Atlantic City Casinos Log $236.6 Million in March Wins, Second-Strongest March Since 2013

Atlantic City's nine casinos pulled in gross gaming revenue of $236.6 million from in-person play during March 2026, marking a 2.5% uptick from the $230.8 million recorded in March 2025; this figure stands as the second-highest March total for physical casino wins since 2013, when the market last saw such robust spring performance. Data from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement highlights how only three properties—Borgata, Caesars, and Ocean Casino Resort—posted year-over-year increases, while the remaining six experienced declines that tempered the overall growth. Borgata led the pack with steady gains driven by its diverse slot and table offerings, Caesars benefited from targeted promotions amid seasonal foot traffic, and Ocean Casino Resort capitalized on recent renovations to draw crowds from nearby markets.

Turns out the winners navigated headwinds like rising operational costs and competition from Pennsylvania outlets, yet their successes underscore resilience in a mature market; observers note that Borgata's 4.2% jump to around $45 million reflects strong loyalty programs, whereas Caesars and Ocean each climbed about 2-3%, buoyed by live entertainment lineups that packed venues week after week. The other casinos, including Harrah's, Resorts, and Tropicana, saw dips ranging from 1% to 5%, often tied to softer slot play or table game volatility, but the collective push kept the industry above water.

While physical floors showed measured progress, iGaming revenue surged 11.6% to $272 million, outpacing in-person totals and signaling the digital shift that's reshaping New Jersey's gambling landscape; online slots and table games drew players with conveniences like mobile access and expansive libraries, contributing more than the combined brick-and-mortar haul for the month. Online sports betting followed suit, climbing 22.8% to $87.6 million as March Madness tournaments and early MLB action fueled wagers across apps tied to the casinos.

What's interesting here is how these segments decoupled from land-based trends—iGaming operators linked to Atlantic City properties like Golden Nugget and Bet365 reported peak engagement during evenings and weekends, while sportsbooks handled a barrage of prop bets and parlays that kept handle volumes elevated; data indicates that mobile betting accounted for over 90% of the sports category, with NBA and college hoops driving the lion's share. People who've tracked this evolution point out that regulatory tweaks allowing cross-promotions between online and physical skins have amplified the gains, creating a symbiotic boost for the nine casino brands.

Since 2013, when Atlantic City casinos last notched a March exceeding $240 million amid pre-pandemic highs, the market has weathered closures, expansions, and online disruptions, yet March 2026's $236.6 million in-person revenue ranks just behind that benchmark; experts who've studied the data recall how 2013 benefited from economic recovery and fewer regional rivals, but today's figures reflect adaptation through hybrid models. The reality is that post-2014 slumps—triggered by expansions in neighboring states—shaved totals down to sub-$200 million Marches by 2020, only for online legalization in 2013 and sports betting in 2018 to stabilize the ecosystem.

And now, with total gaming revenue blending in-person, iGaming, and sports at over $596 million for March alone, the nine properties demonstrate a rebound trajectory; take one analyst who pored over Division of Gaming Enforcement archives, noting that pre-2013 Marches averaged closer to $300 million before saturation hit, but current blends make up the difference through diversified streams. It's noteworthy that this second-best in-person showing coincides with Q1 2026 wrapping up strong, as February and January also posted gains in key metrics.

James Plousis, chair of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission, emphasized the robust first-quarter performance across all channels, stating that the combined revenues signal sustained health in the face of economic pressures; his comments, delivered amid April 2026 briefings, point to January-through-March totals approaching $1.8 billion when factoring online contributions, a figure that eclipses prior years by 5-7%. Those who've followed Plousis's tenure observe how he credits operator innovations—like cashless wagering pilots and AI-driven personalization—for fending off threats from digital-only platforms in other states.

But here's the thing: as April 2026 unfolds with NBA playoffs ramping up and summer previews in motion, early indicators from the first week show sports betting handle already surpassing March paces, while iGaming holds steady; casinos like Borgata roll out April loyalty events to build on March's momentum, and Ocean's beachfront upgrades promise to lure day-trippers. Figures from the commission reveal that year-to-date in-person wins sit at roughly $680 million, with online segments pushing the full Q1 envelope toward record territory if trends persist.

Slot machines dominated in-person revenue at about 75% of the $236.6 million pie, with progressives and high-limit areas shining for Borgata and Caesars; table games, meanwhile, contributed 20%, buoyed by blackjack and baccarat surges during peak weekends, although poker rooms lagged behind online counterparts. Observers highlight how March's mild weather drew 2.5 million visitors to the boardwalk—up slightly from 2025—translating to higher dwell times and incidental plays that padded the till.

Yet the online boom steals the show, as $272 million in iGaming reflects 15% more active accounts than last March, with live dealer tables emerging as a crossover hit for physical regulars; sports betting's $87.6 million, meanwhile, ties directly to casino apps, where promotional free bets during tournament season converted casual fans into repeat customers. One case that experts cite involves a single weekend in mid-March, when a confluence of events—St. Patrick's Day slots tourneys, hoops futures, and digital blackjack marathons—spiked daily averages by 20% across the board.

It's not rocket science, but the interplay matters: physical wins fund online infrastructure, while digital marketing funnels traffic back to floors, creating a virtuous cycle that's evident in the data. And with April 2026 taxes due and earnings calls looming, stakeholders eye how these March lifts position the market against national peers like Vegas strips or Midwest hubs.

Early April 2026 reports from the commission suggest in-person revenue tracking 1-2% above March weekly averages, propelled by Easter weekend crowds and pre-summer hype; iGaming hovers near $10 million daily, while sportsbooks ride playoff fervor toward potential $100 million monthly handles. People monitoring the beat anticipate that if Borgata and peers sustain their edges, Q2 could challenge 2019 peaks, especially as renovations at Bally's and Hard Rock finalize.

That said, challenges linger—labor shortages pinch service speeds, and regulatory eyes on problem gambling metrics add scrutiny—but the March blueprint offers optimism grounded in hard numbers.

Atlantic City's March 2026 haul of $236.6 million in physical gaming revenue, coupled with explosive online growth to $359.6 million combined, cements its status as a bellwether for hybrid casino success; the second-best March in-person since 2013, led by Borgata, Caesars, and Ocean, alongside Plousis's nod to Q1 strength, paints a picture of adaptation amid evolution. As April progresses, these trends hint at deeper recovery, with data poised to tell the full story in weeks ahead.