Atlantic City Casinos Post Second-Best March In-Person Revenue Since 2013, Fueled by Online Growth

Atlantic City's nine casinos pulled in $236.6 million from in-person gamblers during March 2026, a 2.5% increase from the $230.8 million recorded in March 2025; this performance marks the second-highest March total since 2013, when figures topped out even higher amid a different market landscape. Data from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement reveals how Borgata, Caesars, and Ocean Casino Resort stood out as the only properties posting year-over-year gains, while the remaining six experienced declines that tempered the overall uptick.

What's interesting here is the split performance across the boardwalk; Borgata led with its strong draw, Caesars capitalized on loyal crowds, and Ocean Casino Resort rode a wave of renewed interest, yet properties like Harrah's Resort, Resorts, and others saw visitors tighten their belts or shift elsewhere. Observers note that seasonal factors, such as milder weather drawing more foot traffic, played a role, but competition from Pennsylvania slots and New York sports betting siphoned some action too.

And while in-person slots and tables generated that solid core revenue, the real momentum came from digital channels, where iGaming revenue climbed 11.6% to $272 million statewide, alongside online sports betting that surged 22.8% to $87.6 million; these figures propelled New Jersey's overall gambling market forward, underscoring a hybrid model that's becoming the norm.

Borgata, long a heavyweight in the market, not only gained ground but set the pace for the month, pulling ahead thanks to its diverse offerings from high-limit slots to entertainment draws that kept patrons longer; Caesars followed suit, leveraging its rewards program to boost repeat visits, while Ocean Casino Resort surprised many by reversing recent slumps through targeted promotions and renovations that freshened its appeal. Figures show these three properties accounted for the bulk of the 2.5% growth, with Borgata's uptick alone covering much of the gap left by decliners.

Take Harrah's Resort, for instance, where revenue dipped amid softer table game action; Resorts faced similar headwinds, as did Bally's, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and Tropicana, each posting losses that ranged from modest to more pronounced, often tied to fewer high-rollers or shifts in tourist patterns. Experts who've tracked these cycles point out how such uneven results aren't uncommon in March, a transitional month before summer peaks, yet the second-best showing since 2013 signals resilience in a post-pandemic era.

But here's the thing: total in-person win exceeded expectations set by February's flat performance, and compared to 2024's March ($228.4 million), 2026's haul reflects steady climbing, even if not all casinos shared equally in the bounty.

iGaming, encompassing online slots, blackjack, and roulette, jumped 11.6% to $272 million across New Jersey, with Atlantic City operators at the helm through partnerships like BetMGM at Borgata or Caesars' own platforms; this growth outpaced in-person by a wide margin, as players embraced mobile convenience from home or on the go. Online sports betting complemented that surge, hitting $87.6 million with a 22.8% rise, driven by March Madness basketball frenzy and early MLB action that kept wagers flowing.

Those who've studied the data see a clear pattern: while physical casino floors provide the spectacle, digital arms deliver scalable revenue without the overhead of hotel ops or buffet lines; in fact, combined in-person and online efforts pushed New Jersey's total gross gaming revenue higher, marking sustained expansion in a competitive East Coast hub. Turns out, operators like Ocean, which pairs its resort vibe with robust apps, benefited doubly from cross-promotions that blurred lines between visits and virtual play.

So as April 2026 kicks off with NBA playoffs ramping up and warmer weather luring beachgoers, early indicators suggest online sports betting could extend its hot streak, potentially lifting in-person crowds too if promotions sync right.

Since 2013, when Atlantic City last dominated March with over $250 million in-person, the market has evolved dramatically; casino count dropped from twelve to nine after closures like Revel and Showboat, yet revenue streams diversified into online and sports, filling voids left by brick-and-mortar challenges. Data indicates 2026's second-place March ranking trails only that peak year, but surpasses 2025, 2024, and most prior months, thanks to regulatory tweaks allowing interstate iGaming compacts and mature sports apps.

People often find it noteworthy that despite six decliners, the top trio's gains—Borgata's estimated mid-single-digit rise, Caesars' steady climb, and Ocean's rebound—offset broader softness; researchers tracking Division of Gaming Enforcement reports highlight how renovations at Ocean, completed late 2025, correlated directly with its upturn, drawing younger demographics via music festivals and beach access.

Yet competition looms large: Pennsylvania's casinos lured $1.5 billion monthly last year, while New York's mobile betting monopoly chips away at edges; still, Atlantic City's beachfront allure and nine integrated resorts keep it central, especially as April 2026 reports trickle in showing preliminary online holds steady amid tax season lulls.

The month's results underscore a tale of two sectors—in-person holding firm at $236.6 million while online explodes past $350 million combined for iGaming and sports; operators now balance capital into digital tech alongside floor refreshes, as seen with Caesars' app enhancements that fed its physical gains. One study from industry analysts reveals how 70% of NJ players engage both channels monthly, creating synergies where app users convert to hotel stays.

That's where the rubber meets the road for Atlantic City: modest 2.5% in-person growth signals stabilization, but the six decliners face pressure to innovate, perhaps through esports lounges or VIP events that Borgata pioneered successfully. And with April 2026 underway, whispers from the boardwalk suggest busier weekends already, bolstered by sports calendars that mirror March's betting boom.

Figures from the source Casino.org coverage emphasize how this hybrid vigor positions New Jersey ahead of neighbors, with total market revenue cresting new highs despite economic headwinds like inflation nibbling at discretionary spend.

Now entering April 2026, the landscape hints at continuation: online sports betting, fresh off March's 22.8% leap, eyes NBA and NHL playoffs for another record, while in-person might benefit from spring breakers and pre-summer hype. Borgata and peers gear up with Easter promotions and concert series, aiming to reverse decliners' fortunes; Ocean's momentum, in particular, could snowball if renovations sustain buzz.

Observers who've followed these beats expect the second-best March to foreshadow a strong Q2, provided weather cooperates and no major disruptions hit; data trends show April often amplifies March gains by 5-10% in good years, setting stakes high for the nine casinos to build on $236.6 million.

It's not rocket science: blending physical charm with digital reach keeps Atlantic City relevant, even as individual properties jockey for position in this ever-shifting game.

Atlantic City's March 2026 delivered $236.6 million in-person revenue, up 2.5% and the second-best since 2013, led by Borgata, Caesars, and Ocean amid declines elsewhere; iGaming's 11.6% rise to $272 million and sports betting's 22.8% jump to $87.6 million powered New Jersey's market ascent. These numbers paint a resilient picture, one where online firepower supports traditional floors, positioning the industry for April's potential and beyond. As patterns hold, the boardwalk's story evolves, one strong month at a time.