Despite several gloom and doom predictions regarding the health of New Jersey’s gaming industry, the data suggest an alternate reality, with 2025 surpassing the previous year in virtually all of the verticals measured.
Betting Business Is Bustling
Reports regarding last year’s Garden State gaming industry were welcome news for casino operators and all of the stakeholders associated with it. In December alone, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) reported that the state’s casinos, racetracks, and their partners generated $605.6 million in total gaming revenue, an increase of 15.9% from December 2024’s $522.6 million.
But December was not an anomaly, as the DGE also reported that New Jersey’s total gaming revenue soared to $6.98 billion in 2025, 10.8% higher than 2024’s $6.3 billion. The state’s tax coffers swelled to $844.1 million in 2025 because of it.
Casino Revenue Slips In December
However, the state’s casino revenue for the final month of the year, $216.1 million, experienced a 6.7% decline from the previous year’s $231.8 million. However, the total yearly tally revealed casinos winning $2.89 billion, a 2.7% increase over the previous year.
Conversely, iGaming in New Jersey has caught fire, showing a profit of $273.2 million in December 2025 compared to $228 million in online casino revenue in December 2024. The yearly take was impressive as well, with iGaming revenue in 2025 reported to be $2.91 billion, a whopping 22% year-over-year increase.
Sports Betting Revenue Jumps Year Over Year
But the largest uptick in December came from sports betting gross revenue, which saw a staggering 85% year-over-year increase from the previous December, soaring to $116.3 million from $62.8 million. The total yearly increase of 7.5% in the sports betting vertical was far more modest.
The Great Debate
Smoking inside New Jersey’s casinos remains a topic of discussion. The casino operators oppose a ban, citing statistics that it will drive away their older customers into other smoking-friendly jurisdictions. However, several of the state’s hospitality unions are eager to welcome a ban, blaming secondhand smoke for putting their members at risk.
A law enacted in 2008, Atlantic City Ordinance #95, mandated that a maximum of 25% of New Jersey’s casino floors could be used for smoking while 75% must be designated as non-smoking areas. It was a step in the right direction, say anti-smoking groups, but they believe more has to be done.
Senate Bill 212 And Legislative Outlook
Senate Bill 212, sponsored by Senators Shirley Turner and Joseph Vitale, would eliminate the exemption casinos are granted from the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act that allows smoking in casinos and simulcasting facilities. Although the bill has garnered bipartisan support, it remains uncertain if it will successfully navigate the legislative process this year.
Last year, a similar bill, S264, also had bipartisan backing, but it was unable to get passed despite several legislative members supporting it and gaining the approval of union officials and anti-smoking groups. The debate has been brewing for several years, but the Boardwalk casino operators remain adamantly opposed.
