Atlantic City, New Jersey's in-person casino revenue experienced another downturn this March to just $230.9 million, a decrease of nearly $8.9 million from last year, even after its record-breaking overall revenue went over $1.5 billion during the first quarter of the year. Despite the slight fall in in-person casino revenue, the iGaming sector in New Jersey continues to thrive.

Atlantic City's casino floors continued to experience a downturn in traditional gaming revenue this March, even as New Jersey's overall gaming industry celebrated its most lucrative first quarter in over a decade.

Data from the NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement shows decrease of nearly 4%

According to data released Wednesday by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, the nine casinos along the Atlantic City Boardwalk reported $230.9 million in revenue from in-person gamblers last month. That marks a 3.7% year-over-year decrease - nearly $8.9 million less than March of 2024 - and the second consecutive month of similar decline.

The slump was largely driven by a sharp 15% drop in table game revenue, which fell to $57.3 million. In contrast, revenue from physical slot machines showed modest growth, inching up 0.5% to $173.6 million.

Experts optimistic, driven by iGaming growth

Despite the dip, chairperson of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission James Plousis struck a cautiously optimistic tone. He noted that March 2025 still represented Atlantic City's second-strongest month for in-person gross gaming revenue in the past 12 years.

While retail gaming continues to wrestle with evolving player preferences and economic headwinds, iGaming has surged ahead, reshaping New Jersey's gaming landscape. Online casino revenue reached a new milestone in March, exceeding $243.9 million - a 24% increase from March 2024 and a new all-time high.

Favorable winds blow for digital slots, table games, and online poker

March marked the eighth consecutive month that iGaming revenue surpassed brick-and-mortar casino earnings, with digital slots and table games generating $241.3 million. Online poker contributed another $2.6 million. This sustained momentum demonstrates the growing appeal of online gambling in the Garden State, as more players turn to digital platforms for convenience and variety.

Meanwhile, sportsbooks had a less favorable month. March Madness didn't offer the same windfall for oddsmakers as in past years. Total sports betting revenue fell 20.5% year-over-year to $71.3 million, as underdog wins and surprising upsets in the NCAA men's basketball tournament proved costly for the books.

In total, New Jersey gamblers lost $546.12 million across all gaming platforms in March of 2025 - a 3.7% increase from last year, translating to roughly $19.5 million more in revenue for operators.

Thanks in large part to the explosive growth of iGaming, the state's overall gaming revenue soared past $1.58 billion in the first quarter of 2025. That's the strongest Q1 figure New Jersey has posted in over ten years.

Year-to-date, online gaming revenue is up 20%, reaching $673.3 million. In contrast, Atlantic City's in-person casino win is down nearly 2% to $644.4 million, while sports betting revenue has dipped 19% to $267.1 million.

Increased table game interaction

Interestingly, the decline in table game revenue appears to reflect player success more than waning interest. Plousis noted that March's drop in GGR from table games was driven by players getting lucky, not by a lack of engagement - a trend that could ease concerns about perceived unfairness or poor value on the casino floors.

Still, some Atlantic City visitors have voiced dissatisfaction in recent months, claiming that their gambling budgets don't stretch as far as they once did. Operators, meanwhile, are preparing for the busy summer season and working to improve the customer experience.

To support seasonal operations and drive service quality, the Casino Control Commission is hosting its eighth annual Casino Career Fair on April 24. More than 1,700 positions are available across all nine casinos, with hiring representatives scheduled to meet potential candidates between 9 am and 1 pm.

As Atlantic City navigates a more complex gaming environment, the contrast between digital growth and physical decline continues to shape the future of the industry - one where convenience, accessibility, and evolving player preferences are rewriting the rules of the game.