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New Jersey iGaming Crosses $1 Billion in Record Time as April Gaming Revenue Hits 12-Year High

Online casino win outpaced brick-and-mortar for the eighth straight month, while Atlantic City posted its strongest April since 2012 and sportsbooks grew revenue nearly 13% year over year.

Category: iGaming News - USA · By Growl Games Editorial Team · Tue May 19 2026 · Updated Thu Jul 23 2026

New Jersey iGaming Crosses $1 Billion in Record Time as April Gaming Revenue Hits 12-Year High

Table of Contents

1. Story at a Glance

New Jersey's Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) reported total gaming revenue of $600.8 million for April 2026, a 12% jump versus April 2025 and the state's highest April figure in more than a decade. Year-to-date iGaming win has already crossed $1.05 billion, the fastest the state has ever reached the 10-figure mark. Every segment — internet gaming, in-person casino, and sports betting — posted double-digit year-over-year growth.

2. iGaming Hits $1 Billion Faster Than Ever

Online casinos generated $263.1 million in April, up 11.9% year over year and the third-best monthly result on record. Through four months, iGaming revenue has reached $1.05 billion, 15.1% ahead of the same period in 2025 and on pace to challenge $3.15 billion for the full year. iGaming win has now beaten Atlantic City's physical casinos for eight consecutive months. The segment also delivered $52 million in gross revenue tax plus $6.6 million in Investment Alternative Tax, sending $58.6 million back to the state from online casino alone in April.

3. Atlantic City's Strongest April Since 2012

Despite being outpaced by online play, Atlantic City's nine casinos posted in-person gross gaming revenue of $235.6 million, up 11.7% year over year and the city's best April in 14 years. Slot machines produced $169.4 million (+4.4%) and table games surged 35.7% to $66.2 million. Every property reported growth in either slots or tables, with five operators growing in both. Borgata led the floor at $67 million, followed by Hard Rock Atlantic City at $45.3 million.

4. Sportsbooks Up 13% Despite Lower Handle

New Jersey sportsbooks reported $102.1 million in gross revenue for April, a 12.8% year-over-year gain on $934.2 million in handle. While handle dipped below the $1 billion mark hit in January and March, an 11% hold — well above April 2025's 6.6% — drove the revenue increase. Year-to-date sports wagering revenue stands at $370.5 million, 3.6% ahead of last year.

5. Operator Leaderboard

FanDuel remained the dominant operator in both verticals. FanDuel Casino led iGaming with $58.9 million in April, almost $17 million clear of the field, while FanDuel's sportsbook took $39.7 million for a 25% year-over-year revenue gain. DraftKings Casino held second place in iGaming at $41.9 million but slipped 10.6% versus April 2025. DraftKings sportsbook was up 15% to $25.7 million. Fanatics moved into third place in year-to-date sports betting revenue, while BetMGM and bet365 each closed in on the $9 million April mark. Hard Rock Bet, meanwhile, disclosed that its largest New Jersey progressive jackpot has climbed past $1.5 million.

6. What It Means for the Industry

The April data reinforces three trends shaping U.S. online gambling. First, the structural shift toward iGaming continues: New Jersey is the bellwether, and its sustained $250 million+ months strengthen the case for legalization efforts in New York, Illinois, Maryland, and Virginia. Second, payment policy is tightening — Caesars stopped accepting credit card deposits in New Jersey in May, joining a broader industry move, and Ohio's regulator has proposed a similar ban. Third, competitive pressure on Atlantic City is building: three full-scale casino resorts are scheduled for New York City, and a potential Caesars-Fertitta deal could force a sale of one of Caesars' Atlantic City properties. For now, the New Jersey market is the strongest single advertisement the regulated iGaming industry has for itself.

7. Sources

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