New Jersey’s gambling industry extended its strong run in February, surpassing the $500 million mark for the twelfth month in a row as online platforms continued to drive overall growth. Data released by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement showed total gaming revenue reached $520.8 million, representing a 7.4% increase compared with $484.8 million recorded in the same month last year.

The latest figures highlight a continued shift in how consumers engage with gambling in the state, with digital platforms playing a central role in maintaining revenue growth despite weaker results in other segments.

Online Gambling Drives Monthly Gains

Internet gaming once again led the market, generating $251.8 million in February revenue. This marked a 21.2% increase from $207.8 million a year earlier and represented the fifth consecutive month that online casino earnings exceeded $250 million. Year-to-date figures show internet gaming revenue reached $510.7 million through February, up 18.9% from the same period last year.

Industry officials noted that digital performance helped sustain overall growth during a challenging winter period. New Jersey Casino Control Commission Chairman James Plousis pointed to the impact of weather conditions and the strength of online operations, stating, “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 also emphasized the broader trend supporting the market’s consistency: “Online casinos drove a respectable 7.4% increase in State-wide total gaming revenue in February — total gaming revenue has now exceeded one-half billion dollars in twelve consecutive months.”

The sustained growth of online gaming has led to four straight months in which digital revenue surpassed that of traditional Atlantic City casinos, signaling a continued evolution in consumer preferences.

Atlantic City and Sports Betting Face Declines

While online gaming expanded, Atlantic City’s nine casino properties reported a slight decline in performance. Combined casino win totaled $202.9 million in February, down 0.3% from $203.5 million in February 2025. Despite the monthly dip, year-to-date casino revenue reached $416.2 million, reflecting a modest 0.7% increase.

Analysts attributed the decline in part to seasonal conditions. Jane Bokunewicz of Stockton University explained, “Amid a harsher winter than in recent years, Atlantic City’s casino operators saw a modest decline in brick-and-mortar gross gaming revenue in February 2026 compared to February 2025.” She added that weather likely influenced player behavior, saying, “The same weather that may have suppressed brick-and-mortar revenues also likely gave internet gaming a small boost.”

The gap between digital and in-person gambling narrowed further as online platforms outperformed physical casinos for a fourth consecutive month.

Performance varied among individual casino operators. Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa led the market with $53.7 million in revenue, posting a 7.7% increase compared with the previous year. Ocean Casino Resort followed with $35.4 million, up 9.4%, while Hard Rock Atlantic City reported $35.9 million, reflecting a 14.2% decline.

Sports betting also experienced a downturn during the month. Revenue from sports wagering came in at $66 million, a 10.3% decrease from $73.6 million a year earlier. Total betting volume fell as well, dropping 14.4% to $846.4 million from $988.9 million in February 2025. Year-to-date sports wagering revenue reached $180.7 million, down 7.7% compared with the prior year.

Bokunewicz noted that even major events failed to boost results as expected. “Although U.S. patrons were expected to wager a record $1.76 billion legally on Super Bowl LX, this activity did not translate into gains for New Jersey sportsbook operators as both handle and win were down year-over-year,” she said. “It is unclear whether prediction markets influenced this outcome or if there are other variables in play.”

Tax Revenue and Market Outlook

Despite mixed performance across segments, overall tax contributions from gaming increased significantly. February gaming taxes totaled $84,406,413, rising more than 58% from $53,325,315 in the same month last year. Official figures from regulators also reported total gross revenue taxes of $74.8 million for February, with $161.3 million collected year-to-date.

The continued growth in tax revenue reflects the strength of the overall market, even as certain segments face short-term pressures. Analysts suggest the resilience of online gaming has helped stabilize the industry during periods of disruption, including seasonal weather challenges.

Recent developments in the digital sector further highlight its momentum. A Caesars Rewards player secured a $1.2 million jackpot in January while playing an online slot game, marking the largest payout of its kind for the company’s digital platforms. The same title has produced multiple high-value wins in recent months, underscoring the growing appeal of online casino offerings.

With total gaming revenue reaching $1.11 billion through the first two months of 2026, up 6.6% year over year, New Jersey’s gambling industry continues to show steady expansion. The data suggests that while traditional casino and sports betting segments remain important, online gaming has become the primary force shaping the market’s trajectory.