New Jersey Gaming Revenue Slips 4.1% in August as Online Growth Cools
New Jersey’s gaming industry posted $615.7 million in total revenue in August 2026, according to figures released by the state Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE), a decline of 4.1% compared to the same month last year. The result marks a reversal from a record-setting July and underscores growing pressure on both Atlantic City’s brick-and-mortar casinos and the state’s online sports betting operators.
A Softer Month Across the Board
Casino win for Atlantic City’s nine casino hotels totaled $294.9 million in August, down from $311.9 million in August 2025, when the market recorded its strongest August performance since 2012. Only Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa reported year-over-year growth in gross gaming revenue from in-person play, according to the DGE report.
Internet gaming remained the sole vertical to post an increase, with online casino revenue reaching $259.3 million. However, the 4.4% year-over-year growth rate was the slowest monthly expansion the state’s iGaming market has recorded, suggesting that the segment’s rapid ascent may be approaching a plateau. Sports wagering revenue also declined compared to the prior year, contributing to the overall monthly shortfall.
The August results follow an exceptionally strong July, during which Atlantic City operators posted a record $678.1 million in gaming revenue, an 11% increase over July 2025. The dip is therefore measured against elevated recent benchmarks rather than against a weakening market overall.
Broader Context: Revenue Up, Margins Tightening
The monthly figures arrive amid a more nuanced financial picture for the industry. In the first half of 2026, net revenue at New Jersey’s casino properties grew 0.2% to $1.57 billion, yet gross operating profit fell 15.5% to $269.6 million. Rising labor, insurance, and operational costs have continued to compress margins even as top-line revenue held largely steady.
Operators are also absorbing a higher tax burden. In mid-2025, state officials raised the tax rate on internet gaming and mobile sports wagering to 19.75%, a change that has added to the cost pressures facing online operators while increasing revenue flowing to state coffers.
Competitive Headwinds
The slowdown in land-based revenue reflects challenges that have persisted across the Atlantic City market, including competition from neighboring states and changing consumer behavior. The sluggish August also coincided with a broader pattern in the region, as New York’s sportsbooks similarly reported declining handle and revenue for the month ahead of the football season.
On the regulatory front, the DGE has continued to refine market oversight, including recent changes to sports wagering reporting and the introduction of a new responsible gaming framework requiring operators to follow a structured process when patrons are flagged for concerning behavior.
