Casinos and online platforms keep growing, while lawmakers eye new betting restrictions.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement has published its July results, showing total gaming revenue for casinos, racetracks and their partners reached $606.2m. That marks a 10.7% year-on-year increase and a 4.2% rise compared to June, underlining the state’s strong summer performance.
But the month also revealed shifting patterns between casinos, online gaming and sports betting.
Casino floors steady, online gaming surges
Brick-and-mortar casinos held firm, while internet gaming continued to drive growth.
The nine casino hotels posted a casino win of $284.1m, an increase of 4.3% from July 2024. While modest compared to online growth, the numbers show the resilience of Atlantic City’s gaming floors.
Meanwhile, internet gaming win climbed to $247.3m, up 26.6% year-on-year. The figures reinforce the strength of New Jersey’s online market, which has been expanding steadily as players continue to shift towards digital channels.
Together, these segments contributed to a gross revenue tax of $81.7m for the month.
Sports betting slips in July
The only decline came in sports wagering, which fell compared to last year.
Sports betting revenue totalled $74.8m, down 6.6% from July 2024. The decline reflects both seasonal factors, summer months typically see lighter sports calendars, and increased competition across regulated markets.
Year-to-date figures paint a clearer picture: while casino win rose 2.2% to $1.66bn and internet gaming grew 23.3% to $1.63bn, sports wagering dropped 4% to $626.8m.
The shift shows where momentum is strongest, and where challenges remain.
Lawmakers target micro betting
Even as revenue grows, legislators are pushing for tighter betting rules.
In July, Assemblyman Dan Hutchison introduced Bill A5971, a proposal to ban micro bets in the state. These are wagers placed on highly specific in-game events, such as the outcome of the next play in a football match.
The bill would prohibit sports wagering licensees from offering or accepting such bets. Operators who fail to comply could face a disorderly person’s offence and fines ranging from $500 to $1,000 per incident.
The proposal adds a regulatory wrinkle at a time when the state is balancing market growth with concerns over betting-related harm.
Online strength offsets volatility elsewhere
The long-term trend continues to favour internet gaming as the state’s main growth engine.
The July results highlight the changing balance of New Jersey’s gambling industry. While casinos remain stable and sports betting fluctuates, online gaming is powering ahead, providing a reliable boost to both operators and state coffers.
Analysts note that this mix helps shield New Jersey from seasonal dips in one vertical, offering a diversified base of revenue streams.
What’s next?
New Jersey’s market continues to adapt, but tax revenue shows the model is working.
With more than $600m in monthly gaming revenue, the state remains one of the most significant gambling hubs in the US. The challenge for regulators and operators will be to manage ongoing growth while addressing emerging concerns, from micro betting to player protection.
As summer turns to autumn, all eyes will be on whether internet gaming can sustain its rapid climb, and how sports betting rebounds with the return of major leagues.
Source: Focus Gaming News
