Atlantic City, NJ – October 26, 2026 – The vibrant and economically crucial gaming industry of New Jersey stands at a precipice, grappling with a recent dip in brick-and-mortar revenue while bracing for the seismic shifts promised by impending casino expansions in neighboring New York and the potential for new ventures in North Jersey. The latest financial reports for September 2026, released by the Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE), paint a complex picture of an industry that continues to be a significant economic engine, supporting thousands of jobs and generating substantial tax revenue, yet faces unprecedented competitive pressures.
Amidst these challenges, the state is simultaneously ushering in a new era of responsible gaming, with Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the DGE implementing stringent, data-driven regulations designed to protect vulnerable players. This dual focus on economic vitality and player welfare underscores the dynamic and evolving nature of New Jersey’s gaming sector.
A Shifting Revenue Stream: September’s Performance and Year-to-Date Trends
The DGE’s September 2026 report, published on October 19th, revealed a total gaming revenue of $579.6 million for the state’s casinos, racetracks, and their partners. This represents a modest increase of 2.8% compared to September 2025. However, a closer examination of the year-to-date figures tells a more nuanced story. For the first nine months of 2026, total gaming revenue reached $5.39 billion, a healthy 5.1% increase from the $5.13 billion reported during the same period in the previous year.
Despite the overall positive year-over-year growth, a significant divergence is evident in the performance of different gaming segments. Internet gaming emerged as the sole driver of robust, double-digit growth, continuing its impressive trajectory. In stark contrast, both traditional brick-and-mortar casino revenue and sports wagering experienced a decline.
September 2026 Revenue Breakdown:
- Casino Hotels: While specific figures for September were not detailed in the provided text, the narrative indicates a decline in in-person casino win compared to the previous year. This was partly attributed to players experiencing more favorable outcomes at table games, which can skew monthly win percentages.
- Internet Gaming: This sector continues to be the powerhouse of New Jersey’s gaming industry. Casino Control Commission Chairman James Plousis highlighted that internet gaming has already surpassed $2.4 billion in revenue for the first nine months of 2026, setting a new record and achieving this milestone faster than any previous year.
- Sports Wagering: This segment, while still a significant contributor, has seen a decrease in revenue, a trend attributed in part to the growing impact of future market predictions and the anticipation of new competitive offerings.
Chairman Plousis expressed optimism regarding the sustained strength of internet gaming, predicting it will continue to outperform in-person casino winnings, especially during Atlantic City’s shoulder seasons. He emphasized the importance of maintaining visitor momentum to the shore town, noting that it helps alleviate pressure on operators facing record-high operating costs and expenses.
Among the individual casino hotels, Borgata once again led in total revenue for September. However, like many of its counterparts, it experienced a year-over-year percentage decrease. Ocean Casino, on the other hand, managed to return to positive year-over-year growth.
The Looming Shadow of Expansion: Competition on the Horizon
The most pressing concern for New Jersey’s gaming industry is the impending arrival of new competitors. The recent approval of three new casinos in New York, with one already operational in New York City and two more slated to open in 2030, presents a significant threat. Furthermore, discussions and potential developments regarding casinos in North Jersey, particularly near the Meadowlands, could drastically alter the competitive landscape.
The Greater Atlantic City Chamber and the Atlantic County Economic Alliance (ACEA) convened a briefing for South Jersey lawmakers and regional business leaders on October 20th to address these critical issues and their potential ramifications, projecting scenarios as far out as 2035.
Max Slusher, Director of the Atlantic County Economic Alliance, articulated the stark reality of this impending competition. "As we have been projecting for the last six months, it would appear that there is, after adjusting for inflation, a falloff in the gross gaming revenue for bricks and mortar, while the online gaming is expanding at about double-digit rates," Slusher stated. "Additionally, when you talk about sports wagering, it’s without question that the predictions in future markets are starting to have an obvious impact. They’re down almost double-digit in real terms, and that is something the State of New Jersey is going to have to deal with."
The economic impact of new casinos extending beyond direct gaming revenue is a significant concern. According to the ACEA, a decline in casino business could ripple through a vast network of ancillary industries. This includes restaurants, hospitality suppliers, transportation companies, maintenance and construction contractors, food distributors, and retail businesses that rely on the patronage of casino employees and visitors.
The ACEA’s report highlights the vulnerability of the existing workforce. As of April 2026, Atlantic County boasts 21,172 direct casino-hotel jobs. Under a worst-case scenario analysis, up to 11,053 jobs could be at risk by 2035. A more moderate projection suggests a potential loss of 7,048 jobs. Crucially, these figures do not solely encompass direct casino employment but also include regional workers whose livelihoods are intertwined with the gaming industry’s success.
Slusher stressed that the concern is not merely about job losses but the "exposure" of these jobs, indicating that a substantial portion of the regional economy is susceptible to the shifts in the gaming market. He detailed four distinct scenarios, with the most severe projecting over 11,000 jobs at risk.
The Ethical Imperative: New Regulations for Responsible Gaming
In parallel with the economic anxieties, New Jersey is proactively addressing the critical issue of responsible gaming. On October 20th, Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, alongside the Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE), announced the implementation of comprehensive, data-driven responsible gaming requirements for all gaming operators. These regulations, the first of their kind to be codified into state law with legal enforcement power, aim to create a safer online gambling environment.
"We are proud to enact regulations that require operators to offer resources, including live support if appropriate, to those struggling with problem gambling," stated Attorney General Davenport. "We have a responsibility to keep the gaming industry accountable and ensure that help is available to those who need it."
The new rules mandate that operators:
- Prominently Display Responsible Gaming Information: This includes easily accessible links to responsible gaming resources and self-exclusion programs on all platforms.
- Provide Tools for Player Control: Operators must offer features allowing players to set deposit limits, spending limits, session time limits, and self-exclusion periods.
- Offer Direct Access to Support: Players should have straightforward access to problem gambling support services, including live chat or phone support.
- Implement Age Verification and Player Protection Measures: Robust systems must be in place to prevent underage gambling and to identify and intervene with potentially at-risk players.
Furthermore, operators are now required to actively monitor and review customers exhibiting specific behaviors indicative of problematic gambling. These include:
- Significant Increases in Deposit Amounts or Frequency: Sudden and substantial changes in spending patterns.
- Chasing Losses: Repeatedly gambling to recover previous losses.
- Extended Play Sessions: Consistently lengthy periods of continuous gambling.
- Increased Frequency of Play: A noticeable rise in how often a player engages in gaming.
- Multiple Failed Attempts at Self-Exclusion: Demonstrating a persistent inability to control gambling behavior.
- Gambling Despite Expressed Concerns: Continuing to wager after acknowledging personal problems related to gambling.
Governor Mikie Sherrill lauded these advancements, stating, "New Jersey continues to lead the way in developing data driven best practices for Internet gaming and online sports wagering. We continue to work to make the online world safer and to focus on safeguards that protect people’s wellbeing and help connect those who are struggling with the support they need."
The intervention process for at-risk players is structured in three phases:
- Early Intervention: Identifying potential issues through data analysis and offering immediate support and resources.
- Active Intervention: Engaging directly with players showing more pronounced signs of problematic behavior, offering personalized guidance and support.
- Exclusion and Referral: Implementing temporary or permanent self-exclusion measures and facilitating referrals to professional problem gambling services.
The Economic Implications: A Tale of Two Regions
The potential expansion of casino gaming into North Jersey, specifically at the Meadowlands, has ignited concerns about economic redistribution. Speakers at the October 20th briefing highlighted that such a move could siphon jobs and revenue from economically challenged areas of South Jersey and funnel them into affluent North Jersey counties.
County Executive Dennis Levinson voiced his strong opposition to this prospect, citing the stark economic disparities. "I have 35,000 people below the poverty level here in Atlantic County. We’ve been surpassed by Salem County. We’re 20 of 21 counties with only one other county poorer than us," Levinson stated. "Repeat that 35,000 people below the poverty level. That’s only $33,000 a year." He argued that diverting gaming revenue to wealthier regions would exacerbate existing inequalities.
The convention market, a vital component of Atlantic City’s tourism economy, is also seen as vulnerable. Slusher predicted that regardless of North Jersey casino developments, online gaming and new New York casinos will exert pressure. He pointed out that half of Atlantic City’s convention business is driven by the convention industry itself, with the other half directly tied to casino hotels. A decline in casino revenue could therefore have a cascading effect on the convention sector.
"Anybody talking about building a convention center? It’s very, very concerning to us based on the impact that could have, so our recommendations is to fund convention-led hospitality reinvestment, extremely important – we want to make casino gaming one attraction among many already in Atlantic City," Slusher urged. "We must continue investment for fiscal casino hotel destinations. Our casino hotels have put billions of dollars into their facilities, and we’re saying we’ve got to keep that incentive so that they continue to do that."
A Legal Hurdle and a Potential Timeline
The expansion of casino gaming into North Jersey would necessitate a new constitutional amendment, as the current amendment, approved in 1976, restricts casino gambling solely to Atlantic City. A statewide referendum on such an amendment could occur as early as November 2027, or during a subsequent general election.
An August 2026 filing by Ark Restaurants Corp., an investor in New Meadowlands Racetrack LLC, indicated that the New Jersey Legislature missed an August 3rd deadline to advance a constitutional amendment for casino gambling at the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park racetracks. However, the filing confirmed that a statewide referendum remains a possibility.
If voters approve such an amendment, a temporary casino at the Meadowlands could potentially open within a year of approval, followed by a permanent facility within approximately two years, contingent on licensing and development processes.
The projected timeline for these developments is as follows:
- November 2027 (or later): Potential statewide referendum on constitutional amendment for North Jersey casinos.
- 12-24 Months Post-Approval: Construction and opening of a temporary and then permanent casino facility in North Jersey.
- 2030: Scheduled opening of two additional casinos in New York.
- 2035: Projected impact assessment of these expansions on Atlantic City.
As New Jersey’s gaming industry navigates these complex challenges, the interplay between economic realities, evolving consumer behavior, and a commitment to responsible practices will shape its future. The coming years will undoubtedly test the resilience and adaptability of this vital sector, demanding strategic foresight and a balanced approach to growth and player protection.
