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), Stockton University 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.