LIGHT comments on the May 2026 DGE casino numbers

June 16, 2026

 

Comments from Brian Tyrrell, who will become faculty director of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism (LIGHT), Stockton University School of Business on July 1, on the May 2026 numbers released Tuesday by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement:

Amid concerns of growing regional competition, Atlantic City’s casino operators turned in the best single month total gross revenue for the month of May in recent history. While internet gaming revenue continues to grow — achieving a new all-time single month record — this month also set a new near-term record for May gross brick-and-mortar revenue.

While total brick-and-mortar revenue was ultimately up, the stories of slots revenue and table games revenue were quite different. Slots revenue saw significant year-over-year gain, while table games revenue (which can be relatively variable compared to slots) was down for the month. It’s too soon to say for certain, but the decline in table games revenue may be an indication of competition from Resorts World New York, which launched table gaming operations on April 28. This situation merits further monitoring to determine how much of an impact there is and whether it will be lasting — or if it is a function of the novelty of the new offerings at Resorts World — or simply the natural variability of the industry.

May 2026 was an interesting month for Atlantic City. Not only did it include an extra Saturday (as did May 2025), but it also included the second annual Soar & Shore airshow presented by Visit Atlantic City (the first event occurred in July 2025). This also may have had an impact on gaming revenues for the industry as the resort enters the start of the busier summer tourism season.

Brian Tyrrell can be reached at brian.tyrrell@stockton.edu.