February 2026 Snapshots
In LIGHT of the data.
Amid a harsher winter than in recent years, Atlantic City鈥檚 casino operators saw a
modest decline in brick-and-mortar gross gaming revenue in February 2026 compared
to February 2025.
The same weather that may have suppressed brick-and-mortar revenues also likely gave
internet gaming a small boost. This boost, while still not quite enough to surpass
December 2025鈥檚 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.
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. It is unclear whether predictions markets influenced this outcome or if there are other variables in play.
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%.
Atlantic City Gaming Win & Total Casino Revenue
Source:
| Monthly Revenue (Casino Licensees, $ In Thousands |
February 2026 |
% Change from Prior Year | February 2025 | YTD
2026 |
% Change from Prior Year | YTD 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casino Gaming Win | $202,913 | -0.3% | 203,473 | $416,231 | 0.7% | $413,531 |
| Internet Gaming Win | $251,850 | 21.2% | $207,776 | $510,734 | 18.9% | $429,380 |
| Sports Wagering Revenue* | $35,202 | -5.3% | $37,168 | $100,939 | -0.9% | $101,902 |
| Total Gaming Win (includes Internet & Sports Wagering) | $489,965 | 9.3% | $448,418 | $1,027,905 | 8.8% | $944,813 |
| Quarterly Revenue (Industry, $ In Millions)** | Q3 2025 | % Change from Prior Year | Q3 2024 | YTD September 30, 2025 | % Change from Prior Year | YTD September 30, 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casino | $449.23 | 4.1% | $431.61 | $1,265.02 | 0.2% | $1,236.01 |
| Rooms | $229.16 | -3.8% | $238.33 | $542.42 | -4.7% | $569.15 |
| Food & Beverage | $162.55 | -1.6% | $165.13 | $425.05 | -3.3% | $439.40 |
| Entertainment & Other | $101.15 | -6.4% | $108.10 | $399.24 | 47.2% | $271.30 |
| Casino Licensees Total Net Revenue | $942.09 | -0.1% | $943.16 | $1,366.71 | 6.8% | $1,279.84 |
| Gross Operating Profit (GOP) | $236.22 | -2.7% | $242.86 | $556.89 | -3.4% | $576.66 |
* Data as reported in New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement for individual licensees for respective months. May not match . Does not include Racetracks.
** Data agregated from New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement for individual properties. May not match totals from which represent a 'snapshot' of data at the time of publication and are not retroactively updated.
Atlantic City Hotel Lodging
Source:
| Casino Hotel Lodging Statistics For the Period Ended September 30, 2025 & 2024 |
Q3 2025 | Q3 2024 | YTD 2025 | YTD 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupancy percentage | 84.3% | 84.1% | 73.3% | 74.1% |
| Average Daily Room Rate (ADR) | $195.40 | $201.08 | $178.12 | $182.97 |
| Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR)* | $164.72 | $169.11 | $130.56 | $135.58 |
* RevPAR= ADR X Occupancy Percentage
Atlantic City Casino Operator Taxes & Fees
Source:
Total Paid Taxes & Fees |
$308,255,650 | $231,340,000 | 9.34% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Taxes & Fees |
Q3 2025 | Q3 2024 | % | |||
|
Casino Gaming Gross Revenue Tax |
$52,431,661 | $50,609,000 | 3.60% | |||
|
Internet Gaming Gross Revenue Tax |
$146,247,252 | $90,330,000 | 61.90% | |||
|
Sports Wagering - Retail Gross Revenue Tax (includes racetracks) |
$559,240 | $942,000 | -40.63% | |||
|
Sports Wagering - Internet Gross Revenue Tax (includes racetracks) |
$48,894,653 | $32,493,000 | 50.48% | |||
| Investment Alternative Tax/CRDA Obligations | $28,847,645 | $25,017,000 | 15.31% | |||
| 1.25% Additional Tax | $1,806,161 | $1,775,000 | 1.70% | |||
| 1.25% EDT | $1,315,194 | $1,494,000 | -11.97% | |||
| Luxury Tax | $14,833,994 | $15,129,000 | -1.95% | |||
| Tourism Promotion Fee | $2,598,635 | $2,530,000 | 2.67% | |||
| Hotel Room Fee | $3,518,151 | $3,555,000 | -1.06% | |||
| Hotel Room Surcharge | $2,345,434 | $2,370,000 | -1.04% | |||
| Parking Fees | $4,857,630 | $5,092,000 | -4.62% | |||
Atlantic City Casino Operator Spending
Source: - Member Reported
| Total | $165,803,924 | $154,678,000 | 7.19% | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Purchase of Goods and Services From New Jersey Vendors(By County) |
Q2 2025 | Q2 2024 | % | ||
| Atlantic | $96,449,821 | $100,051,000 | -3.6% | ||
| Bergen | $1,763,377 | $2,542,000 | -30.6% | ||
| Burlington | $3,166,977 | $3,859,000 | -17.9% | ||
| Camden | $4,995,742 | $5,117,000 | -2.4% | ||
| Cape May | $2,588,684 | $2,021,000 | 28.1% | ||
| Cumberland | $5,826,216 | $5,585,000 | 4.3% | ||
| Essex | $9,958,985 | $10,880,000 | -8.5% | ||
| Gloucester | $2,483,985 | $2,621,000 | -5.2% | ||
| Hudson | $589,799 | $621,000 | -5.0% | ||
| Hunterdon | $20,210 | $28,000 | -27.8% | ||
| Mercer | $1,5925,711 | $3,690,000 | 331.6% | ||
| Middlesex | $4,063,079 | $3,425,000 | 18.6% | ||
| Monmouth | $4,560,199 | $2,689,000 | 69.6% | ||
| Morris | $1,080,211 | $1,565,000 | -31.0% | ||
| Ocean | $1,700,347 | $880,000 | 93.2% | ||
| Passaic | $1,928,613 | $926,000 | 108.3% | ||
| Salem | $103,064 | $122,000 | -15.5% | ||
| Somerset | $2,674,073 | $2,630,000 | 1.7% | ||
| Sussex | $2 | 0 | N/A | ||
| Union | $5,917,508 | $5,421,000 | 9.2% | ||
| Warren | $7,000 | $4,000 | 82.9% | ||
Other Spending |
Q2 2025 | Q2 2024 | % | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital Expenditures | $6,1344,192 | $47,678,000 | 28.7% | |||
| PILOT Contributions (Includes PILOT & additional payments under PILOT legislation) | $32,086,110 | $29,788,000 | 7.7% | |||
| CRDA Special Improvement District | $299,199 | $331,000 | -9.6% | |||
| Municipal/Atlantic City Fees- Water | $1,478,631 | $1,253,000 | 18.0% | |||
| Municipal/Atlantic City Fees- Sewer | $3,353,265 | $3,445,000 | -2.7% | |||
|
Municipal/Atlantic City Fees- Other (permits, boardwalk seating, mercantile etc.) |
$1,384,243 | $1,190,218 | 16.3%% | |||
| Charitable Contributions | $307,374 | $310,000 | -0.8% | |||
Total Spending |
$266,057,000 | $238,673,000 | 11.5% |
|---|
Atlantic City Statistical Transportation Data
Source:
|
Travel Mode |
January 2026 |
January 2025 |
Change from Prior Year |
YTD 2026 |
YTD 2025 |
Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC Expressway | ||||||
| Total Toll-Paying Traffic Pleasantville Toll Plaza |
||||||
| AC Airport | ||||||
| Scheduled Service Passengers | ||||||
| Charter Passengers | ||||||
| Total Air Passengers | ||||||
* A note regarding year-over-year comparison of Toll-Paying Traffic at Pleasantville Toll Plaza of the Atlantic City Expressway. In the period January 2020 through January 2026 tolls on the Atlantic City Expressway have increased by approximatly 52%. As of January 4, 2026 cashless tolling has been adopted at all toll plazas - this has impacted data collection and reporting.
Atlantic City Meetings and Conventions Data
Source:
| February '26 | February '25 | % Change from Prior Year |
TOTAL 2026 YTD |
TOTAL 2025 YTD |
% Change from Prior Year |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventions/Tradeshows/Meetings1 | ||||||
| # of Shows | 4 | 5 | -20% | 10 | 12 | -17% |
| # of Room Nights | 5,350 | 7,553 | -29% | 26,787 | 36,680 | -27% |
| # of Attendees3 | 20,500 | 35,246 | -42% | 76,275 | 82,832 | -8% |
| Delegate Spending | $5,126,162 | $7,752,403 | -34% | $25,118,472 | $29,088,261 | -14% |
| Boardwalk Hall Bookings | ||||||
| # of Shows | 3 | 6 | -50% | 4 | 7 | -43% |
| # of Attendees | 10.965 | 15,386 | -29% | 15,680 | 20,159 | -22% |
| Hotel Bookings | ||||||
| # of Shows | 11 | 14 | -21% | 20 | 19 | 5% |
| # of Room Nights | 12,648 | 13,764 | -8% | 18,936 | 21,901 | -14% |
| # of Attendees | 20,631 | 20,292 | 2% | 35,190 | 28,136 | 25% |
| Delegate Spending | $8,588,567 | $9,929,076 | -14% | $13,520,778 | $15,298,368 | -12% |
| Monthly Totals | ||||||
| # Convs_Trade_Mtgs / Boardwalk Hall / Hotel | 18 | 25 | -28% | 34 | 38 | -11% |
| # of Room Nights | 17,998 | 21,317 | -16% | 45,723 | 58,581 | -22% |
| # of Attendees | 52,096 | 70,924 | -27% | 127,145 | 131,127 | -3% |
| Delegate Spending | $13,714,729 | $17,681,479 | -22% | $38,639,250 | $44,386,629 | -13% |
1Includes Visit Atlantic City events booked at Boardwalk Hall
3Variance in attendance numbers due to revisions in calculating and tracking methods
Atlantic City Information
2025 safest year in Atlantic County's records - As reported by , Atlantic County Prosecutor William Reynolds announced that 2025 was Atlantic County's safest year on record. Homicides, shootings and fatal motor vehicle crashes all were down about 50%, and drug-related deaths were down nearly 46% compared to 2024. Reynolds credited law enforcement, public health partners, community stakeholders and local police departments, along with his office's detectives and assistant prosecutors for these results, and emphasized that sustained progress depends on interagency cooperation.
Atlantic City Council gives preliminary approval to Caesars Atlantic City to develop beach bar - As reported by , City Council approved a resolution that recognizes Caesars' "desire to expand the use of beach lot 25 to include a beach bar" and calls for the lease agreement governing the site to be amended to permit Caesars to construct and operate such. Additional reporting from .
"Atlantic City Urban Enterprise Zone and Property Tax Relief Act" being considered by the state Legislature - As recorded by the state Legislature and reported by , - "Atlantic City Urban Enterprise Zone and Property Tax Relief Act" has been introduced in the state Senate and referred to the Senate Economic Growth Committee. If enacted, the measure would create a temporary 10-year designation of Atlantic City as an Urban Enterprise Zone. The main benefit of this designation would be offering customers a 50% reduction in the state's 6.625% sales tax on most purchases. During the first five years of the program, all of the sales-tax revenue collected would go to Atlantic City to be used for property tax relief. In the final five years, two-thirds of the money would be used for property tax relief. Casinos would be excluded from the program, but noncasino businesses owned by outside parties located on casino property could be included if they meet other eligibility requirements.
DEEM project to develop the former Bader Field not heard at February City Council Meeting - As reported by , the $4 billion plan to turn the former Bader Field airport site into an automobile-centric development was not heard by Atlantic City Council at their regular February meeting. Mayor Marty Small Sr. told The Press to expect a special meeting to be called in March as the proposal was still being reviewed by state officials.
Investors increasingly interested in Atlantic City as evidenced by projects approved by Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) - As reported by , on February 17, the CRDA gave final approval to three big development projects totaling more than 330 units of new housing. These included a 180-unit apartment project in the Caspian Point neighborhood, 152 townhouses in the South Inlet neighborhood, and the conversion of a shuttered firehouse on Atlantic Avenue into commercial and office space.
New Jersey Gaming News
George Goldhoff named new president of the Casino Association of New Jersey - As by The Casino Association of New Jersey (CANJ) and reported by , George Goldhoff, president of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, has been named the new president of the CANJ. He succeeds Mark Giannantonio, president of Resorts Casino Hotel, who held the position for the past four years. George Goldhoff is the current Chair of LIGHT's Advisory Board.
Hard Rock online casino reaches milestone - offers more than 4,000 games - According to a February 9 from Hard Rock Bet Online Casino, the platform now offers more than 4,000 casino games in New Jersey. A number of games were recently added as the company continues to grow and diversify its online casino library.
New Jersey legislators introduce several pieces of gaming legislation in February - As recorded by the state Legislature, lawmakers introduced several gaming bills in February 2026 including - prohibiting certain prediction markets in the state and authorizing athletic event markets operating in compliance with sports wagering regulations, / - which includes electronic sports event as sports wagering and authorizes electronic sports wagering at certain locations, and - which prohibits casino and sports wagering licensees from utilizing push notifications or text messages for promotional purposes. Additional reporting from and .
National Gaming News
Bally's officially acquires land for Bronx casino hotel project - As reported by , Bally's has officially acquired 16 acres of Bronx, New York, land in a $156.6 million transaction. The property is part of the 300 acres on which Bally鈥檚 Golf Links at Ferry Point sits, and is essential to the company's plans to build a casino hotel in the borough. Bally鈥檚 previously paid the Trump Organization $60 million to acquire the lease on Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point in the Bronx.
Commercial gaming revenue generates record $18.1 billion in gaming taxes nationwide - According to a February 26 from the American Gaming Association, U.S. commercial gaming operators generated $78.72 billion in gross gaming revenue in 2025 a 9.2% increase over 2024. These gaming operations generated a record $18.09 billion in gaming tax revenue for their respective states in 2025, a 15.1% increase over 2024.
FanDuel prohibits bettors from funding their sports wagering or iGaming accounts with credit cards - As reported by and , in response to responsible gaming concerns, and have ceased accepting wagers funded on credit. The change in policy is effective as of March 2. Customers can still fund accounts using debit cards, ACH bank transfers, PayPal and other approved payment platforms.
Maryland legislature introduces online gaming bill - As recorded by the Maryland legislature and reported by , Maryland lawmakers have introduced . If adopted, the bill would allow the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to issue licenses for Internet gaming and online bingo operations.
Pennsylvania Governor, to boost state revenue, calls on General Assembly to pass a bill legalizing and taxing skill games - As reported by , in his , Pennsylvania Governor, Josh Shapiro, has asked the state's legislature to find a way to regulate and tax skill games. There are an estimated 70,000 unregulated skill games in the state, many operating under the brand name Pennsylvania Skill and often sharing locations with Pennsylvania Lottery machines.
Virginia House and Senate pass separate legislation legalizing online casinos - As recorded by the Virginia legislature and reported by and , both chambers of the Virginia legislature have passed their own version of a bill to legalize online casinos. The Senate passed , while the House passed . A conference to reconcile both versions of legislation was called for on March 4.
Hospitality & Tourism News
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City says it will spend another $50 million on capital improvements in 2026 - As reported by , Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City has announced plans to spend $50 million on room renovations and other work in 2026. The property has already begun a renovation project involving more than 700 standard guest rooms, more than 60 suites and eight penthouses in the hotel鈥檚 North Tower, along with refreshing walkways and corridors. Since opening in 2018, Hard Rock has invested over $700 million into the Boardwalk property.
The Island Waterpark at Showboat receives energy efficiency loan, the first of its kind in New Jersey - As reported by , The Island Waterpark at Showboat has received a $45.5 million energy efficiency loan under the state's C-PACE program. The loan proceeds were used to finance energy conservation and renewable energy measures retroactively, paying down construction debt associated with qualifying projects, including the building envelope, LED interior lighting, high-efficiency natural gas pool heaters and the HVAC system. This C-PACE loan was the first granted in the state since the program started taking applications on July 30, 2025.
Tropicana Atlantic City opens newly renovated hotel tower - As reported by Tropicana Atlantic City is now accepting reservations at a newly renovated hotel tower. The Solana Tower, located in the property's west wing, has 598 redesigned rooms and suites.
Visit Atlantic City hosted 205 events generating $362M in economic activity in 2025 - As reported by , at its annual meeting at the Atlantic City Convention Center, Visit Atlantic City reported that more than 200 events had been hosted in Atlantic City in 2025 resulting in more than $362 million in economic activity. The resort鈥檚 recently consolidated tourism and marketing arm also shared future marketing plans including its 2026 marketing campaign - 鈥淚conic in the Everyday."
LIGHT Snapshots is a publication of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality & Tourism, 国产传媒 School of Business
Jane Bokunewicz, Ph. D., Faculty Director and Professor of Hospitality
