Key Moments:
- New Jersey gambling revenue reached $563.7 million in September, representing a 1% year-on-year increase
- Sports betting revenue dropped 24.9% compared to the previous year, but the betting handle increased by 3.7%
- Online casino generated $243.1 million, up 16.8% year-on-year, nearly matching the record set in August
Gambling Revenue Driven by iGaming and Land-Based Stability
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) reported that the state’s gambling sector achieved $563.7 million in revenue for September, which marks a 1% rise from the same month a year earlier. This growth was fueled by strong performances from online casinos and steady results from brick-and-mortar venues, even as sports betting revenue saw a sharp decline.
Although September’s numbers were 12.2% lower than those recorded in August, New Jersey is still positioned for another record year, with most revenue streams growing outside of sports betting.
Sports Betting Faces Challenges Despite Higher Handle
Sports wagering emerged as the weakest segment, posting a 24.9% year-over-year decrease to $89.8 million. Online sports betting revenue was down 19.4%, and retail sportsbooks reported a rare loss of $13,173 for the month.
However, bettor engagement stayed robust with the total handle climbing 3.7% to $1.13 billion – comprising $1.07 billion in online bets and $60.1 million on retail wagers – resulting in a hold rate of 8.72%.
| Sportsbook | Online Revenue | Retail Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| FanDuel/Meadowlands | $37.7 million | $4.2 million |
| DraftKings/Resorts World | $22.6 million | N/A |
| BetMGM/Borgata | $7.1 million | N/A |
| Monmouth Park | N/A | over $1 million |
iGaming Maintains Strong Momentum
New Jersey’s online gaming vertical remained a bright spot, producing $243.1 million during the month, equating to a 16.8% improvement compared to the prior year and nearing August’s record of $248.4 million. Online slots and table games accounted for $240.7 million, growing 16.9%, while online poker added $2.5 million, a 10.7% increase.
Leading online operators mirrored the sports betting landscape, with FanDuel and Golden Nugget earning $56.6 million, DraftKings/Resorts World bringing in $48.4 million, and BetMGM/Borgata collecting $30.3 million in total revenue.
Analysts observed that ongoing double-digit growth in iGaming continues to buffer the state’s total gambling income, stabilizing overall performance in the face of sports betting volatility.
Atlantic City Casinos Show Resilience Amid Slot Dip
The nine casino properties in Atlantic City saw combined revenue edge up 0.1% on the year to $230.7 million. Despite a 1.8% decrease in slot machine revenue to $170.1 million, a 5.7% gain in table game revenue to $60.6 million balanced the segment. This resilience demonstrates continued recovery within Atlantic City’s tourism and entertainment markets.
Performance Over First Nine Months of 2025
From January through September of 2025, New Jersey’s total gambling revenue reached $5.13 billion, an 8.7% increase year-on-year. Online casino gaming expanded 22.7% to $2.12 billion, while land-based casinos rose 2.5% to $2.21 billion. In contrast, sports betting experienced a 4.4% contraction to $798.5 million, highlighting increased volatility in this segment.
With the fourth quarter underway and major sporting events resuming, analysts express expectations for a rebound in sports betting figures, as iGaming and traditional casino operations continue to underpin the state’s gambling sector.
- Author
Daniel Williams
