New Jersey is one of the most rich gambling states in the US with more than 30 iGaming operators, 13 online sportsbooks and nine retail casinos in Atlantic City. With a market that large, there’s no doubt that 2025 is going to bring interesting gambling news.
All three of New Jersey’s verticals are strong, with some having more momentum over the other. For example, New Jersey online casinos are battling with Atlantic City casinos in monthly revenue for the first time ever. Properties in Atlantic City are also going through a smoking debate which involves many casino workers.
Also, the New Jersey online poker market expanded when one prominent operator started pooling players from Michigan as part of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA).
How NJ iGaming and Atlantic City casino revenue could shape up in 2025
Online casinos in the state have been threatening the Atlantic City market in 2025, and finally passed it for the first time ever last October. iGaming revenue came in at $213.6 million, a state record at the time, while retail earnings produced $208.7 million.
Here’s how the last several months have looked for both verticals:
| NJ Online Casino Revenue | Atlantic City Casinos Revenue | |
|---|---|---|
| August | $198.4 million | $294 million |
| September | $208.1 million | $230.6 million |
| October | $214 million | $208.7 million |
| November | $213.6 million | $224 million |
The battle will remain in 2025, especially as Atlantic City casinos hit the height of its off-season. In the months of January through April, that’s going to leave the door open for the iGaming vertical to take over. Operators set another record in November by generating $214 million in online casino revenue. However, retail properties were able to rebound.
However, the summer months of June through August, Atlantic City casinos should reclaim its dominance. In the those months of 2024, properties reported the following totals:
- June: $244.1 million
- July: $272.3 million
- August: $294 million
Online casinos would have to make a monumental leap to compete with Atlantic City casinos in the summer. However, until then, the iGaming and retail casino verticals are going to create plenty of storylines in 2025.
Will smoking debate be solved in 2025?
Smoking inside Atlantic City casinos has been a major story in 2024, which is likely to continue into 2025. Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE), an organization made up of casino workers, has made several public protests in order to grab the attention of important lawmakers within the state.
The group even filed a lawsuit last year, which ultimately did not go its way. CEASE appealed the ruling as it currently sits in the Appellate Division.
In addition to public protests, CEASE published digital campaigns in certain key districts, which displays the life of casino workers and their families. The idea was to show lawmakers how unsafe it is that employees are subjected to breathing in second-hand smoke.
The legal route is expected to take shape in 2025, although a timeline of a ruling is always fluid. In the meantime, CEASE is going to continue to fight for clean air, which would increase the health of many workers in Atlantic City.
Gov. Phil Murphy has publicly stated he would sign a bill that would ban smoking, should one come across his desk. As he reaches the end of his term in 2025, there are currently 10 candidates that are running for mayor. They each of discussed their own stances on the smoking issue.
Poker industry gets an added boost from player pooling
A New Jersey poker operator give the gambling industry a lift with news later in the year. BetMGM announced that it merged player pools with Michigan as part of MSIGA. That now comes with the following features:
- More Cash Games: Hold ‘Em and Omaha games are available 24/7 from micros to high stakes.
- Increased SPINS Multiplier: Players can win up to $100,000 as top multipliers have all increased 2400x the SPINS buy-in with a new $50 buy-in.
- New Tournament Schedule: Features increased weekly guarantees.
- Big Shots: BetMGM’s newest weekly tournament series.
Pennsylvania announced earlier this week that is has been making progress in MSIGA. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) said that it has officially accepted an invitation.
There’s no doubt that BetMGM Poker‘s combined player pool with Michigan is foreshadowing a similar to move to Pennsylvania.
The Garden State has five poker platforms that are going to benefit greatly from Pennsylvania’s arrival. Even more combined player pools, from an even bigger state, is going to increase prizes in tournaments.
It also gives New Jersey players the flexibility to travel back and forth from a neighboring state and compete in the same tournaments. No other states has that luxury, yet.
Pennsylvania is expected to join MSIGA at some point in the second quarter of this year.
These stories are expected to evolve as we shift 2025. As dynamic of a gambling state as New Jersey is, there are going to bigger storylines to talk about as the year progresses.
