January 2025 Snapshots
In LIGHT of the data.
Atlantic City's nine casino hotels started 2025 off on the right foot with a 2.6%
increase year-over-year in brick-and-mortar gaming revenue, and along with their internet
gaming partners, Atlantic City operators also realized a nearly 21% year-over-year
increase in internet gaming revenue.
Brick-and-mortar gaming is not being left behind by internet gaming. While internet
gaming again surpassed brick-and-mortar for total gaming revenue, brick-and-mortar
still realized a year-over-year increase in January (despite harsher winter weather
than we've seen recently). This is an encouraging sign for the year ahead.
Sports wagering was also a bright spot for Atlantic City's operators and their partners. Retail sportsbooks in Atlantic City more than tripled their revenue for the month, and the casinos, along with their partners, realized a more than 16% increase in year-over-year online sports wagering revenue.
It seems that in terms of revenues, casino sportsbooks performed better than racetrack sportsbooks this month, with casino sportsbooks showing year-over-year increases while racetracks saw declines. When activity from racetracks and their partners are included, New Jersey saw a 6.4% and 29% year-over-year decrease in retail and online sports wagering.
Atlantic City's casinos and their partners saw a year-over-year increase of 12% realizing $496.4 million in January 2025 compared to $442.3 million in January 2024.
Atlantic City Gaming Win & Total Casino Revenue
Source: N.J. Division of Gaming Enforcement
| Monthly Revenue (Casino Licensees, $ In Thousands |
January 2025 |
% Change from Prior Year | January 2024 | YTD
2025 |
% Change from Prior Year | YTD 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casino Gaming Win | 210,058 | 2.6% | 204,707 | 210,058 | 2.6% | 204,707 |
| Internet Gaming Win | 221,604 | 20.9% | 183,281 | 221,604 | 20.9% | 183,281 |
| Sports Wagering Revenue | 64,750 | 14.8% | 56,412 | 64,750 | 14.8% | 56,412 |
| Total Gaming Win (includes Internet & Sports Wagering) | 496,411 | 11.6% | 444,738 | 496,411 | 11.6% | 444,738 |
| Quarterly Revenue (Industry, $ In Millions)** | Q3 2024 | % Change from Prior Year | Q3 2023 | YTD September 30, 2024 | % Change from Prior Year | YTD September 30, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casino | $431.61 | -0.4% | $433.5 | $1,263.01 | -0.7% | $1,272.122 |
| Rooms | $238.33 | -9.4% | $263.11 | $569.15 | -2.3% | $582.39 |
| Food & Beverage | $165.13 | -2.4% | $169.14 | $439.40 | -0.0% | $439.24 |
| Entertainment & Other | $108.10 | 1.9% | $106.03 | $271.30 | 6.97% | $253.62 |
| Casino Licensees Total Net Revenue | $943.16 | -2.9% | $971.78 | $2,542.85 | -0.2% | $2,547.38 |
| Gross Operating Profit (GOP) | $242.86 | -13.6% | $281.21 | $576.64 | -8.8% | $632.13 |
** Data agregated from New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement Quarterly Financial Reports for individual properties, includes amended totals as of November 22, 2024. May not match totals from Quarterly Press Releases and Statistical Summaries, which represent a 'snapshot' of data at the time of publication and are not retroactively updated.
Atlantic City Hotel Lodging
Source: N.J. Division of Gaming Enforcement
| Casino Hotel Lodging Statistics For the Period Ended September 30, 2024 & 2023 |
Q3 2024 | Q3 2023 | YTD 2024 | YTD 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupancy percentage | 84.1% | 86.6% | 74.1% | 75.2% |
| Average Daily Room Rate (ADR) | $201.08 | $217.70 | $182.97 | $185.61 |
| Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR)* | $169.20 | $186.39 | $135.64 | $139.51 |
* RevPAR= ADR X Occupancy Percentage
Atlantic City Casino Operator Taxes & Fees
Source: N.J. Division of Gaming Enforcement
Total Paid Taxes & Fees |
231,340,000 | 211,573,000 | 9.34% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Taxes & Fees |
Q3 2024 | Q3 2023 | % | |||
|
Casino Gaming Gross Revenue Tax |
$50,609,000 | $51,364,000 | -1.47% | |||
|
Internet Gaming Gross Revenue Tax |
$90,330,000 | $70,998,000 | 27.23% | |||
|
Sports Wagering - Retail Gross Revenue Tax (includes racetracks) |
$942,000 | $763,000 | 23.46% | |||
|
Sports Wagering - Internet Gross Revenue Tax (includes racetracks) |
$32,493,000 | $33,546,000 | -3.14% | |||
| Investment Alternative Tax/CRDA Obligations | $25,017,000 | $22,043,000 | 13.49% | |||
| 1.25% Additional Tax | $1,775,000 | $2,131,000 | -16.66% | |||
| 1.25% EDT | $ 1,494,000 | $1,223,000 | 22.16% | |||
| Luxury Tax | $ 15,129,000 | $15,724,000 | -3.78% | |||
| Tourism Promotion Fee | $2,530,000 | $2,559,000 | -1.09% | |||
| Hotel Room Fee | $ 3,555,000 | $3,625,000 | -1.90% | |||
| Hotel Room Surcharge | $2,370,000 | $2,418,000 | -1.99% | |||
| Parking Fees | $5,092,000 | $5,179,000 | -1.66% | |||
Atlantic City Casino Operator Spending
Source: Casino Association of New Jersey - Member Reported
| Total | $154,678,000 | $183,102,000 | -15.5% | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Purchase of Goods and Services From New Jersey Vendors(By County) |
Q2 2024 | Q2 2023 | % Change | ||
| Atlantic | $100,051,000 | $129,091,000 | -22.5% | ||
| Bergen | $2,542,000 | $3,808,000 | -33.3% | ||
| Burlington | $3,859,000 | $5,057,000 | -23.7% | ||
| Camden | $5,117,000 | $6,243,000 | -18.0% | ||
| Cape May | $2,021,000 | $2,834,000 | -28.7% | ||
| Cumberland | $5,585,000 | $6,628,000 | -15.7% | ||
| Essex | $10,880,000 | $5,005,000 | 117.4% | ||
| Gloucester | $2,621,000 | $2,269,000 | 15.5% | ||
| Hudson | $621,000 | $800,000 | -22.4% | ||
| Hunterdon | $28,000 | $32,000 | -12.0% | ||
| Mercer | $3,690,000 | $678,000 | 444.2% | ||
| Middlesex | $3,425,000 | $3,422,000 | 0.1% | ||
| Monmouth | $2,689,000 | $3,195,000 | -15.8% | ||
| Morris | $1,565,000 | $1,285,000 | 21.8% | ||
| Ocean | $880,000 | $1,413,000 | -37.7% | ||
| Passaic | $926,000 | $777,000 | 19.1% | ||
| Salem | $122,000 | $81,000 | 50.3% | ||
| Somerset | $2,630,000 | $2,132,000 | 23.4% | ||
| Sussex | $0 | $10,000 | -100.0% | ||
| Union | $5,421,000 | $7,258,000 | -25.3% | ||
| Warren | $4,000 | 1,000 | 245.4% | ||
Other Spending |
Q2 2024 | Q2 2023 | % | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital Expenditures | $47,678,000 | $82,333,000 | -42.1% | |||
| PILOT Contributions (Includes PILOT & additional payments under PILOT legislation) | $29,788,000 | 29,126,000 | 2.3% | |||
| CRDA Special Improvement District | $331,000 | $314,000 | 5.3% | |||
| Municipal/Atlantic City Fees- Water | $1,253,000 | $1,207,000 | 3.8% | |||
| Municipal/Atlantic City Fees- Sewer | $3,445,000 | $3,963,000 | -13.1% | |||
|
Municipal/Atlantic City Fees- Other (permits, boardwalk seating, mercantile etc.) |
$1,190,000 | $1,229,000 | -3.2% | |||
| Charitable Contributions | $310,000 | $333,000 | -6.8% | |||
Total Spending |
$238,673,000 | $301,606,000 | -20.9% |
|---|
Atlantic City Statistical Transportation Data
Source: South Jersey Transportation Authority
| Travel Mode | December 2024 |
December 2023 |
Change from Prior Year |
YTD 2024 |
YTD 2023 |
Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC Expressway | ||||||
| Total Toll-Paying Traffic Pleasantville Toll Plaza |
1,295,201 | 1,296,053 | -0.1% | 18,065,267 | 17,840,652 | 1.3% |
| AC Airport | ||||||
| Scheduled Service Passengers | 63,454 | 75,818 | -16.3% | 918,116 | 799,606 | 14.8% |
| Charter Passengers | 5,287 | 4,379 | 20.7% | 124,137 | 126,718 | -2.0% |
| Total Air Passengers | 68,741 | 80,197 | -14.3% | 1,042,253 | 926,324 | 12.5% |
Atlantic City Meetings and Conventions Data
Source: Vist Atlantic City
| December '24 | December '23 | % Change from Prior Year |
January '25 | January '24 | % Change from Prior Year |
TOTAL 2025 YTD |
TOTAL 2024 YTD |
% Change from Prior Year |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventions/Tradeshows/Meetings* | |||||||||
| # of Shows | 11 | 13 | -15% | 6 | 8 | -25% | 6 | 8 | -25% |
| # of Room Nights | 2,168 | 4,721 | -54% | 22,803 | 19,956 | 14% | 22,803 | 19,956 | 14% |
| # of Attendees | 7,279 | 8,634 | -16% | 41,354 | 46,279 | -11% | 41,354 | 46,279 | -11% |
| Delegate Spending | $3,223,447 | $5,376,521 | -40% | $17,825,307 | $17,046,132 | 5% | $17,825,307 | $17,046,132 | 5% |
| Boardwalk Hall Bookings | |||||||||
| # of Shows | 2 | 2 | 0% | 1 | 1 | 0% | 1 | 1 | 0% |
| # of Attendees | 300 | 4,594 | -93% | 4,773 | 5,860 | -19% | 4,773 | 5,860 | -19% |
| Hotel Bookings | |||||||||
| # of Shows | 8 | 6 | 33% | 5 | 10 | -50% | 5 | 10 | -50% |
| # of Room Nights | 5,061 | 4,040 | 25% | 8,137 | 8,077 | 1% | 8,137 | 8,077 | 1% |
| # of Attendees | 11,105 | 6,058 | 83% | 7,844 | 8,784 | -11% | 7,844 | 8,784 | -11% |
| Delegate Spending | $3,938,862 | $2,614,966 | 51% | $5,369,292 | $5,087,121 | 6% | $5,369,292 | $5,087,121 | 6% |
| Monthly Totals | |||||||||
| # Convs_Trade_Mtgs / Boardwalk Hall / Hotel | 21 | 21 | 0% | 12 | 19 | -37% | 12 | 19 | -37% |
| # of Room Nights | 7,229 | 8,761 | -17% | 30,940 | 28,033 | 10% | 30,940 | 28,033 | 10% |
| # of Attendees | 18,684 | 19,286 | -3% | 53,971 | 60,923 | -11% | 53,971 | 60,923 | -11% |
| Delegate Spending | $7,162,309 | $7,991,487 | -10% | $23,194,599 | $22,133,253 | 5% | $23,194,599 | $22,133,253 | 5% |
*Includes Visit Atlantic City events booked at Boardwalk Hall
Atlantic City Information
Atlantic City city council passes resolution supporting the Immigrant Trust Act - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, the City Council has passed a resolution in support of a proposed bill (S3672/A4987) that seeks to "provide a sense of safety to undocumented people and their families." The bill would ban government health care entities from collecting information about a person’s immigration or citizenship status unless necessary to receive benefits and would also make it illegal to share such information without written permission from the person involved. Further information from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Jersey.
Atlantic City mayor gives date for reopening of city aquarium - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, at his annual State of the City address, Mayor Marty Small Sr. announced that the Atlantic City Aquarium wil reopen March 24.
Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) approves new residential development - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, the CRDA has approved the construction of 38 townhouses on long vacant land in the city's Inlet neighborhood.
DEEM Enterprises reaffirms comitment to 'Renaissance at Bader Field' project - According to a January 28 news release, DEEM Enterprises plans to move forward with the $3.4 billion Renaissance at Bader Field project. The project is envisioned as a "groundbreaking sustainable motorsport living, entertainment and lifestyle hub" and expected to have a significant economic impact on Atlantic City. Coverage by The Press of Atlantic City.
Former Unite Here Local 54 president, announces mayoral bid - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, former union president Bob McDevitt has announced his intent to challenge Mayor Marty Small Sr. for the Democratic nomination in the 2025 Atlantic City mayoral election. Mayor Marty Small Sr. has announced his bid for reelection. Additional coverage by Casino.org.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signs bill speeding tax credits for economic development projects - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, Gov. Murphy has signed legislation making changes to the state's Aspire economic development program. The changes are expected to speed tax incentives to commercial and residential real estate development projects that have funding gaps in several cities, including Atlantic City.
State takes over supervision of former Atlantic Club redevelopment - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs has assumed jurisdiction over a project that promises to redevelop the former Atlantic Club site as a hotel-condominium complex. Current owners of the property, New York based Colosseo Development Group, purchased the former casino, which has been vacant since 2014, in 2019.
State urges Miss America pageant to return to Atlantic City - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, a resolution asking organizers of the Miss America pegeant to bring the event back to Atlantic City for 2025 was passed by the state Assembly with no objections. The resolution's passage came too late for a 2025 return of the pagent, but may have opened up discussion about 2026. The pageant was last held in Atlantic City in 2018 and has since been held in Uncasville, Connecticut, Reno, Nevada, and Orlando, Florida.
New Jersey Gaming News
American Lung Association report, employee advocacy group continue to push for casino smoking ban - As reported by Casino.org, CEASE, Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects, continues to call on lawmakers in Trenton to end the casino smoking loophole. The American Lung Association State of Tobacco Control 2025 report released January 29 called on New Jersey lawmakers to “finally make New Jersey smoke-free by closing the loophole which continues to allow smoking and e-cigarette use in New Jersey’s casinos.” Press coverage by Play NJ,Casino.org and iGaming Business.
Atlantic City casinos commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day - As reported by Stockton University and The Press of Atlantic City, seven of Atlantic City's nine casinos marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day (Monday, January 27) by lighting up yellow. The properties changed their outside lighting to yellow at dusk as part of a collaboration between The Sara and Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center at Stockton University and the Casino Association of New Jersey (CANJ).
Atlantic City PILOT likely to be extended - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City and Casino.org, the Atlantic City casino industries Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT), set to expire at the end of 2026, will likely be extended according to state legislators.
Golden Nugget Reopens Sportsbook - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, Golden Nugget reopened its sportsbook on January 29. Updates to the sports betting facility included new technology and new betting markets.
Hard Rock Bet Casino celebrates the launch of its 2,500th online casino game - As reported by Play NJ, Hard Rock Bet Casino, which hosts one of the largest online gaming libraries in New Jersey, announced the launch of its 2,500th online casino game. There are now more games available on its online site than there are slot machines and tables on its Atlantic City gaming floor.
State legislature introduces bill to regulate sweepstakes casinos - As recorded by the New Jersey state legislaure Bill A5196, introduced January 16, "designates sweepstakes casinos as internet gaming; requires licensure, oversight, and taxation thereof within internet gaming framework." Further coverage from iGaming Business and PlayNJ.
Stockton Atlantic City Summer Experience: Live-Work-Learn
National Gaming News
BetMGM secures casino gaming rights to classic game shows "The Price is Right" and "Family Feud" - As reported by Esports Insider, BetMGM has announced a multi-year agreement that will allow the company to create customized slots, table games and nontraditional casino games based on both game show brands.
Brooklyn Community Board 13 votes against land-use application for 'The Coney' - As reported by Casino.org, a $3 billion casino resort development project known as 'The Coney' suffered a setback when the local community board voted against its land-use application. 'The Coney' is competng for one of the three downstate New York casino licenses expected to be awarded in late 2025.
Caesars Entertainment expands agreement with Bragg Gaming Group - As reported by Las Vegas Review Journal, Caesars Entertainment has expanded their agreement with Toronto-based Bragg Gaming Group, elevating the content provider to a 'technology partner' role. Under this new partnership, Caesars will begin to develop in-house casino games on its iGaming platform.
Connecticut legislators consider bills allowing in-state betting on games played by colleges located in Connecticut, and in-flight sports betting - As reported by Casino.org, Connecticut legislators have introduced gaming expansion legislation. One bill would allow in-state betting on games played by colleges located in Connecticut. Another would seek to regulate in-flight sports wagering occuring on flights taking off or landing in the state. The in-flight sports wagering bill may conflict with the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act that prohibits air carriers from facilitating gambling on board.
Court approves settlement in MGM Resorts Hack Class Action suit - As reported by Casino.org, "The United State District Court for the District of Nevada granted preliminary approval of a $45 million settlement in a class action suit brought against MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) stemming from the September 2023 cyber intrusion that temporarily crippled the casino operator." Plaintiffs claimed that MGM's cybersecurity protocols were not robust enough to prevent the exposure of customers' personally identifiable information in this cyber event and another that occured in July 2019.
Manhattan Community Board 4 (MCB4) votes to reject zoning changes to make way for Related Cos. and Wynn Resorts plan to bring a casino hotel to Manhattan - As reported by Casino.org, the Related Cos. and Wynn Resorts plan to bring a casino hotel to Manhattan was dealt a blow, when MCB4 members voted unanimously to reject the zoning changes needed to move the project forward. The rejection is mostly symbolic as the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) has the final say on whether the project will receive one of the three coveted downstate casino licenses.
Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) reports record year - As reported by Casino.org, Michigan regulators report that 2024 was a record-setting year for the state's commercial and tribal gaming industries. Michigan is the fourth-richest commercial gaming state in the country behind Nevada, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Growth in recent years has been attributed to iGaming expansion.
Nebraska introduces online sports betting legislation - As reported by Casino.org, Nebraska legislatures have introduced legislation (LB421) that would allow the state's six commercial casinos to launch one online sportsbook each either on their own or in partnership with a third-party.
New York introduces bill seeking legalization of internet gaming, increase in legal gambling age - As reported by Legal Sports Report and The Press of Atlantic City, a recently proposed bill (S8185A) would "authorize interactive gaming and interactive lottery gaming in the state of New York." Supporters of the bill hope that legalizing internet gaming will help combat the proliferation of 'sweepstakes casinos.' As reported by Casino.org, Senate Bill 2610, seeks to raise the legal gambling age in New York from 18 to 21.
Virginia, Maryland, Indiana and Wyoming introduce internet gaming bills - As reported by Casino.org and iGaming Business, legislators in Virginia (Bill SB827/HB2171) and Maryland (House Bill 17) have introducted legislation to legalize internet gaming. As reported by Casino.org, Indiana (HB1432) and Wyoming (HB162) are also considering legalization.
Virginia considers legislation authorizing new commercial casino in northern part of the state - As reported by Casino.org Virginia Senate Bill 982 seeks to qualify a specific area within Fairfax County (Tysons) as a permissible location for a commercial casino.
Hospitality & Tourism News
Cape May County Board of Commissioners dicuss operation of Cape May County Airport - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, in June 2024 Cape May County notified the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) it would not automatically renew the bi-state authority's 30-year lease on the Cape May County Airport in Lower Township. The current agreement, which allows the DRBA to lease the property from the county for $1 per year, expires on June 7, 2029. The county is considering a new operator for the facility, but has not rulled out negotiating a new agreement with the DRBA.
Culinary Union Ends Strike at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas - As reported by Casino.org, representatives of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165 announced that a new five-year contract had been ratified ending a 69-day strike - the longest strike at a Las Vegas property in two decades.
Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority (GWTIDA) in talks to bring airshow to the resort - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, GWTIDA has announced that it is in discussions with a company to look at the possibility of bringing a major airshow to the Wildwoods in 2025. According to a December statement from the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce, organizers of the Atlantic City Airshow have decided to take a strategic pause for 2025 with hopes to hold the event again in 2026.
Spirit Airlines cuts 200 more jobs - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, Spirit Airlines (the sole operator at Atlantic City International Airport) has cut 200 more jobs in a bid to shrink the company and get on a better financial footing after filing for bankruptcy in November. The job cuts are part of a plan to reach $80 million in annual cost reductions. Additional coverage from CNN.
Wildwood Officials approve deal to host the Barefoot Country Music Fest through 2030 - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, the Barefoot Country Music Fest is set to return to Wildwood from June 19 to 22, the fifth year for the festival. The concert series is also expected to return annually though 2030.
LIGHT Snapshots is a publication of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality & Tourism, Stockton University School of Business
Jane Bokunewicz, Ph. D., Faculty Director and Professor of Hospitality
