ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Atlantic City's casinos won almost $3.3 billion from gamblers in 2019, helped by surging sports and internet bets as the seaside resort continued to rebound from a mid-decade meltdown that saw five casinos close.
- Atlantic City Casino Revenue February 2019 Dates
- Atlantic City Casino Revenue February 2019 2020
- Atlantic City Casino Revenue February 2019 Schedule
- Atlantic City Casino Revenue February 2019 Holiday
Land-based gross gaming revenue (GGR) in Atlantic City totaled $177.2 million, a 9.2 percent increase compared to the same month in 2018. Internet casinos won $33.6 million, a 53 percent surge,. Month after month, Atlantic City casino gaming revenue continues to grow. November 2019 proved no exception. In fact, as reported in a Dec. 13 article on PressofAtlanticCity.com, according to the latest reports from the Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE), the nine Atlantic City casinos achieved a new milestone in November.
Figures released Tuesday by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement show the nine casinos collectively won $3.29 billion in 2019, an increase of over 15% from 2018.
When an additional $300 million in sports betting revenue is added to the equation, the casinos and two racetracks that offer sports betting won $3.46 billion last year, a figure that does not include money from horse racing bets.
Quapaw casino in miami oklahoma casino. It marked the first year since 2012 that Atlantic City's casinos had won more than $3 billion from gamblers.
That was right before a brutal stretch from 2014 to 2016 that saw five of the then-12 casinos shut down, and more than 11,000 jobs lost.
The reopening in 2018 of the former Trump Taj Mahal as Hard Rock and the former Revel as the Ocean Casino Resort has brought added revenue and jobs to the market.
But those same two new casinos also are diluting the profitability of the seven casinos that were in business before they reopened. For the first three quarters of 2019, the nine casinos reported a cumulative gross operating profit of $484 million, down 4.5% from the same period in 2018.
'The revenue increase is a positive,' said David Schwartz, a gambling historian with the University of Nevada Las Vegas. 'Right now the industry should be in ‘grow-the-market' mode rather than seeking to consolidate profits, so a decrease in profits isn't necessarily the worst news we could get. Overall, what Atlantic City needs right now is to improve its image and marketing and become a destination in a crowded Northeast casino market.'
Rummy Pandit, a gambling analyst with Stockton University, said Atlantic City has successfully diversified its gambling offerings, particularly through sports betting and internet gambling. Those two products, developed since November 2013, now account for more than 18% of Atlantic City's winnings, he said.
The news was not all positive. Five of the nine casinos won less money in 2019 than they did in 2018. Tropicana was down 8.2% to $349.5 million; Harrah's was down 6.1% to $312.6 million; Bally's was down 5.4% to $181.5 million; Caesars was down 3.7% to $270.9 million; and Resorts was down 3.2% to $178.4 million.
The Golden Nugget was up 15.4% to $378.4 million. It finished the year as the No. 2 casino in Atlantic City in terms of revenue. The perennial leader, Borgata, was up 3.5% to $797.8 million.
There was no year-to-year comparison for the newest casinos, which had not been open for a full year in 2018. For 2019, Hard Rock won $350 million, and Ocean won $238 million.
New Jersey had a banner year at sports betting, with nearly $4.6 billion wagered on pro and college games.
The state won a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case in 2018, clearing the way for all 50 states to offer legal sports betting should they so choose. Since the first bets were taken in New Jersey in June 2018, more than $5.8 billion has been wagered on sports, putting the state right behind Nevada in the race to lead the burgeoning market.
The Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, just outside New York City, was the runaway leader in sports betting revenue with just under $150 million. It is partnered with the FanDuel sportsbook. The other racetrack to offer sports betting, Monmouth Park in Oceanport, won nearly $26 million in sports bets. Resorts Digital, which is affiliated with the DraftKings online sports book, won nearly $80 million on sports.
Internet gambling also continued to be a bright spot in 2019, with $482 million won online from gamblers, an increase of more than 61% over 2018. In the month of December, nearly $558 million was wagered on sports in New Jersey, the second-best month ever, trailing only November's total of nearly $563 million.
___
Follow Wayne Parry at http://twitter.com/WayneParryAC
New Jersey online gambling revenue crossed the $30 million mark for the second month in a row.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement released February's numbers, and NJ online casino operators reported a combined $31,748,726in revenue.
Atlantic City Casino Revenue February 2019 Dates
It's a slight downtick from the $33,594,391 from January, which was the best month ever for NJ online gambling.
But the significance of February's number is the 44.4 percent increase from the same period last year. Newcomers Hard Rock Atlantic Cityand Ocean Resort Casinowere not open at the time. February 2018 closed out with $21,992,124 in revenue.
Bottom line: NJ online gambling operators are starting 2019 on a high note.
Golden Nugget is the golden child… again
There is a pattern when it comes to the Garden State's monthly report, and it has to do with the top-performing license holder.
Atlantic City Casino Revenue February 2019 2020
Golden Nuggetcontinues to be the market leader when it comes to NJ online casino revenue.
It was the lone operator to earn more than $10 million in revenue in February.
The $10,701,266 may not stand out as much as the industry-leading $12,180,039 it generated last month, but it's a 35.7 percent improvement from the same period last year.
Here is a full breakdown of each operator and its internet gambling revenue:
| Online Casino Licensee | 2019 Feb. Revenue | 2018 Feb. Revenue | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Borgata | $4,506,716 | $3,792,013 | 18.8% |
| Caesars | $4,279,791 | $3,192,267 | 34.1% |
| Golden Nugget | $10,701,266 | $7,885,648 | 35.7% |
| Hard Rock | $1,668,777 | -- | -- |
| Ocean Resort | $483,508 | -- | -- |
| Resorts | $6,657,591 | $3,775,736 | 76.3% |
| Tropicana | $3,451,077 | $3,346,460 | 3.1% |
Resorts becomes a real contender
Resorts Digital — the online arm of Resorts Casino in Atlantic City —is No. 2 on the list with a reported $6,657,591.
But what makes this figure stand out above Golden Nugget's is the fact it experienced a whopping 76.3 percent increase from the same period last year.
Besides having its own Resortsplatform, it also partners with a number of other well-known NJ gambling sites: Sheet metal tab and slot design guide template.
The latter brand is currently integrated into the DraftKings Sportsbookapp and includes live dealer games. Just three months into its life in the market, DraftKings Casino feeds off the success of its NJ sports betting app. This likely contributes to Resorts' meteoric rise.
A standalone DraftKings Casino app could be coming this year.
Double-digit increases
Besides the two market leaders, the other NJ online gambling operators saw solid year-over-year growth.
Caesarsreported $4,279,791 and a 34.1 percent increase.
Borgata reported $4,506,716 for an 18.8 percent increase.
On the flip side, Tropicanaremained relatively flat with a 3.1 percent improvement from the same period as last year, but the $3,451,077 earned added to the positive trend.
Hard Rock and Ocean are still growing
For Hard Rock and Ocean online, the two youngest online casinos in New Jersey, comparisons are limited. But trends are visible already.
Hard Rock reported $1,668,777, which puts them toward the bottom of the pack.
But Hard Rock Online Casino has experienced growth over the last few months of its tenure in NJ. It's well on its way to its first-ever $2 million month.
It also could benefit from March Madness betting. Its online sportsbook launched Jan. 26 as an integrated app with the rest of the online gambling site. Customers using the app to place sports wagers can take advantage of the shared wallet.
Ocean remains in ownership transition. The property is in the process of being taken over by New York-based hedge fund Luxor Capital Group. And as it is, February online gambling revenue came in at just $483,508 — the lowest of any of the license holders.
What about NJ online sports betting?
On its own, gambling sites in New Jersey are a powerhouse. But the addition of online sportsbooks certainly has changed things a bit.
A chilly 28 days in February, combined with a less-than-stellarSuper Bowl betting performance, left NJ online sportsbooks with just $12.9 million in revenue. Retail books fared little better.
Atlantic City Casino Revenue February 2019 Schedule
When an additional $300 million in sports betting revenue is added to the equation, the casinos and two racetracks that offer sports betting won $3.46 billion last year, a figure that does not include money from horse racing bets.
Quapaw casino in miami oklahoma casino. It marked the first year since 2012 that Atlantic City's casinos had won more than $3 billion from gamblers.
That was right before a brutal stretch from 2014 to 2016 that saw five of the then-12 casinos shut down, and more than 11,000 jobs lost.
The reopening in 2018 of the former Trump Taj Mahal as Hard Rock and the former Revel as the Ocean Casino Resort has brought added revenue and jobs to the market.
But those same two new casinos also are diluting the profitability of the seven casinos that were in business before they reopened. For the first three quarters of 2019, the nine casinos reported a cumulative gross operating profit of $484 million, down 4.5% from the same period in 2018.
'The revenue increase is a positive,' said David Schwartz, a gambling historian with the University of Nevada Las Vegas. 'Right now the industry should be in ‘grow-the-market' mode rather than seeking to consolidate profits, so a decrease in profits isn't necessarily the worst news we could get. Overall, what Atlantic City needs right now is to improve its image and marketing and become a destination in a crowded Northeast casino market.'
Rummy Pandit, a gambling analyst with Stockton University, said Atlantic City has successfully diversified its gambling offerings, particularly through sports betting and internet gambling. Those two products, developed since November 2013, now account for more than 18% of Atlantic City's winnings, he said.
The news was not all positive. Five of the nine casinos won less money in 2019 than they did in 2018. Tropicana was down 8.2% to $349.5 million; Harrah's was down 6.1% to $312.6 million; Bally's was down 5.4% to $181.5 million; Caesars was down 3.7% to $270.9 million; and Resorts was down 3.2% to $178.4 million.
The Golden Nugget was up 15.4% to $378.4 million. It finished the year as the No. 2 casino in Atlantic City in terms of revenue. The perennial leader, Borgata, was up 3.5% to $797.8 million.
There was no year-to-year comparison for the newest casinos, which had not been open for a full year in 2018. For 2019, Hard Rock won $350 million, and Ocean won $238 million.
New Jersey had a banner year at sports betting, with nearly $4.6 billion wagered on pro and college games.
The state won a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case in 2018, clearing the way for all 50 states to offer legal sports betting should they so choose. Since the first bets were taken in New Jersey in June 2018, more than $5.8 billion has been wagered on sports, putting the state right behind Nevada in the race to lead the burgeoning market.
The Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, just outside New York City, was the runaway leader in sports betting revenue with just under $150 million. It is partnered with the FanDuel sportsbook. The other racetrack to offer sports betting, Monmouth Park in Oceanport, won nearly $26 million in sports bets. Resorts Digital, which is affiliated with the DraftKings online sports book, won nearly $80 million on sports.
Internet gambling also continued to be a bright spot in 2019, with $482 million won online from gamblers, an increase of more than 61% over 2018. In the month of December, nearly $558 million was wagered on sports in New Jersey, the second-best month ever, trailing only November's total of nearly $563 million.
___
Follow Wayne Parry at http://twitter.com/WayneParryAC
New Jersey online gambling revenue crossed the $30 million mark for the second month in a row.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement released February's numbers, and NJ online casino operators reported a combined $31,748,726in revenue.
Atlantic City Casino Revenue February 2019 Dates
It's a slight downtick from the $33,594,391 from January, which was the best month ever for NJ online gambling.
But the significance of February's number is the 44.4 percent increase from the same period last year. Newcomers Hard Rock Atlantic Cityand Ocean Resort Casinowere not open at the time. February 2018 closed out with $21,992,124 in revenue.
Bottom line: NJ online gambling operators are starting 2019 on a high note.
Golden Nugget is the golden child… again
There is a pattern when it comes to the Garden State's monthly report, and it has to do with the top-performing license holder.
Atlantic City Casino Revenue February 2019 2020
Golden Nuggetcontinues to be the market leader when it comes to NJ online casino revenue.
It was the lone operator to earn more than $10 million in revenue in February.
The $10,701,266 may not stand out as much as the industry-leading $12,180,039 it generated last month, but it's a 35.7 percent improvement from the same period last year.
Here is a full breakdown of each operator and its internet gambling revenue:
| Online Casino Licensee | 2019 Feb. Revenue | 2018 Feb. Revenue | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Borgata | $4,506,716 | $3,792,013 | 18.8% |
| Caesars | $4,279,791 | $3,192,267 | 34.1% |
| Golden Nugget | $10,701,266 | $7,885,648 | 35.7% |
| Hard Rock | $1,668,777 | -- | -- |
| Ocean Resort | $483,508 | -- | -- |
| Resorts | $6,657,591 | $3,775,736 | 76.3% |
| Tropicana | $3,451,077 | $3,346,460 | 3.1% |
Resorts becomes a real contender
Resorts Digital — the online arm of Resorts Casino in Atlantic City —is No. 2 on the list with a reported $6,657,591.
But what makes this figure stand out above Golden Nugget's is the fact it experienced a whopping 76.3 percent increase from the same period last year.
Besides having its own Resortsplatform, it also partners with a number of other well-known NJ gambling sites: Sheet metal tab and slot design guide template.
The latter brand is currently integrated into the DraftKings Sportsbookapp and includes live dealer games. Just three months into its life in the market, DraftKings Casino feeds off the success of its NJ sports betting app. This likely contributes to Resorts' meteoric rise.
A standalone DraftKings Casino app could be coming this year.
Double-digit increases
Besides the two market leaders, the other NJ online gambling operators saw solid year-over-year growth.
Caesarsreported $4,279,791 and a 34.1 percent increase.
Borgata reported $4,506,716 for an 18.8 percent increase.
On the flip side, Tropicanaremained relatively flat with a 3.1 percent improvement from the same period as last year, but the $3,451,077 earned added to the positive trend.
Hard Rock and Ocean are still growing
For Hard Rock and Ocean online, the two youngest online casinos in New Jersey, comparisons are limited. But trends are visible already.
Hard Rock reported $1,668,777, which puts them toward the bottom of the pack.
But Hard Rock Online Casino has experienced growth over the last few months of its tenure in NJ. It's well on its way to its first-ever $2 million month.
It also could benefit from March Madness betting. Its online sportsbook launched Jan. 26 as an integrated app with the rest of the online gambling site. Customers using the app to place sports wagers can take advantage of the shared wallet.
Ocean remains in ownership transition. The property is in the process of being taken over by New York-based hedge fund Luxor Capital Group. And as it is, February online gambling revenue came in at just $483,508 — the lowest of any of the license holders.
What about NJ online sports betting?
On its own, gambling sites in New Jersey are a powerhouse. But the addition of online sportsbooks certainly has changed things a bit.
A chilly 28 days in February, combined with a less-than-stellarSuper Bowl betting performance, left NJ online sportsbooks with just $12.9 million in revenue. Retail books fared little better.
Atlantic City Casino Revenue February 2019 Schedule
That being said, there is no question that online sports betting contributes heavily to the success of online casinos thanks to cross-selling. Most of the 13 sportsbook apps share wallets and sites with established online casinos.
Atlantic City Casino Revenue February 2019 Holiday
When included with NJ online casino and poker revenue, online sports betting brings the total revenue to $44.6 million in February. Not too shabby at all.
