Call it a Comeback: Atlantic City Casino Revenue Jumps 11 Percent in May
Posted on: June 17, 2025, 07:30h.
Last updated on: June 17, 2025, 09:03h.
- Atlantic City in-person casino revenue bounced back in May
- May turned year-to-date retail gaming revenue positive
- Atlantic City is ready for a busy summer
April showers brought May flowers for the nine casinos in Atlantic City, as gaming revenue from in-person play soared 10.9% year over year to $265.3 million.
Casino.org has been hearing from a slew of Atlantic City insiders who have been predicting a comeback for the New Jersey shore town — the only place in the Garden State where casinos are allowed. Mark Giannantonio, the president of Resorts and the Casino Association of New Jersey, forecasted “a true renaissance” for America’s Playground.
After a slow start to 2025, where Atlantic City brick-and-mortar casino revenue was down 2% through April — which followed 2024 where legacy play slowed 1.1% from 2023 — May 2025 reversed course. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) reported Monday that May’s outcome turned year-to-date brick-and-mortar gross gaming revenue (GGR) black, with the nine casinos reporting a 0.8% improvement through five months, a difference of more than $8.6 million.
In May, tables fueled the in-person GGR gains. The felt kept $70.5 million of the table bets, a 21.9% increase, while slots kept about $194.8 million of players’ bets, a 7.5% improvement.
It’s worth noting that May 2025 benefited from having an extra Saturday compared to May 2024. But the month was nonetheless a major victory for the casino town in desperate need of one.
May Shines Bright
James Plousis, chair of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission (NJCCC), told Casino.org in prepared remarks that last month was the best May result for the nine casinos since 2011.
May provided a strong foundation for positive momentum during the summer season. Atlantic City’s diverse gaming, leisure, and entertainment provide something to suit every taste and there are plentiful reasons to visit and stay,” Plousis added.
iGaming continued to shine, too. Online casino revenue totaled $246.8 million, up 28.5%, or $57.7 million, from May 2024. May marked a record month for the many online casino websites and apps that operate within New Jersey.
May was also prosperous for the books, as oddsmakers reported GGR of $102.5 million. That was 30% stronger year-over-year.
Year to date, however, sports betting revenue remains 10% lower, as bettors have risked 12.6% less money. Sports bettors staked more than $6 billion on sports through licensed retail and online sportsbooks in New Jersey during the first five months of 2024. This year, they’ve bet $5.25 billion.
All combined, New Jersey gaming revenue in May totaled $614.6 million, a 20.5% jump from May 2024.
Optimism Returns
Plousis and Giannantonio aren’t the only ones excited about the 2025 summer for Atlantic City. Dennis Levinson, the chief executive of Atlantic County, told Casino.org last week that the resorts have made considerable investments in their properties, and concerns about crime have eased.
Speaking with the Press of Atlantic City, Jane Bokunewicz, director of Stockton University’s Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality, and Tourism, expressed optimism about the casino town’s near-term outlook.
Heading into the peak summer season, we can hope to see the resort’s brick-and-mortar gaming operations gain momentum even as internet gaming revenues continue their upward trajectory,” said Bokunewicz.
Mulling a late June visit to Atlantic City and interested in what to see and do?
Hard Rock has Tom Segura on June 20-21, Incubus on June 27, and Jackson Browne on June 28. Neighboring Ocean Casino Resort has 311 on June 20. Borgata has The Allman Betts Band on June 21 and Def Leppard on June 28.
For more things to do in Atlantic City, check out Visit Atlantic City.
Last Comments ( 2 )
Atlantic City has improved a lot. The police patrol the boardwalk regularly. They have a police station between Caesars and Tropicana. The police have regular patrols on the boardwalk as well as the hotel casinos providing security along the boardwalk. The Atlantic City hotel casinos are providing a good product at a low price place for low rollers to go gamble. The prices are reasonable for hotels. Sunday to Thursday hotel prices in the off season September to June can be had for $100 including the resort fees. The restaurants have a lot of lower to mid price offerings. The beaches on the northern end of the boardwalk have been widened so they are nice. Overall this is the best Atlantic City has looked in a long time. There are many things that the CRDA could do to improve Atlantic City but at least they are starting to try to do it.
Resorts, Hard Rock, and Ocean casinos are located in the safer and more well-maintained sections of the Atlantic City Boardwalk. However, once you pass Resorts heading south, the atmosphere can change noticeably. The boardwalk in that area tends to feel more run-down, with a number of low-end shops and loitering individuals, including some openly smoking marijuana. It's surprising how some of the casinos on the southern end continue to operate given the surrounding conditions.