Struggling Atlantic City Experiences Continued Decline, Casino Revenue Falls Nearly 3% in April
Posted on: May 17, 2025, 09:32h.
Last updated on: May 17, 2025, 09:32h.
Author: Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO
Categories: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics
Headline: Atlantic City Casinos Facing Tough Times as iGaming Soars
The sands of summer cannot arrive soon enough for the luckless often-lost souls sprinkled among Atlantic City's nine wheezing casinos. In-person play is nowhere near 2024's roaring numbers, leaving the casinos pinching pennies and cursing their luck.
On Friday morning, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement finally broke the silence with a stark revelation. The cold, hard cash left in the casinos' slot machines and table games' tilts amounted to a mere $211 million, taking a 2.7% dive compared to the same month last year. Biting a heavy $5.9 million out of the casino's already aching wallets.
Slip and SlideTable games couldn't catch a break, as dealers saw only $48.8 million, down nearly $9.3 million compared to the same month a year prior. The slots, however, were the faint ray of hope, with revenue creeping up by 2.1%, reaching $162.2 million.
For the first four months of 2025, the combined casino revenue is 2% lower than it was at this time last year. Casinos have pocketed $17.5 million less money from retail gamblers from this January to April 2025.
In the Red ZoneIt isn't just the legacy casino gambling that's tanking in New Jersey's glitzy gaming scene. Oddsmakers are swimming in a sea of shrinking revenue. Many a Garden State bettor has been scaling back their bets, leaving sportsbooks drier, just like their once-robust bets.
In 2024, those ravenous New Jersey sports bettors laid down a hefty $5.2 billion from January to April. These days, they're barely placing $4.2 billion over the same period.
Frustrated with the sportsbooks' iffy odds compared to the offshore platters, or simply feeling the bite from inflationary pinches, or smarter from commitment to responsible gambling, you decide.
By April 2025, oddsmakers had won $90.5 million less off their bets, a 15% slide from 2024's year-to-date numbers. The winning margin was $76.6 million leaner at this point in 2024.
Rise of the MachinesAtlantic City and sportsbooks bemoan, but the state's online casinos continue to thrive. Online gaming is rising like the devil's own York Rise, bringing $235.2 million to the table, up an eye-popping 25%. When you factor in April's gains, the iGaming revenue is a whopping 21% richer, diverting over $157.7 million away from the weakening brick-and-mortar industry.
Escape from the DoldrumsSummertime, with its endless days and long, golden nights, is when Atlantic City bets its chips. Sun-drenched tourists flock from Philly, North Jersey, and New York, eager for good times, loosening purse strings and purring like kittens.
The casino town is praying that 2025 will be a better bet than 2024, as beach restoration projects on the northern end of the Boardwalk have laid fresh sands as welcome as a fresh start.
James Plousis, who heads the New Jersey Casino Control Commission, has high hopes for the summer season. Tourists, he says, receive pampering from the dedicated workforce, intent on providing remarkable service and outstanding hospitality. Last week, the spoils were on display at the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority's "Host Awards," showering appreciation on team members who go above and beyond with vigor.
And yet, the upcoming months are critical for Atlantic City's ability to keep the regulars coming back, as New York readies to open its wallet to three multibillion-dollar casinos offering slot machines, live table games, and sportsbooks. The next two to three summers will tell the tale, giving Atlantic City the chance to cement its status as a gambling Madison Avenue or sinking slowly under the weight of the incoming competition.
- The ongoing gambling scene in Atlantic City is hinting at tough times with the nine casinos in the city seeing low in-person play.
- The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement reported a 2.7% decrease in casino revenue compared to the same month last year, amounting to $211 million.
- Table games revenue dropped by nearly $9.3 million, while slots revenue saw a slight increase of 2.1%, reaching $162.2 million.
- The combined casino revenue for the first four months of 2025 is 2% lower than the same period last year, with a $17.5 million revenue decrease.
- The struggles are not limited to traditional casino gambling in New Jersey, as oddsmakers are grappling with a decrease in revenue.
- Garden State bettors are placing fewer bets, leaving sportsbooks with less revenue compared to the previous year.
- From January to April 2025, sportsbooks have seen a 15% decrease in revenue, with $90.5 million less won compared to the same period in 2024.
- Atlantic City casinos are hoping for a better year in 2025, as summer brings more tourists and opportunities to increase revenue.
- Summertime is crucial for Atlantic City to recover from its losses, as the city competes with three multibillion-dollar casinos planned to open in New York.
- Online casino gaming continues to be a bright spot, bringing in $235.2 million, a 25% increase compared to the same period last year.
- The iGaming revenue is a whopping 21% richer when accounting for April's gains, with over $157.7 million being diverted away from brick-and-mortar casinos.
- In the diverse world of casino-and-gambling, sports like football, baseball, hockey, golf, basketball, racing, tennis, and mixed-martial-arts come into play.
- The trends in casino-culture are diverse, with Las Vegas leading the way in innovative casino-games.
- The situation is critical for Atlantic City, as summer 2025 will show whether the city can maintain its position in the gambling industry or drown in the competition.
- Casino personalities and experts will be following the events in Atlantic City closely, watching the trends in gambling-trends and anticipating the impact of sports-betting on the city's fortunes.
