New Jersey’s gaming industry extended its streak above the half-billion-dollar mark in February, with total revenue reaching $520.8 million, a 7.4% increase from $484.8 million a year earlier, according to figures released by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.
The performance marked the twelfth consecutive month that total gaming revenue exceeded $500 million, with online gambling continuing to drive growth across the market.
Internet gaming generated $251.8 million during the month, rising 21.2% from $207.8 million a year earlier and maintaining its position as the largest contributor to overall revenue. The segment has now crossed $250 million for five straight months and continues to outperform traditional casino operations.
Regulators attributed part of the change to weather disruptions late in the month. New Jersey Casino Control Commission Chairman James Plousis said: “With the region impeded by a blizzard in late February, Atlantic City casinos reported a marginal decline in monthly casino win.”
“Internet gaming win recorded double-digit percentage growth in February, eclipsing $250 million for a fifth consecutive month. Year-to-date, internet gaming win eclipsed $500 million faster than any other year on record.”
He added that online casinos played a central role in sustaining overall growth, noting that total gaming revenue has now remained above $500 million for a full year.
Land-based casinos reported $202.9 million in revenue for February, a 0.3% decline from $203.5 million a year earlier, as severe winter conditions limited foot traffic. Snow and ice affected much of the state and surrounding regions during the month, reducing in-person gambling activity.
Jane Bokunewicz
Jane Bokunewicz, faculty director of Stockton University’s Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism, said the harsher winter compared to recent years contributed to the dip in brick-and-mortar revenue. She noted that the same conditions likely encouraged more players to shift to digital platforms.
“The same weather that may have suppressed brick-and-mortar revenues also likely gave internet gaming a small boost,” she said. “This boost, while still not quite enough to surpass December 2025’s record single-month internet gross gaming revenue, did result in a fourth consecutive month of internet gaming revenues exceeding revenues from traditional land-based operations.”
The widening gap between online and in-person gaming was evident in February, with internet revenue exceeding casino earnings by nearly $50 million. Sports wagering moved in the opposite direction. Revenue from sports betting totaled $66 million, down 10.3% from $73.6 million a year earlier, while total wagers fell 14.4% to $846.4 million from $988.9 million in February 2025.
Bokunewicz said expectations of strong Super Bowl betting activity did not translate into higher returns for operators, with both betting volume and revenue declining compared to last year. She added that it remains unclear whether emerging alternatives, such as prediction markets or other factors, contributed to the outcome.
At the property level, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa led the market in in-person revenue with $53.7 million, up 7.7% year-over-year. Hard Rock Atlantic City recorded $35.9 million, down 14.2%, while Ocean Casino Resort reported $35.4 million, up 9.4%. Slot machines generated $152 million in revenue, compared with $50 million from table games.
Tax collections from gaming activity rose notably. “Revenue from gaming taxes continues to increase with total gaming taxes for February 2026 ($84,406,413) exceeding February 2025 totals ($53,325,315) by more than 58%,” said Bokunewicz.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2026/03/18/118132-online-gaming-growth-keeps-new-jersey-above-500m-in-february-amid-winter-casino-dip
