Atlantic City casinos, once again buoyed by strong online gambling revenue, saw their second straight year of revenue increase in 2017 winning $2.66 billion from gamblers.
The $2.66 billion brought in by the seven casinos is a 2.2 percent increase over 2016, according to figures released by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. Most of the increase can be traced to a 25 percent increase in online gaming revenue, which was at $225 million for the year.
Land-based revenue, however, was also up 0.3 percent over 2016, the first time since 2006 the city reported a yearly increase.
“Every single casino won more, and every internet operation reported increased win last year,” said James Plousis, the new chairman of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission. “Total internet win had its fourth straight year of double-digit increases. It shows an industry that is getting stronger and healthier and well-positioned for the future.”
The Borgata casino continues to lead the market and won more than $800 million from gamblers last year. Its winnings were up 4.4 percent over last year, according to an analysis by the Associated Press.
The Tropicana, which almost closed in 2007, is now the No. 2 casino in the market bringing in $390 million, an increase of 14.6 percent.
Harrah’s was next at $363 million, an increase of 1.6 percent, followed by Caesars at $325 million (up 7.6 percent); the Golden Nugget at $288 million (up 14.4 percent); Bally’s at $211 million (up 0.1 percent); and Resorts at $190 million (up 10 percent), according to the AP.
The Golden Nugget finished first in internet gambling revenue with $68.5 million. The Borgata, Caesars Interactive-NJ, Resorts Digital and Tropicana had online revenue ranging from $42.5 to $48.5 million.
The report also showed that casino revenue for the month of December 2017 was down by 0.5 percent to $206.9 million, the AP reported. The decline was attributed to lower win at gaming tables where revenue was off 8 percent to $53.8 million.
