LIGHT Comments on the January 2026 DGE Report

Comments from Jane Bokunewicz, faculty director of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism (LIGHT), �鶹��ý��վ School of Business, on the January 2026 numbers released Tuesday, February 17, 2026 by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement: 

Despite a span of brutal cold and severe winter weather across the region, Atlantic City casino operators realized a fairly strong month of brick-and-mortar gaming revenue for January 2026. Operators’ total Gross Gaming Revenue for the month also continued a growth trend propelled by internet gaming revenues.

For the third consecutive month (and the eighth time since inception) internet gaming gross revenue surpassed brick-and-mortar revenue to claim 48.1% of total revenue share. Sportsbooks (online and retail) represented 12.2% of revenue while traditional land-based gaming accounted for just 39.7%.

With the January 2026 report, the Division of Gaming Enforcement debuted a new gross revenue summary table, the “Internet Gaming Win and Online Sportsbook Gross Revenue Summary.” For the first time we are getting a clearer (more accessible) view of the business dynamics of different online-based brands. Statewide, there are only two “Casino Brands” – operations where the casino recognizes all of the gross revenues – and these brands accounted for just 2.3% of the total market share. The majority of online-generated revenue in the state (67.6%) was realized by “Third-Party Brands” – entities that contract with casino or racetrack licensees for market access. 

Internet gaming continues to grow in popularity among gamblers, and as it more frequently surpasses brick-and-mortar gaming revenues on a monthly basis it becomes more important than ever as a revenue stream. With casinos often relying on third-party operators to manage their internet gaming sites, it seems that much of the benefit of this growing segment is experienced outside of Atlantic City.