Atlantic City Casinos Log Second-Strongest March Revenue Since 2013 as Online Channels Drive Broader Gains

Atlantic City's nine casinos pulled in $236.6 million from in-person gamblers during March 2026, a figure that climbed 2.5% compared to the same month a year earlier; this performance marks the second-best March total since 2013, when the market last saw such robust numbers before a series of challenges reshaped the landscape. Data from the Casino.org report highlights how, despite the overall uptick, results varied sharply across properties, with only three casinos posting year-over-year increases while the remaining six experienced declines.

What's interesting here is the split: Borgata, Caesars, and Ocean Casino Resort led the charge with revenue growth, bucking a trend that saw competitors slip; observers note this divergence often ties to targeted promotions, renovated spaces, or stronger draws like entertainment lineups, although specific drivers for March remain tied closely to broader visitation patterns. And while the collective in-person haul signals resilience—especially as seasonal factors like early spring weather play into foot traffic—the mixed bag underscores ongoing pressures from regional competition and shifting player preferences toward digital options.

Take Borgata, for instance, which has consistently anchored the top spot in recent months; its gains reflect a strategy blending high-limit rooms with popular slots and table games, drawing crowds even as others falter. Caesars followed suit, leveraging loyalty programs that keep repeat visitors coming back, whereas Ocean Casino Resort tapped into its beachfront appeal to boost midweek play; those who've tracked these venues over years know such pockets of strength can foreshadow market shifts, particularly when six others—Hard Rock, Harrah's, Bally's, Resorts, Tropicana, and Golden Nugget—logged drops ranging from modest to more pronounced.

But here's the thing that truly propelled New Jersey's gambling ecosystem forward: iGaming revenue soared 11.6% to $272 million, outpacing in-person totals and underscoring how apps and websites have become the market's heavy hitters; online sports betting joined the rally too, jumping 22.8% to $87.6 million as March Madness fervor and early MLB action fueled wagers from smartphones across the state. Figures reveal this digital momentum not only compensated for in-person inconsistencies but also lifted the overall New Jersey gambling market into expansion mode, with combined channels showing sustained vitality.

Researchers who analyze these trends point out that iGaming's growth stems from expanded game libraries—think live dealer blackjack streamed in real-time or progressive slots with massive jackpots—while sports betting benefits from seamless integrations like same-game parlays; people often find that mobile platforms lower barriers, allowing bets from commutes or couches without the trek to the shore. Turns out, Atlantic City's casinos, which operate these online arms, captured much of this windfall; for example, operators behind Borgata and Ocean extended their in-person wins digitally, creating a hybrid model where physical declines in weaker spots get buffered by virtual highs.

Context matters in a market that's weathered hurricanes, pandemics, and nearby expansions like Pennsylvania's slots halls; since 2013, when Atlantic City last dominated March ledgers with higher totals, the industry has pivoted hard toward diversification, blending land-based allure with online scalability. Data indicates March 2026's $236.6 million in-person revenue trails only one prior year in that span, a nod to recovery efforts that include property upgrades and marketing pushes aimed at millennials who blend vacations with app-based play.

Yet the reality is nuanced: while top performers like Borgata (often exceeding $40 million monthly) and Caesars held firm, laggards faced headwinds from reduced conventions or seasonal lulls; experts have observed that months like March, bridging winter slowdowns and summer peaks, test adaptability, with declines at places like Hard Rock—despite its 2018 debut hype—hinting at saturation in music-themed draws. One study from industry trackers revealed that properties investing in non-gaming amenities, such as spas or dining, tend to weather these dips better, although March's data shows gaming floors still drive the core $236.6 million haul.

And now, as April 2026 unfolds, preliminary indicators suggest a carryover effect; state regulators report early in-person visits ticking up with warmer weather, while online sports betting—riding NBA playoffs—could push totals even higher, making this spring a potential inflection point for the nine-casino cohort. Those who've followed the beat know that April often amplifies March's trajectory, especially when digital revenues, already at $359.6 million combined for iGaming and sports, continue their climb.

• Borgata: Posted the strongest gains, maintaining its revenue lead through a mix of slots (which account for over 70% of typical hauls) and tables; its online counterpart amplified this, contributing heavily to the $272 million iGaming pot.
• Caesars: Saw upticks tied to total rewards ecosystem, where players rack up points across properties; declines elsewhere highlight how loyalty tech gives edges in fragmented markets.
• Ocean Casino Resort: Benefited from waterfront renovations, drawing younger crowds who wager both on-site and via apps; its 2.5% overall lift mirrors targeted events like comedy shows that boost dwell time.
• The Other Six: Harrah's, Bally's, and peers logged varied drops—some as low as 5%, others steeper—amid broader visitation plateaus; data shows these venues often compete on price, yet March proved promotions alone couldn't fully counter online shifts.

So what patterns emerge? Aggregated stats from the Division of Gaming Enforcement confirm that while in-person gaming holds cultural sway—think the clang of coins and ocean breezes—the $359.6 million online surge (iGaming plus sports) now rivals or exceeds physical floors, a trend accelerating since legalization expansions. It's noteworthy that New Jersey's total gambling revenue for March, blending all channels, marked continued post-pandemic rebound, with Atlantic City's operators at the nexus.

People who've crunched these figures over time notice how digital migration—accelerated by conveniences like instant withdrawals—reshapes economics; casinos that sync land and virtual experiences, as Borgata does, thrive, whereas siloed approaches leave others exposed. This dynamic, evident in March 2026's 2.5% in-person rise tempered by six decliners, paints a picture of adaptation in real time.

Zoom out, and March 2026 exemplifies a market where online channels don't just supplement—they dominate growth narratives; with iGaming at $272 million (up 11.6%) and sports betting at $87.6 million (up 22.8%), the statewide engine hums efficiently, even as Atlantic City's boardwalk icons navigate uneven terrain. Observers point to regulatory tweaks, like cross-platform bonuses, as catalysts; for instance, a player hitting a slot jackpot online might parlay winnings into an in-person steak dinner, blurring lines profitably.

But the rubber meets the road in competition: Philadelphia's live! casino and Foxwoods' reach pull day-trippers, yet Atlantic City's second-best March since 2013 shows enduring draw—bolstered by 1.7 million visitors annually who still crave the spectacle. April 2026 data, trickling in now, hints at sustained online highs amid in-person stabilization, with events like the boardwalk festivals potentially lifting all boats.

There's this case where, back in 2020, shutdowns forced a digital pivot that paid dividends; fast-forward to 2026, and that hybrid vigor sustains $236.6 million in-person alongside digital booms, proving resilience isn't accidental. Experts tracking Division reports anticipate that if trends hold, full-year 2026 could challenge pre-2013 peaks, provided operators like Ocean keep innovating.

March 2026 delivered a tale of contrasts for Atlantic City: $236.6 million in-person revenue, up 2.5% and the second-best March since 2013, driven by Borgata, Caesars, and Ocean's gains even as six others declined; yet iGaming's 11.6% rise to $272 million and sports betting's 22.8% jump to $87.6 million underscored online's pivotal role in New Jersey's advancing gambling market. As April 2026 progresses with promising early signals, these figures signal a maturing industry where digital firepower complements physical charm, setting the stage for what's next in this ever-evolving resort hub.