Here’s where the Atlantic City casinos’ money comes from (and half of it’s not from gambling)

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (May 9, 2025) — You probably know that Atlantic City’s casino industry is a multi-billion-dollar industry.

But did you know that half its net revenue comes from sources other than gambling?

An economic impact report issued Thursday by Stockton University’s Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality & Tourism and the Casino Association of New Jersey breaks down the revenue streams that keep the city’s nine casinos going.

The report drew together monthly and annual revenue and profit data released by the state Division of Gaming Enforcement, but also included other information giving a closer look at where the money comes from.

“The Atlantic City tourism landscape continues to evolve with the addition of new entertainment attractions and diverse business offerings, but the nine casino properties are still the strongest economic driver for the region, providing jobs for local residents, purchasing goods and services statewide, and increasing tax revenue for New Jersey,” said Jane Bokunewicz, director of the institute.

Net revenue, which is revenue remaining after certain revenue-related expenses are deducted, was evenly split in Atlantic City in 2024, with 50.1% coming from gambling, and lodging (21.6%); food and beverage sales (17.3%) and other miscellaneous revenue (10.9%) comprised the other half.

The net revenue picture was virtually flat compared to 2023, declining from $3.33 billion then to $3.31 billion last year.

But the report shows steady growth in the non-gambling categories from 2018 to 2024.

Lodging revenue grew from $536 million to $716 million; food and beverage increased from $518 million to $574 million, and other revenue went from $210 million to $360 million.

The report also reiterated a trend, several years in the making, that is evident in each monthly revenue report: Despite an assist from rapidly growing internet betting and well-established sports betting operations, most of the casinos are still winning less money from in-person gamblers than they did before the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020.

The casinos and their online partners won nearly $5.7 billion last year.

But internet and sports betting money must be shared with outside parties and is not solely for the casinos to keep. Therefore, they consider money won from on-premises gamblers to be their core business.

In terms of gross gambling revenue, $2.4 billion, or 41.9% came from internet gambling last year. Slot machines provided $2.1 billion, or 36.8%; and table games brought in $699.7 million, or 12.3%.

Mobile sports betting brought in $486.5 million, or 8.5%, while poker accounted for $21.7 million, or 0.4%, and in-person sports betting accounted for $6.5 million, or 0.1%.

The Atlantic City casino industry employed 23,000 people last year, making it one of the largest employers in the south Jersey region. Of those, 19,000 were Atlantic County residents, and 5,000 were Atlantic City residents, comprising 13% of the city’s workforce.

The casinos purchased $605 million worth of goods and services from New Jersey vendors last year, with nearly two thirds of that total spent in Atlantic County.

Casino operators paid $883.2 million in total casino taxes and fees last year, up 11% from 2023.

The industry contributed a record $572 million to the Casino Revenue Fund in fiscal year 2024. That included $541 million toward housing for people with developmental disabilities; $17 million for community-based programs for seniors; $5 million for pharmaceutical assistance, and $4 million for personal assistance.

Atlantic City also saw a slight uptick in visitors last year with approximately 18 million, a 1.2% increase over 2023.

Read the full report here.

Press of Atlantic City

By: Wayne Parry

609-272-7000

[email protected]

X @WayneParryAC