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Nine retail properties, one boardwalk, and now a top 10 national ranking: Atlantic City’s gaming market has been named the 10th-best in the country for overall casino experience, according to a new study.
BetMGM Casino NJ compiled the rankings using data pulled from the American Gaming Association‘s “State of the States 2026” report. The company assessed 27 states with legal land-based properties, including Atlantic City casinos, on a series of factors tied specifically to the in-person gaming experience, then weighted those factors to produce a single ranking.
BetMGM has a strong presence in the New Jersey. On the retail side, BetMGM owns Borgata Atlantic City, the top grossing property in the state.
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Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be 21+. MI, NJ and WV only. New Customers Only (If applicable). Please Gamble Responsibly. Visit BetMGM.com for Terms and Conditions. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable site credit/Bonus Bets unless otherwise provided in the applicable terms. Rewards subject to expiry.
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A closer look at the numbers
New Jersey’s profile in the study includes nine commercial venues and more than 15,000 slot machines statewide, along with player-friendly markers like complimentary alcohol and available casino credit. Withholding policy applies to New Jersey winnings, a detail the study accounted for in its scoring.
Nevada took the top overall spot, with South Dakota and Pennsylvania close behind at second and third. New Jersey’s 10th-place finish put it ahead of two notable neighbors and rivals: Florida came in 11th, and New York followed at 12th.
Not a revenue contest
BetMGM was clear that the study wasn’t measuring which states generate the most gaming revenue. Instead, the factors centered on tangible, on-property experiences, things like smoking rules, complimentary perks and credit access, each weighted by how much it shapes a visit to the casino floor.
The company also cautioned that the AGA’s data served only as the foundation. The gaming association had no involvement in how BetMGM built or interpreted the final rankings, and other groups using different weighting could land on a different order entirely.
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Use Bonus Code: PLAYNJ
$25 on the House
PLUS 100% Deposit Match up to $1,000
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be 21+. MI, NJ and WV only. New Customers Only (If applicable). Please Gamble Responsibly. Visit BetMGM.com for Terms and Conditions. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable site credit/Bonus Bets unless otherwise provided in the applicable terms. Rewards subject to expiry.
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What it means for the boardwalk
Notably, the state’s iGaming and New Jersey sports betting markets, both among the largest in the nation, played no role in this particular ranking. The study focused strictly on the land-based experience, meaning Atlantic City earned its spot on the strength of its physical casino floors alone.
That distinction matters for a market that’s leaned heavily on digital growth in recent years. Atlantic City’s brick-and-mortar properties have also invested in dining, nightlife and non-gaming attractions to keep pace with changing visitor expectations, and this ranking suggests those efforts are paying off on paper.
