LIGHT Comments on the March 2026 New Jersey DGE Numbers

April 16, 2026

Comments from Jane Bokunewicz, faculty director of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism (LIGHT), Stockton University School of Business, on the March 2026 numbers released Thursday by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement:

 
Despite one of the worst winters in recent years, first quarter 2026 brick-and-mortar casino gross gaming revenue (GGR) surprisingly increased over the same period in 2025. Even so, internet gaming exceeded traditional gaming channels for total first quarter GGR and represented nearly half of total GGR for the period. 

March 2026 marks the seventh consecutive month where GGR for internet gaming has exceeded traditional, brick-and-mortar channels. The fact that brick-and-mortar gaming has not exceeded internet gaming since August 2025 may be indicative of a high degree of seasonality when it comes to in-person gaming. As the weather warms and a visit to the shore becomes increasingly attractive, it will be interesting to see how this trend evolves. 
The convenience of gaming via online channels, especially when weather is not at its best, is likely to continue resulting in growth for internet gaming operations and flat brick-and-mortar performance in the shoulder and off seasons. However we should see some year-over-year growth in brick-and-mortar during the peak summer tourism season. 

Just as during the pandemic, online gaming operations may prove to be an asset as competition for convenience gamblers increases with the introduction of downstate New York casinos. The benefit of this will be limited by properties’ revenue-sharing agreements with third-party business partners and affiliates. 
To succeed with brick-and-mortar operations, it will become increasingly necessary for Atlantic City’s casino resorts to “lean in” to their on-property assets to make the in-person experience sufficiently enticing and distinctive to attract patrons in this competitive market.