LIGHT Comments on February 2026 DGE Numbers
Comments from Jane Bokunewicz, faculty director of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute
of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism (LIGHT), Stockton University School of Business,
on the February 2026 numbers released Monday by the New Jersey Division of Gaming
Enforcement:
Amid a harsher winter than in recent years, Atlantic City’s casino operators saw a
modest decline in brick-and-mortar gross gaming revenue in February 2026 compared
to February 2025.
The same weather that may have suppressed brick-and-mortar revenues also likely gave
internet gaming a small boost. This boost, while still not quite enough to surpass
December 2025’s record single-month internet gross gaming revenue, did result in a
fourth consecutive month of internet gaming revenues exceeding revenues from traditional
land-based operations.
Although U.S. patrons were expected to wager a record $1.76 billion legally on Super
Bowl LX (American Gaming Association), this activity did not translate into gains for New Jersey sportsbook operators
as both handle and win were down year-over-year. It is unclear whether predictions
markets influenced this outcome or if there are other variables in play.
Notably, revenue from gaming taxes continues to increase with total gaming taxes for
February 2026 ($84,406,413) exceeding February 2025 totals ($53,325,315) by more than
58%.
