New Jersey igaming hits records as 2023 gets off to a strong start

MGM Borgata Atlantic City, New Jersey

New Jersey casinos, racetracks and their partners have kick started 2023 in strong fashion via a 14.5 per cent year-on-year January revenue uptick to $436.9m (2021: $381.7m).

After the entire ecosystem smashed the $5bn barrier through the past year, the Garden State’s Division of Gaming Enforcement disclosed that the current year has begun with a record igaming performance.

During the month, online casinos and poker rooms saw revenue grow 10.9 per cent YoY to $152.9m (2021: $137.8), which surpasses the $151.45m performance witnessed through the final month of 2022.

However, despite retaining its place at the top of the region’s online casino mountain, Borgata’s $40.79m, up 4.3 per cent from 2021’s $39.1m, only closed fractionally ahead of the chasing pack.

Golden Nugget recorded an 11.3 per cent jump to close the month at $40.59m (2021: $36.48m), with Resorts Digital fractionally behind with $40.22m, which represents a 21.8 per cent increase from $33m.

According to filings received by the state regulator, total win across the nine casino hotel properties increased 15.3 per cent to $211.67m (2021: $183.64m).

The familiarity continued among the three leading venues with Borgata on top courtesy of a 20.6 per cent rise to $58.37m (2021: $48.39m), ahead of Hard Rock’s $35.91m (2021: $34.73m) and Ocean Casino’s 26.4 per cent rise to $30.52m (2021: $24.14m).

Per casino vertical, slot machines recorded a revenue of $151.81m, a 17.6 per cent downfall year-on-year from $129m, while table games earned $59.85m, up 9.7 per cent from the $54.58m recorded one year earlier.

Elsewhere, the region’s sports wagering handle closed the month at $1.08bn, with online contributing $1.01bn of that figure. The state’s sportsbooks gained $72.33m in September gross revenue, which is up 20.2 per cent YoY from $60.19m.

Looking at the monthly figures a little closer, Meadowlands came out on top with revenue of $47.7m (2021: $38.39m), ahead of Resorts Digital’s $12.68m (2021: $10.16m) and Borgata’s $6.77m (2021: $4.85m).

On the sports wagering front, losses through the month were felt at Bally’s, Caesars, Harrah’s and Resorts.

Craig Davies

Craig has been in journalism since 2011, after graduating from the University of Central Lancashire the previous year. Several roles in the news and sports print media ensued, before a two year...