The nine casinos in Atlantic City have made significant bets on the upcoming summer of 2026, pouring nearly $200 million into renovations and enhancements over the past year. However, as the peak tourism season begins, these investments have not yet resulted in a notable increase in gaming revenue.
According to the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, casino revenue for June reached $257.3 million, reflecting a slight decrease of 0.7% compared to June 2025. While slots performed admirably, with a gross gaming revenue (GGR) increase of 1.7% totaling $186 million, table games experienced a downturn, falling 6.4% to $71.3 million.
Five casinos, including the frontrunner Borgata, reported year-over-year declines in GGR. Borgata’s earnings dropped by 5.9% to $72.2 million, marking a decrease of over $4.5 million.
Bally’s saw a decline of 7.7%, Golden Nugget dropped 10.3%, Ocean showed a minor 0.2% decrease, while Resorts faced a significant fall of 9.1%.
In contrast, Caesars Entertainment’s three properties emerged as the winners, with Harrah’s climbing by 15.7%, Tropicana up by 8.5%, and Caesars increasing by 8.1%. Hard Rock also stayed in the positive territory, albeit by a slim margin of 0.9%.
Atlantic City Market Overview
Atlantic City is gearing up for intensified competition in the coming years, with three new casinos featuring slot machines and live dealer table games set to open in New York City. The effects of these establishments in Queens and the Bronx are yet to be determined, but Atlantic City has proactively invested in the upcoming battle for customers from North Jersey and downstate New York.
Although June’s in-person casino revenue showed a slight year-over-year dip, James Plousis, chair of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission, noted that the $257.3 million figure still represents the second-highest June revenue in the last 14 years.
“In the first half of 2026, casino winnings have surpassed $1.4 billion at a pace faster than any year since 2012, and with the contribution of statewide online gaming and sports wagering, total gaming revenue has reached $3.5 billion earlier than in any prior year.”
New Jersey Casino Control Commission Chair James Plousis.
iGaming continued its upward trend in June, as online casino platforms reported GGR exceeding $271 million—an increase of $40.3 million compared to June 2025. Online gaming revenue has now outpaced in-person casino revenue for the past 10 months.
FanDuel, partnering with Golden Nugget, leads the iGaming sector in New Jersey, contributing $62.5 million of the June GGR. Meanwhile, DraftKings, in collaboration with Resorts, secured a distant second at $47.1 million.
Challenges in Sports Betting
June sportsbook revenue totaled $57.2 million, indicating a sharp decline of 37.7% year-over-year, equating to a loss of $34.6 million. Oddsmakers are encountering fewer bets in 2026, with the year-to-date handle decreasing nearly 10%, which is $386.3 million lower.
This downturn occurs despite the U.S. preparing to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the Meadowlands in North Jersey set to host this Sunday’s final match between Argentina and Spain.
From January to June 2026, sportsbook revenue—the amount kept after paying winners—reached $917.2 million, down 7.1% or $39 million compared to the previous year.