Slots and Casino Payouts 101

Casinos in Atlantic City are feeling the pressure once again, as the latest report from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement has revealed that onsite casino gaming revenue has gone down this April. Physical casino revenue has continued its decline, showing a 2.7% decrease from April of last year, and this amounted to a loss of nearly $6 million. Meanwhile, iGaming revenue continues to grow by leaps and bounds.

Atlantic City's nine casinos continue to face headwinds, with the latest revenue figures from April 2025 showing a nearly 3% decline in brick-and-mortar gaming performance compared to the same month last year. As the traditional casino industry in New Jersey grapples with reduced in-person activity and dwindling sports betting revenue, the steady rise of online gaming provides a rare bright spot.

In-person casino revenue drops yet again

According to data released Friday by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, gross gaming revenue from Atlantic City's physical casinos totaled $211 million in April, down 2.7% year-over-year. This equates to a loss of approximately $5.9 million from April of 2024.

The drop was driven largely by a sharp decline in table game earnings. Dealers retained just under $48.8 million from players' wagers - a drop of $9.3 million or nearly 16%. Slot machines fared better, with revenue increasing 2.1% to $162.2 million, but not enough to offset the broader decline.

So far in 2025, retail casino revenue has lagged behind 2024’s pace. From January through April, Atlantic City's casinos have collectively earned 2% less than during the same period last year, translating to $17.5 million less in revenue from in-person gambling.

Sportsbooks see fewer bets, lower profits

Atlantic City's brick-and-mortar casinos aren't alone in their struggles. Sports betting revenue in New Jersey is also on the decline. From January to April 2025, total sports wagers amounted to $4.2 billion - a billion dollars less than the $5.2 billion bet during the same timeframe in 2024.

Oddsmakers won a total of $90.5 million in April, a 15% decrease compared to April 2024, when they earned $106.2 million. So far this year, sportsbooks' total revenue stands at $357.6 million, down 18% - or $76.6 million - compared to this point last year.

Analysts suggest several potential reasons for the decline: increased competition from offshore operators offering better odds, economic constraints curbing discretionary spending, and possibly the success of responsible gaming initiatives encouraging more cautious betting behavior.

Online casinos continue to thrive

While Atlantic City's casinos and sportsbooks stumble, New Jersey's iGaming sector remains a powerhouse. In April alone, online casino platforms raked in $235.2 million, up 25% from the previous year - a gain of $47.2 million.

Year to date, the iGaming sector has generated more than $908.4 million in revenue, representing a 21% increase over 2024. The bulk of that growth has come from online table games, slots, and poker, demonstrating the increasing shift in consumer preference toward digital gambling platforms.

All eyes on summer recovery

Industry stakeholders are now pinning their hopes on the summer season, traditionally Atlantic City's busiest time of year. With thousands of visitors expected to descend on the coastal resort from Philadelphia, New York, and North Jersey, casinos are hopeful for a revenue rebound.

Beach restoration projects along the northern end of the Boardwalk have improved public spaces, and local officials believe this could enhance the city's appeal. James Plousis, chair of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission, praised the city's hospitality workforce and expressed optimism for the months ahead.

"Tourists who visit Atlantic City receive first-class service from dedicated workers in the casino hotels," said Plousis. The enthusiasm shown at the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority's 'Host Awards' foreshadows a promising summer season, he added.

Competitive pressures loom

Looking further ahead, Atlantic City may face even stiffer competition. New York is expected to announce the locations of three new big-time casinos in the near future. With full-scale gaming - including slots, table games, and sports betting - these venues could divert traffic from Atlantic City as they draw patrons from densely populated regions closer to home.

With that in mind, the next few summers may prove pivotal for Atlantic City’s long-term viability. Casinos must not only capitalize on seasonal tourism but also refine their value propositions to retain regional gamblers as new options emerge.

Caesars Entertainment has done it again: on the heels of its newest NBA-themed slot game, NBA Triple Double Power Combo, and the recent launch of the Caesars Palace Signature Multihand Blackjack Surrender, comes its latest live dealer game with another NBA theme. The new live dealer blackjack game is available for players in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia, and it features an NBA felt table designed like a basketball court.

Fans of the NBA and online gaming alike have something new to cheer about. Caesars Entertainment has unveiled a brand-new live dealer blackjack experience, blending the excitement of professional basketball with the thrill of casino gaming. The new NBA Blackjack Live Dealer Game is now available on Caesars Sportsbook & Casino and Caesars Palace Online Casino, offering a courtside seat to the action - without ever leaving your home.

Thanks to a partnership with the National Basketball Association, Caesars has introduced a 3:2 blackjack game that not only delivers traditional card action but also immerses players in an NBA-themed environment. The release of this game follows closely on the heels of another recent launch - Caesars Palace Signature Multihand Blackjack Surrender - demonstrating Caesars' momentum in expanding its online gaming portfolio.

Where and who can play?

The new live dealer game is now live for eligible players 21 years old and older in Michigan, New Jersey, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. The game features a custom felt layout with an NBA theme that mirrors the design of a basketball court, effectively capturing the NBA Playoffs' spirit and enhancing the player experience with an authentic sports atmosphere.

"This expanded live dealer experience, created in collaboration with the NBA, is another example of our commitment to delivering engaging and innovative content across our digital gaming offerings," said Senior VP & Chief iGaming Officer at Caesars Digital, Matt Sunderland. "Caesars aims to provide immersive and exciting experiences for players, and this new game certainly delivers."

A slam dunk for sports and slot fans alike

As basketball fans tune in to the NBA Playoffs, Caesars is doubling down on its sports-themed gaming options. In addition to the blackjack release, the company has also introduced an NBA Triple Double Power Combo slot game, as we have previously reported. This fast-paced slot game puts players right in the middle of a packed arena with a background designed like a basketball court and cheering virtual fans to amp up the excitement.

The slot machine combines vibrant basketball imagery with classic gameplay mechanics to create an experience that's just as fun for die-hard sports fans as it is for seasoned slot enthusiasts.

Whether you're looking to hit 21 or land a lucky spin, Caesars Entertainment's new NBA-themed gaming experiences offer something for everyone. These releases come at a time when interest in basketball is at a peak, giving fans a whole new way to engage with the sport they love.

Play responsibly and stay in control

While the excitement of online gaming and NBA action can be hard to resist, responsible gambling remains a top priority. Caesars, along with platforms like Action Network, encourages players to game responsibly. Tools are always available to help players set limits on deposits, time spent playing, and spending, ensuring a healthy and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Gambling should always be viewed as a form of entertainment. If it begins to feel like a source of stress or financial strain, it's important to seek help and take advantage of the resources available.

With the launch of its new NBA-themed live dealer blackjack and slot games, Caesars Online Casino is bridging the gap between sports and gaming in innovative ways. By combining top-tier branding with immersive gameplay, the company continues to position itself at the forefront of the digital casino landscape. As the NBA Playoffs heat up, so does the action on Caesars' online platforms.

In a recent study released by the United Kingdom's University of Nottingham School of Psychology, it was found that displaying a game's RTP percentage may have more far-reaching impact than previously thought. Instead of influencing the players realistically, it is believed that the RTP may influence them to become more optimistic than expected. And this, in turn, could potentially lead to more problematic gambling behavior.

Gambling regulators often require casinos to display return-to-player (RTP) percentages on slot machines, aiming to help players make better-informed choices. But a new study suggests these messages may be doing more harm than good, especially when misunderstood.

RTP may fuel 'false hope'

According to research from the University of Nottingham's School of Psychology, standard RTP disclosures - such as "This game has an average payout of 90%" - can inflate players' expectations and lead to even riskier gambling behavior. Instead of clarifying the odds, RTP statements may make players overly optimistic about their chances of winning.

The findings challenge long-standing industry practices and suggest alternative messaging might be more effective at curbing false hope.

What RTP really means

RTP represents the percentage of total money bet on a slot machine that is paid back to players over time. For example, a 90% RTP means that, in the long run, for every $100 wagered, the machine returns $90 to players collectively, with the remaining $10 kept by the house. This $10 is known as the house edge.

However, this figure is a long-term average based on millions of spins - it doesn't necessarily mean that any individual player will get 90% of their money back in a single session. Nor does it imply that 90% of players will win.

Many players misinterpret RTP, assuming that it guarantees a steady return or increases their likelihood of success. In reality, slot machines are random. You could hit a jackpot in your first few spins or lose your entire bankroll just as quickly. RTP also doesn't reflect volatility or how streaky wins and losses are, the frequency of hits, or the potential for maximum losses.

Misunderstood odds drive overconfidence

In the study, over 6,000 online slot players from the UK and US were shown one of four pre-game messages:

• A typical RTP message: "This game has an average payout of 90%."
• House edge warning 1: "This game keeps 10% of all money bet."
• House edge warning 2: "This game is programmed to cost you 10% of your stake on each bet."
• No message at all.

After viewing the message, participants were asked how likely they thought they were to win.

The results were stark: players who saw the usual 90% RTP message were over five times as likely to rate their winning chances as high compared to those who saw no message at all. In other words, RTP messaging appeared to inflate confidence rather than temper it.

House edge warnings prove more effective

The house edge warnings performed significantly better at grounding players' expectations. Participants who saw these messages had more realistic assessments of their chances, similar to those who saw no message at all.

Interestingly, the study also revealed that people with higher scores for problem gambling overestimated their chances only when they received no information, suggesting that a complete absence of guidance can leave vulnerable players to their own hopeful assumptions.

This nuance highlights the importance of how information is presented - not just whether it's given. While house edge messages didn't reduce optimism beyond a no-info scenario, they did prevent the inflated expectations caused by traditional RTP lines.

Rethinking Responsible Gambling messages

The study's authors argue that current regulatory messaging may need a rethink. If the goal is to reduce gambling harm and encourage informed decision-making, then simply posting RTP percentages might not be enough - or might even be counterproductive.

Instead, straightforward house edge disclosures could serve as a more effective way to temper expectations and reduce risky behavior. As gambling continues to move online and slot-style games proliferate, especially among younger audiences, how information is communicated could play a crucial role in harm prevention. In short, telling gamblers the odds isn't enough - it's how you tell them that matters.