.3 million. Five casinos reported year-over-year GGR declines, including market leader Borgata, which saw a major 5.9% drop to $72.2 million. Bally’s, Golden Nugget, Ocean, and Resorts also reported decreases, with Resorts taking the hardest hit at 9.1%. But conversely, Caesars Entertainment’s trio of properties bucked the trend. Still, harrah’s posted an impressive 15.7% increase, while Tropicana rose by 8.5%, and Caesars was up 8.1%. Hard Rock also showed slight growth with a 0.9% increase.
Upcoming Competition Looms
Atlantic City is prepping for fresh competition. Three new casinos are set to open in New York City, introducing slot machines and live dealer table games. The impact of these new entrants in Queens and the Bronx remains to be seen, but it’s a clear challenge for Atlantic City’s market. Still, the $257.3 million in June revenue marked the second-best June result in 14 years, according to James Plousis, chair of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission. Still, through the first half of 2026, casino win surpassed $1.4 billion faster than any year since 2012. Thanks to online gaming and sports betting, total gaming revenue hit $3.5 billion earlier than ever before. Industry data shows that iGaming continues to be a bright spot, with online platforms reporting over $271 million in GGR for June, a $40.3 million increase year-over-year.
Sports Betting Slump
June saw a major dip in sports betting, with revenue down 37.7% compared to last year. This amounts to a $34.6 million deficit. Oddsmakers are fielding fewer wagers, with the 2026 handle down nearly 10%, or $386.3 million. This decline is surprising given the U.S. hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighted by Sunday’s final at the Meadowlands between Argentina and Spain. Despite these challenges, sportsbook revenue totaled $917.2 million from January through June, a 7.1% decline or a $39 million drop from the previous year.
Looking Ahead
What comes next? Operators are eyeing how new competition will shape the market while hoping capital improvements start drawing more visitors. For now, the industry waits to see if the tide will turn as the summer progresses. The New Jersey Casino Control Commission will be watching closely as revenues unfold through the rest of 2026.
Eri Gaitu leads the news desk at Best in Slot, tracking breaking developments across the gambling world in real time. From exclusive bonus offers and casino launches to licensing updates and regulatory shifts, Eri ensures readers are always first to know about the changes that matter to their gaming experience.
